Beware of GREEN air filters!

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     So much is being marketed these days to be environmentally friendly, recyclable, sustainable and GREEN.  Now we even have GREEN air filters.  Air filters are by virtue of their function, not environmentally friendly, since their function is capturing toxins or undesirable particles.  In fact, much is being done to contain contaminated filters for proper disposal.  Those containers will be around long after you and I have passed on.  Certainly not biodegradable.

What makes an air filter GREEN?
     When you look at the purpose of a whole house air filter you may wonder if there are any features that would make them GREEN air filters.  Well, there are some features that are environmentally friendly for the Electro Breeze whole house air filter.

  1. The Electro Breeze whole house air filter has a reduced static pressure drop over high efficiency passive filters, which allows for reduction in fan horsepower, and significant ongoing energy savings.

  2. The Electro Breeze media is made from recyclable materials and may be considered recyclable depending on materials being filtered and local ordinances.

  3. Electro Breeze media occupies less space in landfills versus bag, cartridge or rigid box filters.

  4. The Electro Breeze whole house air filter holds many times the dust load of passive filters, media change-outs will be far less frequent, further reducing waste.


The Electro Breeze whole house air filter

Why is there so much confusion about indoor air cleaning?

One word explains it all:

Marketing!

     The confusion is by design.  This makes it easier for you to be duped into buying whatever is being spun.  This site was developed out of the frustration our customers feel when shopping for their asthma air purifier.  No spin!

Types of indoor air purifiers

     Here are the basics about types of air purifiers:

  1. Ionizers produce a charge that causes small particles to attract to each other to form large particles.  Once the particles are large enough, they fall to the ground.  When the particles hit the ground, they discharge and fall apart again.  Any movement in the room sends them airborne again and the cycle starts over.
  2. Ozonators make ozone to eliminate odors and gases.  They are very effective at dealing with odors, but ozone is a lung irritant so it cannot be used when you are around to breathe the ozone.  Also, ozone does nothing to remove particles from the air.
  3. Electrostatic Filters are charged at the factory and then quickly lose their charge in use.  Some materials maintain their charge with the air passing over the fibers, but these are generally low efficiency filters.
  4. Ultra Violet Air Purifiers kill viruses and bacteria but do nothing to eliminate the particles.
  5. Filterless are also called precipitators and are similar to ionizers.  They charge the particles and have plates to attract the charged particles.  These produce ozone as a by-product when they get dirty and need to be washed often.
  6. Air Washer/Purifier is a new idea to incorporate the benefits of a humidifier and an air purifier into one unit.  This is a gimmick that if it did have any effectiveness would need to be cleaned daily and that cleaning would take a strong stomach to endure it.  Also, no testing data on any units so far.  No tests, no proof.
  7. Polarized Media induces a charge into the filter and turns it into a dust magnet.  No bad side effects and very efficient.  Low energy usage.


     One finds out rather quickly that most of the air cleaning systems being sold everyday are unreliable, expensive to install and maintain, less than effective and just plain junk!

What about Allergen filters?

     Did you realize that none of the pleated filters at your corner hardware can filter more than 10% of the particles in your air?  Even the ones called Allergen filters.  Notice they can only filter down to 1 micron.  A micron is one millionth of a meter.  Click here to see how a micron compares to the diameter of a human hair.  Nearly all of the particles smaller than 1 micron are your triggers and, according to the American Lung Association, do the most damage to your lungs.

     Maybe you have noticed that so many of the air purifiers look similar?  Everyone is branding each others products!  Natures Home has a polarized media filter called Micro-Power Guard, it is made by Dynamic then branded for Natures Home.  One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning has also branded the Dynamic.  Electro Breeze produces the brands for: Aeriale, Electro-Filter, and Premier One.  Nearly all of the portable room air purifiers are made in China, then branded for whoever wants to sell them.  Branding is not bad, it just adds to the confusion.

What about reviews and endorsements?

     Many of us think that endorsements and reviews are a sure source of confidence in spending.  Nearly all of those endorsements and reviews are bought and/or show preference for reasons other than better performance.

     If you call the American Lung Association, they will tell you that 3M is a partner in their educational programs.  That is where they get the ALA logo on all of their products.  If you want to put that logo on your product, you have to wait in line for 3M to give it up and the starting price is $250,000.00.
 
     Does this mean that 3M is the only filter producer that meets the ALA standards?  No.  It means 3M bought the rights first.  If you look at the ALA Health House Standards (Guideline 4.13 of the HVAC guidelines at (www.healthhouse.org), you will find that there is a myriad of filters that meet or exceed the standard.  Only one gets the endorsement.

     Consumer Reports does not review the best air purifiers, only the ones that the manufacturers submit for review.  They do a fine job of reviewing, but you will never know how a Mercedes rides if only the U.S. manufacturers submit vehicles for review.

How can I know what I am buying?

     Once again the consumer is left in the dark, wondering if they are spending their hard earned money on something they might have to take back or put up with.
     We have boiled down the aspects of an air purifier to make it simple to shop for your next high value air cleaning system.  You will hear salesmen say that your health is worth all the money you can afford.  We have to agree.  Your health is worth a lot, but you must be reasonable in your spending.


What is a HEPA filter?

     A HEPA filter is a kind of mechanical filter that means it is a  high-efficiency particulate arrestance filter. HEPA was invented during World War II to prevent the escape of radioactive particles from laboratories. To qualify as a true HEPA filter, it must be able to capture at least 99.97% percent of all particles 0.3 microns in diameter, or larger, that enter it.

What Else Should I Consider Before Buying an Air Filtration System?
 
     If your home is heated or air conditioned through ducts, it may be possible to build filters into your air handling system. This has the advantage of the great force with which air will pass through the filter. And it eliminates a space-consuming appliance and an additional sound in your home.

Questions to Ask Before Purchasing an Air Filter

  1. What substances will the cleaner remove from the air in my home? What substances will it not?
  2. What is the efficiency rating of the cleaner in relation to the true HEPA standard?
  3. Will the unit clean the air in a room the size of my bedroom?
  4. How easy/difficult is it to change the filter? (Ask for demonstration.) How often does it have to be changed? How much do filters cost? Are they readily available throughout the year?
  5. How much noise does the unit make? Is it quiet enough to run while I sleep? (Turn it on and try it, even though you will probably be in a noisy place.)


A great asthma air purifier