Bionaire PERMAtech BAP1500-U Tower Air Cleaner Review

A recurring issue in air purification is filter replacement costs.

Numerous attempts at implementing a permanent filter have been only partially successful, there is always a trade off.

Bionaire PERMAtech air cleaners are one example.

But while some others, notably the Hunter Permalifes and Honeywell IFD series, have failed to meet expectations, at least the Bionaire PERMAtech BAP1500-U performs as advertised.

However, that still leaves lots of room for criticism.

Marketed since 2004, the BAP1500 tower model from Bionaire is near the end of its life cycle, and has a well defined track record.

Fifteen customer reviews at Amazon.com, and five at Epinions.com, average 3 stars. 38 user reviews at Overstock.com average 4 stars.

Many buyers choose the BAP 1500 for its stylish tower design and resemblance to former best selling - but low performing - air cleaner Sharper Image Ionic Breeze.

Low Power

The 1500U has three manually switched fan settings, which pull air through a rear air inlet grill, through the filters and out through a front air outlet.

This seems to appeal to buyers who think an air purifier is a cooling fan.

Tne Bionaire tower is AHAM Clean Air Delivery Rate certified at Smoke 110, Dust 110, and Pollen 110.

This is very weak.

PERMAtech BAP1500-U is AHAM certified for rooms up to 170 square feet.

I say room size and CADR should be roughly equal. So the perma-tech is for very small rooms only.

PERMAtech Filters

Just wash the prefilter in warm soapy water and allow to dry completely.

The main filters, two of them stacked vertically, come next.

A special coating protects the PERMAtech permanent HEPA-type filter, allowing it to be vacuumed rather than replaced. Product literature states that the Bionaires'

"permanent HEPA-type filter is effective in removing up to 99% of airborne particles as small as two microns from the air passing through it."

To naive consumers that sounds acceptable.

For those buying air cleaners to protect their health, as opposed to reducing their vacuuming schedule, it is unacceptable.

"As small as 2 microns" means Bionaire BAP1500U collects only coarse dust!

This is not really an air purifier.

Two microns is an enormous particle size, making the PERMAtech suitable mainly for keeping visible dust from accumulating.

Coarse dust is almost large enough to see with the naked eye, which can perceive particles as small as 18 microns.

Educated air purifier users buy air purifiers to capture particles we cannot see.

Many smokers buy this, noting it "clears the air." Tobacco smoke has particles as small as .01 micron which remain airborne after visible larger smoke has been removed.

Some vendor sites call the BAP1500's PERMAtech a "high efficiency filter," or "HEPA filter."

Neither of these statements are true. This is a hepa-TYPE filter, meaning no standards apply to quality or efficiency.

BAP1500-U PERMAtech removed just 65% of airborne particles in testing at Air-Purifiers-America.com. It ranked 19th of 23 products tested there.

Well, 1500 Bionaire did beat notoriously inefficient Orecks and Ionic Breezes.

Naive users, like the millions who loved Sharper Image Ionic Breeze and Oreck, will marvel at the layer of dust which accumulates before each vacuuming.

They point out the reduction of dust accumulating on furniture as evidence of the BAP-1500Us efficacy. Allergies, especially to larger pollen, will subside when this type air cleaner is used.

Users must clean the PERMAtech filter at least every 3 months - 3 weeks would be better.

A filter service indicator light reminds users to lightly vacuum the PERMAtechs with a crevice tool or brush attachment.

Some users complain about filter discoloration with age, but this is normal.

People have ruined PERMAtechs by using water, cleaners, and detergents trying to clean the Bionaire's filter.

Bionaire does sell replacements for filters damaged during cleaning.

A common problem with cheaper air cleaners is bypassing. Loose fitting filters are designed to allow cooling air, required by cheap motors, to slip by.

Since the PERMAtechs are so porous, a loose fit is unnecessary. Instead, designers provided a clever system of clips that hold the BAP1500U's filter and its lip against the housing.

However, this air cleaner has the same problems as leaky bypassers. After a couple months, unhealthy fine dust will be found everywhere inside and around the BAP1500-U Tower.

User reviews report layers of fine particles coating the internal surfaces and fan, as well as nearby furniture, carpets and drapes.

