Aireox Air Purifiers

Replacement filter: $92.95

Designed for the chemically sensitive (MCS), the 45d Air purifiers by Aireox Research are portable and quiet.The manufacturer claims its 125cfm air recirculation rate will produce 4 air exchanges per hour in a 240 sq ft room.

I think about half that would be a better room size: 120 square feet.

The model 45d air purifiers have an unusual combined filter media; 4.5 pounds of adsorptive carbon and potassium permanganate ("purafil"), ahead of a .5 micron electrostatic particle filter.

Potassium permanganate oxidizer is found in top quality purifiers such as IQAir, and is unusualin this price class. The 45d has 60 % carbon and 40% "purafil."

The 45b model, with 100% carbon, is just 20 dollars less.

Zeolite, which is a cheaper VOC filter material subject to problems, is not used.

The carbon-oxidizer mixture works especially well to reduce airborne formaldehyde.

Aireox D-45 is not a HEPA 0.3 micron spec air purification unit. I worry about those particles below .5 micron that are apparently getting through. The company website has this claim: "100% filtration, no bypassed air." Pretty vague.

Remember, air purifier efficiency is properly expressed as a percentage of particlesof a specific size class captured by the unit. "99.97%@.3 micron"

A website that sells Aireox, www.aircaresystems.com, said: “Our particle count measurements of Aireox efficiency show near-HEPA efficiency.”

If 90% of all particles are smaller than 0.3 micron, what percentage is smaller than 0.5 micron?

Aireox is Designed for MCS

Many HEPA air purifiers use adhesives, subject to outgasing, to close the ends of the pleated paper filter. Aireox air filters are built without sealants.

They use special zero-outgassing cords, long lasting zero-outgassing paint, and sealed motors that do not allow oil or chemicals to escape into the air.

All metal, no plastic, and zero ozone make a pretty good MCS package. MCS users are claimed to tolerate the Aireox D-45 air purifiers with no problems.

Of course, every purifier claims to be the quietest. There are no noise figures on the Aireox site."Quiet enough for the bedroom" is all they say.

Without decibel level tests and extensive consumer feedback, you have to buy it to find out the truth.

The 2-speed sealed motor has no hot exposed motor parts, for safety and long motor life.

D-45 is Compact and portable at 14 inches high by 10 inches in diameter.

Air Filter Costs

Filter change interval is 6 months to a year.

That could make the purifiers filter replacement costs very significant. Twice annual cartridge replacements equal the cost of the unit itself in less than two years.

Power consumption is less than a 75 watt light bulb.

The motor carries a 5-year warranty with 1-year on the switch.Aireox Research has been around since the 1970's, and was among the first to recognize the need for real VOC capability.

I am about neutral on this one. It looks like a good-faith effort by a small company. If the MCS is severe and a current purifier seems to be a problem, this could be worth a try.

I did find one consumer review, which is included, despite my bias against sunny reviews, because the writer is objective and obviously experienced.

“EXCELLENT FILTER; Unusually quiet on High

by kdm1,Jun 26 '05

Pros: VERY QUIET and it helps my asthma quite a bit! It Works.

Cons: Only 2 fan speeds; sort of hard to find its filter.I own quite a few different air purifiers and this little gem is my favorite. Why?

1) It is very quiet at either speed

2) The filter is easy to change

3) Though it has a large intake area, it is pretty small compared to other filters.

4)It has a unique filter that adsorbs VOCs that other filters miss. I've read the company started when the president could not find a filter on the market that would remove the gasses his wife was allergic to.

5)All metal construction; no plastic off gassing

6)The company has been in business since the early 1970s making the same type filter. This is just a list of the highlights. I would not hesitate to buy another of these filters!”

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.

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

Score: 9 of 10

3. Air purifiers have quality construction; case, gaskets, seals, and precision fitting eliminate air bypassing and assure high efficiency at filtering sub-micron particles.

Score: 4 of 10, tight build, loose filters.

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

Score: 5 of 10, combined filters, no monitor.

5. Purifiers have long filter life, low maintenance requirements, and reasonable operating costs.

Score: 4 of 10,

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

Score: 8 of 10, one user review is only data: "very quiet"

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

Score: 9 of 10, 5-year warranty good for price class.

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, good VOC air purifying for low upfront price.

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

Score: 10 of 10, Aireox Research is an old air cleaner company-no dirt.

10. Purifiers are stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenientfor consumer use.

Score: 9 of 10, Compact and portable

Air-Purifier-Power Numeric Rating;76