Airpura P600 Air Purifier Review

Well, after spending a week using my biochemistry textbook for a pillow, I don't know if these claims can be substantiated.

But Airpura P600 is a genuine contender in the VOC toxic chemical arena, where many poseurs lurk.

Let's examine the filter stack.

Pre-filter

Housed in a perforated metal cage, a vacuumable pre-filter covers 570 sq. in.

This blanket wrap filter is said to be 1" deep, a very substantial mesh blanket prefilter.

Users are encouraged to vacuum this filter, using a soft brush attachment, through the mesh cover, once a month.

Prefilter life is projected at 12 months.

Big Iron: Carbon for Chemicals

Two unbleached pesticide-free "Micro-Suppress" cotton filter-wraps enclose the carbon canister.

These are claimed to reduce microbes on contact and keep carbon dust in the canister.

These are replaced with the carbon filter.

P600 comes with real carbon. A whopping 18 pounds of coconut shell activated carbon.

Custom configurations are available, with more carbon or special blends. Airpuras have 13 inch round, 2 inch thick carbon beds with 570 sq in exterior surface area to adsorb (not absorb) airborne chemicals and odors.

Carbon filters are the most difficult to assign change intervals: filter life will vary enormously depending on conditions. Airpura Industries recommends new carbon filters at least every 24 months with normal use.

Smokers or pets indoors require very frequent chemical filter changes. The photocatalyst, which also processes chemicals, is necessarily placed after the carbon in this design.

Painting a room or furniture and quickly installing an air purifier can ruin a carbon filter in as little as 30 days.

Properly Sealed HEPA

A significant emphasis of this site is placed on filter bypassing. Many cheaper air cleaners are deliberately designed to let air leak past filters. This prevents warranty claims for burned out motors on machines with clogged filters.

Airpuras do NOT have a bypassing problem.

While the particle counter tests noted above are from user reviews, they lend credence to the company's claims of tight gaskets and seals.

The HEPA filter has a generous 40 sq ft HEPA surface area.

Warm rolled to prevent cracking, with 10 pleats per sq in, and spacers to prevent folds compressing together, this is a quality HEPA installation.

Four screws secure the metal bottom plate, creating a tight seal against zero out-gas felt (not silicone) gaskets.

HEPA replacement intervals of 3 to 5 years in normal use are recommended (smokers or pets more often).

Powerful Ultraviolet

UV has become a cliche in the air purification business, with weak 6-Watt, $15 ultraviolet bulbs being added to many low priced air cleaners.

For UV to fulfill its germicidal promise, the lamp must be powerful and the exposure time relatively long. Most low powered UV installations just keep bacteria from breeding in the accumulated bug remains in the filter.

Airpuras have a 20 watt, 17 inch U shaped lamp, outputting an impressive 30,000 Microwatts/sec/square centimeter exposure on the germicidal wavelength of 253.4 nanometers.

UV l lamps are slated for replacement after 10,000 hours, about 13 months with continuous use, even though they may still emit light.

For a refresher on UV air purifiers: UV Purifier Basics

Airpura Photocatalyst

Airpura’s Titanium Dioxide Photocatalytic Oxidization (PCO) is the basis for the claims of removal for the broad spectrum of chemicals listed above.

A nano-tech fine particle titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating is energized by the UV light, resulting in an oxidation process that attacks molecular bonds, slicing airborne chemicals to smaller, non-toxic subunits.

Carbon dioxide and water vapor are the main by-products.

The oxidation chamber also destroys biological organisms.

Placed in the core of the machine, the photocat and UV installation is kept clean of debris and residue which can cause lesser titanium dioxide plates to foul.

Dirty photocat plates become ineffective when the UV bombardment is obstructed, and residues can be very annoying to clean.

Placing the photocat after the other filters also allows a slower air velocity, allowing more time for chemical oxidation.

Apura P-600s TitanClean photocatalytic reflectors are projected to last around 18 months.

An optional model ($100 extra), Airpura P600plus features a larger titanium dioxide coated surface area. Even the P600+ HEPA filter is TiO2 coated, tripling the photocat output.

Backgrounder on Photocatalytic air cleaning: Photocatalytic Air Cleaning Primer

No Ozone or UV Emissions

Airpura has gone to some lengths to market an emissions-free air purifier.

They assert that P600 UV lamps are ozone free.

The interior position of the UV installation assures no UV spectrum emissions.

