Questions and Answers
Part 1: General Air Purifier Questions
Part 2: Air Purifier Technology Questions
Part 3: Allergy Related Air Purifier Questions
Part 4: Name Brand Air Purifier Questions
Part 1 - General Questions:
Q: I have been researching Air Purifiers for a week now, and I have more questions than when I started. I’m confused. Any suggestions?
A: There are many air purifiers on the market because they are profitable. And each technology does something different. Machines come in a combination of 1-10 of those technologies. No one is the best, because the real question is “Best for what”? Mold? Pollen?
5 Steps to choosing the right air purifier:
- Write down your problem: Mold? Allergies? Odors? Pets?
- Take 5 minutes to watch the “Air Purifier Buying Guide” video below to know what each technology does (or watch a specific video that matches your problem).
- Make a list of the technologies you want add as you go. (EX: for pollen allergies you’ll likely be writing “Hepa”)
- Write down the square footage of the room you’re wanting to help.
- Watch the videos to compare the air purifier brands that fit your needs, and your budget.
Q: How can I avoid getting ripped off when buying an air purifier?
A: For me it’s been a matter of education to find a good product, whether it be an air purifier, a juicer, or a computer for that matter. You want to learn the 9 technologies for of all, and what each does to know what you need. The challenge is finding someone sincere and who communicates honestly and sincerely. Watch this video below you’ll know more than most people:
Q: Whats CADR? And do you suggest it as a way to determine effectiveness?
A: CADR stands for ‘Clean Air Delivery Rate” and only relates to how much air blows by a HEPA filter, not how clean or sanitary the air gets. It’s not a very good gauge of air purifier quality or effectiveness since it disregards the 11 other technologies like UV, Tio2 and other ways that clean the air..
Part 2: Air Purifier Technology Questions
- Q: What is UV?
A: UV stands for Ultraviolet Light. Within that light spectrum there is a frequency (often called UV-C, or UVC) proven effective for killing germs, bacteria, viruses etc… If you get sick a lot, or have young children in school, add this to the list
Q: What is T102?
A: This is a new nanotechnology which is used with UV light to magnify its ability (about 100X) to kill germs, viruses, mold, mildew, flu, etc. (nanotechnology = a new way for science to play with, and create new substances from, molecules and atoms that are really, really small.) If you want UV to protect yourself from germs, viruses, I would add this as well.
Q: What is Carbon?
A: Carbon is a substance that, being very porous, can trap gases and chemical fumes. It also works well at trapping smoke. If you live where there is a lot of air pollution, car fumes, factories, or you smoke carbon is a must have.
Q: What about Zeolite?
A: Similar to carbon it has many surface areas and is porous. It can catch gases, etc. But with Zeolite, like carbon, once the gases get trapped that part of the carbon doesn’t trap anything more. You can buy a bag of it on Ebay rather than an expensive filter with it.
Q: What is HEPA?
A: Watch the video below…
Q: What is an Ionizer?
A: This video explains it:
Part 3: Allergy Air Purifier Questions
Q: How did you get rid of your allergies?
A: It was a combination of herbs and diet around the liver back in 1973. I also had several air purifiers going to relieve my immune system while I recovered. I’m working on a book all about it.
Q: Will an air purifier relieve allergies?
A: Yes, most of the time. The keyword however is “relieve” as the air purifier only gets rid of the triggers, not the cause of allergies in the body.
Q: What are the best technologies for allergy symptoms?
A: HEPA primarily for pet and pollen allergies. Carbon for allergies to fumes, cigarettes, and odors. UV and Tio2 for allergies to mold, mildew, and overall immune weaknesses. Ionization for helping the lungs. I suggest as many as possible because allergies are usually a sign of a weak immune system.
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Part 4: Name Brand Air Purifier Questions
Q: What do you think of the Oreck?
A: It’s an Electrostatic Machine with washeable plates, a small carbon filter, and ionization, and no HEPA. So it will do some odors, smoke and pollution but won’t do much for dust or pollen since they have little if any electrical charge. Very overpriced for electrostatic and such a small machine. The carbon filter replacements (yes, you do have to change a filter despite what they say on TV) are very small yet expensive.
