3M Filtrete Ultra Clean Air Purifier FAP02-RS Review

3M has developed a new advanced electret (passive electrostatic) filter media, based on their years of experience with particle respirators and furnace filters.

Filtrete is a charged (electrostatic) medium, similar to technology proven effective in the the Blueair brand of air purifiers.

Blueair uses active ionization to charge particulate and filters, whereas in the system utilized in the 3Ms the Filtrete filter acquires it's electric charge from friction as air passes by the rectangular shaped fibers.

This method is effective at attracting and holding medium sized particulates, especially pollen, and micron range dust.

The charging of the fibers means that the spacing of these fibers can be wider and still be very efficient, especially on micron sized and larger particles.

But the larger fiber spacing will suffer efficiency losses in the submicron class, the smaller and most dangerous class of indoor particulate pollutants.

This wider spacing reduces resistance, allowing higher air flow through the filter.

It is the high pressure drop that makes quality HEPA air purifiers so loud.

So the lower pressure using an electret filter allows quiet operation.

Electricity costs are reduced.

It seems like the FAP02-RS Ultra Clean Filtrete Air Purifier from 3M might be worth a closer look.

FAP02 and FAP03: "medium" and "large"

3M had introduced a complete line of Filtretes into the overbuilt residential air cleaner market, narrowing the offerings as the economy softened.

But two sizes of Ultra Clean air purifiers, FAP02-RS - AHAM certified for rooms up to 160 square feet - and the very similar, but larger FAP03, - for rooms up to 360 square feet -found some market support.

FAP02-RS is AHAM certified for a Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) of 149 Pollen, 128 Dust, 103 Smoke.

This machine seems targeted at seasonal allergy sufferers - it removes pollen sized particles well.

The average radius of allergy causing pollen is 25 microns, a huge size as par as air purifiers are concerned. Even smaller pollens go 2-3 microns.

More expensive air purifiers focus on much smaller .1 micron sized threats.

And note the weak CADR numbers - after applying the air-purifier-power room size deflator I rate the "medium" sized 3M filtrete air purifier at 120 square feet: for small rooms.

3M Internals: One Trick Pony

A 3-speed fan it is widely reported as being quiet, except for the highest setting. Some users report an annoying hum even at the lowest fan speed, most likely a quality control issue - occasional out of round fans are common in lower priced units today.

The 3M air purifier inhales from the back of the unit and exhausts upward.

The Filtretes have just one filter, there is no prefilter to extend filter life, no screen to catch hair and other large debris.

And no carbon (for odors and chemicals) to slow down the airflow.

Pet owners report filters can get clogged with pet hair rapidly. A couple user reviews say the lifetime of a filter in a house with pets is only about a month.

All electrostatic air purifiers share a common weakness: as particles build up on the charged surface, efficiency diminishes.

With the metal collector plate style electrostatics, Friedrics, Ionic Pros, and Orecks for example, this means frequent collector plate washing.

But for the Filtrete air purifiers, it means frequent filter replacement, with significant performance degradation as the filter ages.

Dual filter reminder systems are provided.

A true filter monitor senses particle accumulation on the filter, lighting a warning light when efficiency is compromised.

Ultra Clean's filter life analyzer's diagnostic cycle operates on high speed only, communicating through flashing lights in the control knob.

There is also a conventional 90 day manual reset countdown timer to que users whose environments have not tripped the analyzer.

Since the dirt is electrostatically bound, vacuuming won't restore the filter's effectiveness, although some users report vacuuming the rear of the filter frequently in an attempt to retain airflow rates.

While I do vacuum several of my cheaper air purifiers, I don't think it will extend filter life in the Filtretes.

Replacement Filtrete filter FAPF02 is manufacturer recommended every 3 months.

Replacement filters are just too expensive.

I found 3M Filtrete Ultra Clean Replacement Filter FAPF02 singles going for $14.99 at filtersfast.com, with six-packs available at discountfilterstore.com @ $79.68 as of 11/15/08.

Accessing and removing the filter is easy, the cover panel pops off and reveals the "furnace filter." Ultra Clean's 15.2x8.9 filter is not a standard Filtrete furnace filter size, so they are not interchangeable.

Some aftermarket vendors have offered cheaper filters in this size, buyers should be aware that these do not match the performance of genuine 3M replacements.