AirPura air purifiers are suitable for use by the immune impaired and those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

A powder coated steel mesh housing reduces plastic vapors.

Felt gaskets do not out-gas.

The motor and other electric components are isolated from the airflow to eliminate motor emissions.

Glues and bonding agents are minimized in filter construction.

Noise and Convenience

Airflow is upward with 360 degree circular uptake and exhaust, reducing drafts.

The variable speed controller allows an extremely quiet 28.1dB(A) at the lowest setting.

While this is very quiet for a big, high pressure sealed HEPA installation, users report limited airflow at this setting. I always prefer noise specifications accompanied by air flow rates.

Airpura's top purifier makes 62.3dB(A) on high, which is just below the average HEPA at 66 dB(A). Again relative quiet for the power.

P600 is 22" high, and 15" in diameter.

Weighing 45 lbs, this machine actually needs the 4 caster wheels, and may be difficult for elderly or ill users to carry between rooms or up stairs.

For US and euro markets, both 115 volt or 220 volt power options are available.

Using 120 Watts on high and 40 on low does not qualify the Airpuras as EPA EnergyStars.

An integrated 1-piece motor and fan assembly reduces vibration issues which are the death knell of many cheaper brands.

Maintenance Costs

Premium products in any industry have high upkeep costs, often hidden from buyers.

Let's estimate annual upkeep based on recommended replacement intervals.

HEPA: $140, divide 3 years = $47/year.
Carbon: $160, divide 2 years = $80/year.
UV lamp: $200, replace annually = $200/year.
Photocat: $230, divide 1.5 years = $153/year.
Prefilter: $13 annually = $13/year.

That yields an estimated $493 yearly in upkeep, plus tax and maybe shipping.

No wonder this is a niche market!

Again, those who have smokers, pets, or have not thoroughly removed pollutant sources from their living space should expect significantly higher dues.

Airpura: Long Warranty

Consistent with the upscale image, Airpura Industries warrants its product for 5 years on parts and 10 years labor for defects in materials or workmanship.

Obvious initial defects must be communicated to the Authorized Dealer where the purchase was made within 10 days to qualify.

Retuns require contacting Airpura Industries for a Return Authorization (RA) number before shipment.

Airpura can be reached at;
E-mail address: info@airpura.com
Phone: 866-505-7872

So What's Wrong with this Picture?

The discussion so far has been very positive, and I'd give the Airpuras some of my highest scores but for one problem.

The Airpuras have no automated controls.

No dust and odor sensors to adjust the speed to ambient impurity levels, thus effectively and efficiently protecting user's health. Manually adjusted settings simply will not be responsive to sporadic pollutant levels we cannot see or smell.

No pressure activated sensors measure the useful life of expensive filters, lamps, and catalyst grids. Users are left guessing whether to buy pricey replacements, while clogged filters fail to protect health.

There is no remote for use in the bedroom. Nobody enjoys getting up at 2 am to adjust the air purifier, which tends to be set very low for the sleeping hours.

Airpura may not have the market mass and engineering depth to quickly produce my automated dream machine without a big price jump.

But I urge executives at the manually controlled western-built premium brands, including IQAir, AllerAir, Clarifier, Austin Air, and Airpura, to notice the parallels to what happened to the US automobile business.

Japanese brands, such as Sharp and Mitsubishi, are gaining purifier market share with slick electronic interfaces.

Chinese knockoffs, offering electronic automation at much lower prices, are flooding the market.

When the Airpura P600 includes advanced electronic automated controls, I'll buy one myself for $1,000. But not until then, and not for a higher price.

Conclusions

Maintenance costs are high, lowering the residual value of these long lasting machines.

AirPurifierPower Rating/Review

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. Clean machine.

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

Score: 10 of 10, photocat plus carbon, very few perfect scores are awarded here for chemical removal.

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

Score: 10 of 10, tight cylinder allows no bypassing.

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

Score: 8 of 10, Users are just guessing at when to replace filters.

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

Score: 7 of 10, filter costs very high, service life long.

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

Score: 10 of 10, at this price, builder needs to provide actual sound-to-throughput measurements

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 warranty, well built, limited market penetration.

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: 9 of 10, premium product but pricey.

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

Score: 10 of 10, little info on manufacturer, but I found no dirt.

10. Airpurifiers are stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenient for consumer use.

Score: 7 of 10, Premium air cleaners need automatic controls, undistinguished round styling, heavy.

AirPurifierPower Numeric Rating;90, very good.

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