Grade: C
Q: How about IQAIR?
A: 2-technology. Very well made (Swiss) and good if you have a very chronic immune system problem. HEPA and a large carbon cylinder. (Why no UV?) For most people it’s a bit expensive ($800 plus) when you’ll get as muchfor $300.
Grade: B
Q: Austin Air?
A: 2-technology. HEPA and Carbon/Zeloite. Very well made (The last US made air purifier unfortunately) and like IQAir good if you have a very chronic immune system problem and need the best HEPA. About $450 for their low end model.
Grade B+
Q: What air purifier do you like?
A: While I have suggested some of the units on the market I was never satisfied with their performance. I wanted every technology, at a reasonable price, and the latest technology, plus a brushless motor so it would last long and run quiet (I love my sleep). Was I asking too much? The Alive Air Purifier below was exactly what I always wanted….
Grade A++
more about the Alive Air Purifier….
Alive Air Spec Sheet and Specific Questions
Here’s the 9-technology Alive Air Purifier Spec Sheet….
$40.00
Do you send a shipment tracking notification? I ordered several days ago and haven’t seen anything. If there is going to be an extended delay, I need to know that so I can make alternative arrangements.
I would like to know if you ship to Canada or u have a place in Canada (Montreal) where i can buy it and your free shipping is still good for Canada or the states only
Thank you
Regards
1). I live in Singapore and wonder you deliver to Singapore and if so, what are the shipping charges. 2). Secondly, can you confirm that the only things that need to replace are the hepa filter and UV bulb? What is your 5-year warranty on, parts and filters? 3). What is the air change per hour (for my bedroom i. e 350 sqy ft)? 4) Does the oxidation and ionization of the UV/TiO2 and photocatalyst plates emit ozone.
Hope to hear from you soon as I urgently need one.
HI,
Unfortunately we don’t ship to Singapore. The expense is huge. You do change just the HEPA and UV bulb..
It does not emit ozone.
The 5-year limited warranty is available (the details ) on aliveairpurifier.com (link at the bottom for warranty).
The exchange on 350 would be 3-4 times.
Blessings
I’m having one of ur staff send you the link to our Canadian store… you can email us at aliveair@mchsi.com (if you don’t get it… Thanks
Yes.. It may take a day or two before FedEx emails you their tracking info… even if the unit is already on it’s way… Thanks for asking
Rich, I’ve read that the carbon filters in purifiers need to be replaced. How is Alive Air different? Do you sell a carbon filter separately, and how often would it need to be replaced? How often does the Hepa filter need to be replaced?
HI Charles,
We include the carbon for free in the replacement HEPA filters (an affordable $29) . We did this to 1) save our customers money and 2) the carbon (on average) lasts about as long as the HEPA.
Thanks for asking!
Mark
CEO
Thanks Mark. I’ve purchased an Alive Air Purifier and will test drive it.
Can you comment on the following new air purifying technology coming out of Japan?
http://sharp-world.com/plasma_c/features/index.html
Great question. The “Plasma grid” is the same as electrostatic - basically positive and negative ions. The Alive Air has an electrostatic “grid”, others have electrostatic “plates”. All basically the same and this “plasma” version has been around for some time.
Where in a living room is a good placement ? Does it need to be up off the ground ?
Thanks
Hi David,
Because it draws air in the front, and shoots it up the back, the placement is not critical. It also does not have to be off the ground. Just have the front of it in a location where it faces the center of the room unobstructed by furniture. (backed against a corner of room or against a wall is fine)
Hi Katie,
All info is on the aliveair.com website (aliveairpurifier.com is another site).
email: aliveair@mchsi.com
Resetting the cleaning light is easy. Shut the unit “off”. Put a paper clip into the rest button on the far right and push the “Timer” big button at the same time. You’ll hear a beep and it is reset. or watch the video here: http://www.aliveair.com/instructions
Are you able to ship to Vancouver,Canada? I was in the process in buying one but I couldn’t change the “Country” shipping address to Canada…
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