Not the Quietest

Considering the very low power, the Bionaire tower is pretty noisy.

User reviews say BAP1500 is very noisy on the high setting.

Below that user experience varies widely. The reason is poor quality control on the Chinese assembly line.

Buzzing noises and vibrations are common but not universal.

Some astute buyers have found plastic flash - thin layers of extra plastic extruded from the mold - causing the unbalancing of fans or clicking sounds like playing cards on bicycle spokes. This flash can be trimmed and wobbly fans can be squeezed back into shape to reduce rattles and vibration.

Ionizer

A prominent feature of the Bionaire PERMAtechs is the Ionizer. This is user switchable, a light will illuminate to show negative ions are being emitted.

Bionaire's literature states that the air cleaner meets ozone emission limits of 50 ppb. This is the FDA standard for "medical devices."

There is no standard for air purifiers. Zero ozone or very close is the only acceptable routine ozone emission from an air cleaner.

Users report "weird smells," when the ionizer is running.

Cheap ionizers also make toxic oxides of Nitrogen and partially oxidized chemicals, like aldehydes.

Since the PERMAtech filter is so porous, the outside of the Bionaire tower acts like a dust magnet.

Product literature warns of a black wall and carpet effect, especially when running the ionizer with dirty filters.

Oscillating Air Purifier

Many buyers will be attracted to the Bionaire tower's oscillating design "for improved air circulation."

Oscillation is useful for cooling fans and has zero value in air purifier applications - the clean air is delivered at exactly the same rate with or without the swivel feature.

This is a marketing gimmick aimed at the least informed air purifier consumers.

The oscillator is reported to have an annoying click when it reverses direction. Several user reviews note difficulty falling asleep while the air cleaner is moving.

BAP1500-U Tower: Stylish

Black with silver accents, the BAP1500-U accentuates style over substance.

It does fit where many boxier models would not. Roughly 11 inches by 8 by 30 inches tall, and weighing under 11 pounds, a rear handle makes it easily portable.

But the Bionaire is no energy star, using 50/90/150 Watts on the three speeds.

A handy remote control is included.

Corporate and Warranty

Jarden Consumer Solutions (JSC), Boca Raton, FL, owns Bionaire and the very similar Holmes air cleaner brand.

JSC is a subsidiary of Fortune 500 and NYSE listed Jarden Corporation (NYSE:JAH).

Jarden Corp. was included in BusinessWeek's list of "The World's Most Influential Companies" in 2008.

Bionaire warrants the BAP1500-U for five years.

The Holmes Group, Inc.
Consumer Service Department
13052 Jurupa Avenue
Fontana, CA 92337
www.bionaire.com
Call 1-800-253-2764 for warranty inquiries.

Made in China with multiple quality issues, BAP1500 even has listings on fixya.com, which seldom carries any air purifier reports.

Fixya Reports Bionaire 1500 issues

While Holmes/Bionaire does replace defective BAP1500Us, customer service is slow to communicate.

Conclusions

Bionaire BAP1500 is recommended for seasonal pollen allergy only. Since most pollens are large particles, the Bionaire tower will capture a large percentage, providing some relief during pollen allergy seasons.

Those who suffer from severe allergies or asthma should keep looking.

Demand for the BAP1500 PERMAtechs has peaked, with a price range running from $49.99 to $280.18.

Buyers should not overpay for this air cleaner.

Due to chronic quality issues purchasers are advised to keep the receipt and box in case a return is needed.

Air-purifier-power Review 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: 5 of 10, ozone levels under 50ppb are not "safe."

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

Score: 5 of 10, no odor/chemical control other than ozone.

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

Score: 6 of 10, low quality.

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, 2 filters.

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

Score:10 of 10, low maintenance costs.

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

Score: 6 of 10, high noise to cleaning ratio.

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: 5 of 10, notorious short life expectancy, cheap electronic controls prone to failure.

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: 7 of 10, be sure not to 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: 6 of 10.

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

Score: 10 of 10, tower design, handy remote, easy interface.

Bionaire PERMAtech BAP1500-U Tower Air Cleaner Review Rating; 68,