For rooms up to 620 square feet, this air purification system features two-stage HEPASilent technology that captures 99.97-percent of 0.1 micron particles, including allergy-provoking pollen grains, dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander particles. Particles that a HEPA filter alone might miss are captured with an electrostatic charge. HEPASilent technology moves particles through an enclosed ion chamber, which attaches a charge to the particle itself. Charged particles cling more easily to the filter media, resulting in higher filter efficiency overall. Because most electrostatic air cleaners charge the filter media itself, the charge dissipates over time and renders the filter less efficient. By constantly charging incoming particles, instead of the filter, HEPASilent technology keeps on working effectively. The air purifier's HEPASilent filter technology is geared towards a more environmentally friendly design as well. Its nontoxic polypropylene filter contains millions of ultra-thin fibers that trap tiny particles as they pass through the pleats. One of the least harmful plastics for human health and the environment, polypropylene works without outgassing or shedding irritating microscopic fibers into the air. Because polypropylene is waterproof, the filter resists contamination from bacteria, viruses, and mold naturally, without chemical additives. And as used filters are discarded and decompose, the filter media converts into harmless carbon dioxide and water.
Not only does the unit clean air with environmentally friendly filters, it's HEPASilent filter technology also allows for extremely quiet operation. On the lowest setting, the unit emits no more sound than a desktop computer. With its HEPASilent filter technology, particles are trapped with both mechanical and electrostatic filters so that in combination, the two filters create a filter system through which air flows freely and the fan doesn't have to work so hard. The unit's design is also geared towards quiet operation with its noise-muffling steel housing. Not only quiet, but the air purifier is energy efficient as well, costing about the same amount to clean indoor air as it does to power a light bulb--15 watts on low to 95 watts on high.
The air purification system operates quietly, efficiently, as well as inoffensively. Instead of discharging a windy stream of filtered air, the unit diffuses air gently through an area six times greater than the average air cleaner. Its SurroundAir system achieves peak performance without annoying drafts by drawing in dirty air from the sides and bottom, moving it through a less dense filter media, and releasing clean, filtered air from the sides and top. Operating on its lowest setting, the system produces virtually no noticeable draft, while still providing an exceptional air exchange rate.
The air purifier features a sleek, contemporary, Swedish design and is easy to use and maintain. Simply plug it in, select the speed setting, and it is ready to go, with a bright blue power "on" light to show that it's working. The grilles and powder-coated steel exterior are easy to wipe clean, and when the filter needs to be replaced (twice yearly), just open the lid, lift out the old filters, and drop the new ones in. Choose the optional SmokeStop filter kit for better protection from smoke and other airborne gases. This quiet, efficient, easy-to-use air purifier measures 26 by 20 by 13 inches and carries a 10-year warranty. --Catie Unger
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Best Purifier I Have Ever Used
I have tried many types of purifiers over the years. My allergies would always lay me out and severely impact my quality of life. After becoming disillusioned by the Honeywell HEPAs and the Orek (eegads never buy the Orek!!!!!) I started a very detailed research project.
Consistently, the BlueAir purifiers were at the top of every review and recommendation list. The only things beating them out were either attached to a house (I live in an apartment) or over $800. While the BlueAir itself is not cheap, I decided that my health was not worth saving the few hundred dollars another Honeywell would save me.
It was the best $500 I ever spent.
It runs quiet, it moves huge volumes of air and the filters are obviously doing their job. My allergies have subsided to a point where I no longer take meds!
The unit has 4 speed settings, the lowest being called "HEPASilent" which is barely audible, and the highest being much too loud to use during sleep. I find the 3rd setting to be the best performance to noise ratio. I can sleep perfectly fine at this level and I am a fairly light sleeper.
The unit can be heavy for lifting purposes, but comes on casters so you can easily wheel it around to different rooms.
If I had any gripes about this purifier, it would be the lack of a pre-filter. The unit essentially sucks air from the bottom and shoots it out the top, front, and back. Dust accumulates on the metal housing frame and must be cleaned during each filter change. Cleaning the housing can be a tad difficult unless you have a very slender vacuum hose.
The other potentially annoying thing is the fairly bright blue power light on the side. I hardly even notice it after over a year of use.
[Monday, January 21, 2008]
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It's The Best, Shop For Price
The unit that runs these filters is top notch. Just be sure and shop around for a great price and bundle it up on Amazon with all your purchases for that great Free Shipping - which all the other web store fronts charge and can make filter buying very profitable for them and ridiculous for you!
[Tuesday, January 08, 2008]
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Ok for Light Smoking
I bought the 402 with the Smokestop filter as I smoke about 3 cigars a week in my apt in the wintertime. This model is good enough for my purposes, but if you smoke more than that I'd suggest the 501 instead.
As others have noted, the 402 is silent on settings 1 and 2 and produces about the same amount of noise as a tower PC fan on setting 3. Setting 4 is noisy so I switch to that setting just before I leave for work if I've smoked the night before. When I return at the end of the day there us usually little or no smoke smell.
I'd estimate the Smokestop filter to contain about 3 pounds of activated charcoal. Much more than the thin layer found in most filters.
The unit itself is very well constructed and for an air filter it looks stylish. Access to the inside for the occasional vacuuming and filter change is extremely easy (large hinged side door).
[Thursday, December 13, 2007]
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