Q:Why should I be concerned about
indoor air quality?
Today’s homes are sealed tight to shelter us efficiently from
the cold and heat, unfortunately, the result is poor air circulation
and infrequent changes of air.
Our indoor air contains minute particles such as dust mites, pet dander,
pollen and mold spores that can cause, or exacerbate health issues
such as asthma, allergies and other respiratory conditions. In addition,
many of today's cleaning products, furniture, carpets and building
materials release chemicals, which are hazardous to our health.
A high efficiency air cleaner will alleviate these problems by circulating
the air through a series of filters that trap these toxins and remove
them from the air you breathe. It is important to buy an air cleaner
with the capacity to trap particles and chemicals, gases and odors.
Many people are disappointed when they bring home an off-the-shelf,
mass-market unit that is only effective for particles and not odors
and airborne chemicals.
An AllerAir air purifier is an investment that can help you, your
family and employees live longer, healthier lives and avoid the distress
of respiratory problems and expensive medical treatments. |
Q: What filtration technologies
are available on the market today?
There are several methods of air cleaning currently being marketed
to consumers including electrostatic particle filters, ozone generators,
ultraviolet lamps, HEPA filters and activated carbon filters.
The issue with many of these technologies is that they only combat
part of the problem.
The advantage of AllerAir air purifiers is that they combine True
HEPA filtration for particles with the power of activated carbon to
trap chemicals, gases and odors, offering you enhanced, complete air
filtration without generating ozone. |
Q: What are the advantages
of using carbon filters instead of a cheaper electrostatic filter?
Electrostatic filters help in collecting dust particles.
An activated carbon filter combined with HEPA does much more. It traps
chemicals, gases, odors AND particles |
Q:What does High Efficiency
Carbon mean? What are the differences between this, and other carbon
varieties?
The High Efficiency Carbon exclusive to AllerAir, is carbon which
does not have any odor, a very important aspect for people with MCS
or those sensitive to smells.
The carbon used in AllerAir units is also “virgin” carbon,
which means it has never been used before, and has not been recycled
|
Q: You offer an UV option.
Does it produce ozone? Should I be worried ?
The UV lamps used in AllerAir Air Purifiers are classified as non-ozone
producing generator lamps.
All electrical devices produce a quantity of ozone, but the level
produced by AllerAir's germicidal lamps is well below the allowable
standards.
Choosing the UV option will offer protection against airborne pathogens
and bacteria. |
Q: What is a True HEPA
Filter?
A True HEPA filter is guaranteed to trap 99.97 % of airborne particles
as small as 0.3 microns. |
Q: I recently discovered
signs of mold in my basement. What should I do?
An air purifier with UV can be a powerful tool in combating airborne
mold spores, however, it is always advisable to call a professional
to assess any serious mold problems.
Keep in mind that mold spores will not grow without moisture –
therefore if you discover mold, immediately address the underlying
cause.
If you simply clean up the mold, but don't address the underlying
problem the mold with most likely grow back |
Q: What is
MCS?
MCS is a condition whereby the suffer is unable to tolerate toxins
in their everyday environment, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms,
including:
Respiratory difficulties
Digestive problems
Skin irritation
Headaches
Loss of concentration
Fatigue
Dizziness
Anxiety
Depression
There are currently thousands of possible chemical culprits that
could trigger or aggrevate MCS, which is what makes treatment often
very difficult. Here are some of the more common household chemicals
thought to affect or trigger MCS:
Solvents (paint, glue etc.)
Bleach, detergents, cleaning products
Anything scented (most air fresheners, perfume etc.)
Personal care products (hairspray, skin cream etc.)
Pressed wood furniture
Computer equipment and printers
Plastic
|
Q:Why are your residential
models cylindrical?
Yes. The major pollutants released by wood stoves and fireplaces are
carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particles.
At high concentrations carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can cause
a range of symptoms including headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea
and fatigue, irritation of the mucous membranes in the eye, nose,
and throat and shortness of breath. The particles meanwhile, will
cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, and can aggravate respiratory
conditions. |
Q:Why are your residential
models cylindrical?
AllerAir residential air purifiers are cylindrical in order to maximize
airflow.
In square units, stale air can collect in the corners. |
Q: How many changes
of air per hour are your air purifiers capable of?
That depends on the unit, the size of the space and the amount of
obstacles in the room (i.e. furniture).
To accurately calculate air changes we use a very specific calculation:
AEH=CFM/RV
where
AEH = Air exchanges per hour;
CFM = The cubic feet per minute capability of the unit
RV = Room volume = (height x width x length) x fill
factor*
*The fill factor is a number derived from the amount of obstacles
in your room.
Therefore if your room were 30% full than the number used would
be 0.7.
|
Q: Why do you use so
much carbon when other manufacturers only use a small amount?
More carbon means more protection. We offer carbon filters that last
up to 5 years (depending on the environment in which they are used).
We recommend you change them every 3 years for best results.
The life of a carbon filter is proportional with its volume. It acts
as a sponge trapping gases and odors. The mass activated carbon bed
(MAC-B™) filter adsorbs chemicals, gases and odors. (Adsorb:
no it’s not a typo. This is the process by which activated carbon
captures gases and odors.)
Most off-the-shelf air cleaners have a few token ounces of carbon
sprayed on the pre-filter. This is only sufficient to capture a small
amount of the noxious gases and odors in the air.
The MAC-B carbon filter has pounds of activated carbon (from 7 to
160 lbs.) that will trap 90% of the chemicals, gases and odors that
pass through it and will continue working for many years before needing
to be replaced. |
Q: I enjoy smoking cigars
at home. What can I do to combat second hand smoke and odor?
AllerAir manufactures a unit specifically for smokers. It comes standard
with a tar trapping HEPA filter, as well as pounds of activated carbon
to control the chemicals and odors associated with smoking. |
Q: Where should I place
my air purifier for a maximum of efficiency?
Because of its cylindrical shape, you can place it anywhere in your
home. AllerAir air purifiers are on casters for easy maneuverability.
|
Q: How easy is for a
senior citizen to change the filters? Do you provide instructions?
Every unit comes with complete instructions. It is extremely easy
to change the replaceable filters.
A pre-filter can be change in less than a minute simply by pull out
the old one and changing it with the new one.
AllerAir air purifiers are designed so that changing the filters is
an almost effortless process. |
Q:How often should I
change my pre-filters? What about the carbon filter? And the HEPA
filter?
Depending of the application and of the level of dust, the pre-filters
should last for 3 months, after which they can be vacuumed. We supply
pre-filters in packages of 4, 8 or 10.
The HEPA filter should be changed after 3 years, but can work well
for up to 5 years in lower particle environments. |
Q: What does VOC mean?
VOC stands for Volatile Organic Compounds.
These compounds, such as formaldehyde and ammonia are extremely dangerous
for your health. AllerAir produces a specialized line of air purifiers
based on impregnated carbon to deal with these VOC's. |