The 3M FAP02 air cleaner measures 16 inches wide by 7.25 inches deep by 22 inches tall - in other words, small. It is easily portable at only 12.5 lbs.

A Limited Recommended Market

I recommend the Filtrete-based 3M air purifiers only for people subject to seasonal pollen allergies or problems with larger dust intrusion. For pollen allergy relief, which calls for sporadic full power burst operations, FAP02-RS Ultra Clean should be installed only in small bedrooms.

Filterete may be worth the filter upkeep costs for these applications.

Filtrete air purifiers are claimed to remove 99.9% of all particulates at the much smaller .1 micron in size that "pass through the filter." But this builder language - typical of low cost, leaky machines - brings up the issue of filter basket sealing - are fine particles bypassing this furnace-type filter?

Dust and pollen are large particles, so with the additional throughput of the looser filters, more can be collected.

But fine particles, the ones which penetrate lungs and enter the bloodstream to contribute to disease-causing inflammation, are another story.

Therefore people with serious or chronic symptoms should not rely on the Filtrete FAP02-RS Ultra Clean as their sole bedroom air purifier.

3M does not claim FAP02s can remove odors and chemicals.

3M marketing does make many marginally correct statements, such as "better dust and pollen capturing capabilities than any HEPA air purifier in its class."

What class? I think they are referring to other purifiers with similar CADR rates.

The company likes to compare it's products to the (former) "leading air purifier," (Sharper Image Ionic Breeze) a notoriously inefficient particle collector.

Most electrostatic purifiers emit ozone, but the 3Ms are claimed to be ozone free. Since the electrostatic charge is passively generated, this is very plausible.

Backed by a Dow-30 Company

A 1-year limited warranty is backed by a substantial company with 15 years of experience in the air filtration industry. 3M has been an innovator for over 100 years.

Whether their Filtrete product, in a very congested market with significant deflationary pressure (China exports), will have a real impact on room air purifier technology, is questionable.

Conclusions

I have seen these "new-in-box" on eBay with buy-it-now listings for $54.95.

There are stories of even cheaper deals at woot.com.

This product arrived at a time when Chinese imports had swamped the air purifier market. The result was a manufacturer's $20 rebate, now expired, and clearance sales at Best Buy.

BigLots had some sporadically, reportedly for $29.95. A visit to my Austin, Tx BigLots failed to produce any.

The point here is; absolutely do not pay the "retail price" of one hundred and fifty bucks for this machine.

Air Purifier Power Rating

Each of ten factors gets up to 10 points, 100 is perfect and very unlikely.

1. First do no harm; minimal out gassing, no ozone.

Score: 10 of 10, every electrostatic air cleaner builder says their ozone levels are "safe", 3M claims of zero ozone seem credible.

2. Serious gas and odor removal is a requirement if health benefits are expected: Units with real carbon VOC capability rank higher.

Score: 4 of 10, absent carbon filter.

3. Quality construction; case, gaskets, seals, and precision fitting eliminate bypassing and assure high efficiency at filtering sub-micron particles.

Score: 6 of 10, furnace filter and marketing jargon suggests leakage.

4. The design maximizes the lifespan of each filter stage by allowing independent filter replacement. Ideally this is combined with electronic filter monitoring.

Score: 10 of 10, filter easy to change, nice filter monitoring system.

5. Unit has long filter life, low maintenance requirements, and reasonable operating costs.

Score: 5 of 10, filters quickly cost more than air cleaner.

6. Purifier produces low noise levels and meaningful air flow rates relative to noise.

Score: 9 of 10, users report majority of units have met builder's low noise target.

7. Manufacturer has a track record, with many units in the field and a reputation for supporting what they sell. Warranty period and average service life are long.

Score: 9 of 10, long established American company, good reputation.

8. Purifier is a value in terms of price/performance ratio. Every price range should be included, “models above $1,200 are best”, while true, is not useful to most consumers.

Score: 8 of 10, be sure to get this well under $100, never pay full suggested retail.

9. No dirt; unit and manufacturer should be devoid of class-action suits, high returns, recalls, consumer complaints, and legitimate negative consumer reviews.

Score: 8 of 10.

10. Unit is stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenientfor consumer use.

Score: 10 of 10.

Air-Purifier-Power Reviews Rating; 79, acceptable when on sale.