Re: IQAirs: HealthPro Plus, GC AM, and H13

I've now had the IQAir purifiers up and running for a month now and so I have sufficient experience to attempt a review.

While it's too soon to judge the effects, it's not too soon to write up the preliminary findings.

IQAir Product Line Review

There are a number of reviews about the IQAir purifier already online such as the ones at http://www.air-purifier-power.com/ so I'm mostly going to cover what they don't. I haven't tried every model and accessory.

IQair stand alone air purifiers are modular systems consisting of a base, a diffuser at the top, and a varying number of segments in between containing the various filters and motor. There are two clamps to hold the segments and diffuser to the base, and a control panel embedded into one of the clamps.

A remote control is also included. The differences between the many models are in the types and number of filtering levels, number of segments which make some shorter or taller than others, the colour and the length of clamps. IQair also makes a number of accessories for the IQAir purifiers, a whole house air filter, a filtering hood, and a three particle counters.

The particle counters measure six particle sizes down to 0.3 microns, except for the "Lite" model which only has one level, so they don't report the smaller more harmful particles. At a cost of two to three IQAir purifiers the particle counters cost more than I want to pay for curiosity. It would be well worth the cost if you are using the purifier in critical conditions and didn't need to know about the smallest particle sizes. More sensitive particle counters are available from other makers at two to three times IQAir's prices (just in case your money is burning a hole in your pocket).

The whole house air filter uses a number of thin filters which should trap most dust. It doesn't appear to be as effective as the stand- alone units because there is no carbon or HEPA filtration. Still, in a new house or a house where the ductwork is to be replaced it should keep the ducts dust free for a very long time and prolong the life of the other air purifying units' filters. Just don't expect it to filter gas or anything but the larger particles. Some folks might choose the whole house filter because the appearance of a stand-alone air purifier is objectionable--they do stick out like a computer beside an altar.

The stand alone air purifiers come in models GC, GCX, Dental, Cleanroom, and HealthPro. Each model has at least two variations, making the choices bewilderingly large.

GC and GCX:

The GC varies from other IQAir purifiers because it has four filter cylinders containing what looks like charcoal combined with various chemicals to remove the particular kind of gas you want to control. There is a fabric sleeve that goes on over the filter cylinders that you have to install before using. This sleeve keeps the charcoal granules from flying out the diffuser. The documentation lists this as a filtering level but because it doesn't really filter anything but the filtering material I call it half a level. Some types of canister filter media are corrosive so latex gloves are included with those cylinders. There is also a pre-filter to remove dust and particles.

Some IQAir purifiers that use the filter cylinders apparently use a different cylinder mounting system because the filter cylinders come with a light grey ring on the bottom. At least for the GC AM, you have to remove this ring before installation. The cylinders are shipped in a separate box from the IQAir unit. The documentation indicates that this is to protect the cylinders from transit damage, but I suspect it's really to reduce inventory in case there is a run on one kind of system that month.

The GCX is identical to the GC except that the filter cylinders are much taller making the GCX eight segments tall rather than five. The GCX is most suitable for industrial sites with very high pollution levels.

Once the initial purchase is made, you can change the filter cylinders to a different type--the literature doesn't tell you this, but it's pretty obvious that the only difference between the various GC models is in the type of filter canisters. You could even order multiple types of filter canisters and install a combination to adjust the system for your conditions. I doubt you can mix and match when you order but you might be able to trade with another IQAir user who's needs are opposite yours.

The GC(X) comes in four flavours based on the active ingredients in the charcoal canister and the chemical you want to remove.

GC VOC: Filters out VOCs, ozone, some ammonia, and some formaldehyde. The GC VOC filters out more VOCs than the GC Chemisorber according to the chart on the IQAir website.

I have a GC AM in the living room to remove any cat odours. Works like a charm although I had to keep it down to speed two or three because the outgassing fragrance can become overpowering. After a month I could turn it up to speed four. According to the quality control certificate the GC doesn't filter out as many particles as the other IQAir filters. (99.7% vs 99.9%).

Dental Series:

The Dental series is similar to the GC except for the clamp colour and the chemicals filtered which are: mercury, formaldehyde, alcohol, solvents, and plasticizing agents. There is a vacuum model, yes it really has a monster hose attached, so you can point the intake right at the source of the contaminants.

Although the Dental series is designed to be used by dentists and related medical professions, it might also be used by artisans working with dangerous substances.

Cleanroom H13:

The H13 has a pre-filter and a HEPA filter. Both filters are much larger than on any other model and take up two segments each making the unit six segments tall. I have one of these in the computer room where dust elimination is the primary concern. Bacteria and virus are also filtered. Tamper resisting hardware is included but if you install more than the cord holder, filter changing will be a real pain--especially if you lose those Torx wrenches.

The warranty on the motor for this model is only one year according to the IQAir website. The selling dealer assured me that it was five years but I'm skeptical. With any luck I'll never have to find out.

Choose the H13 if particle control, including very fine particles, is the main goal.

Hospitals, doctors' offices, and computer rooms are the prime candidates for this system. However, it could be used instead of the HealthPro by those who desire a much longer filter change interval.

HealthPro Plus

The HealthPro Plus has a pre-filter, a charcoal filter, and a HEPA filter. I have one of these in the bedroom as a general purpose air purifier. Most reviews found on the web focus on this model so there is not much for me to add.

Choose the HealthPro Plus to control a wide range of particles and gaseous contaminents.

HealthPro

The HealthPro is identical to the HealthPro Plus with the exception that the charcoal filter isn't shipped. It can be upgraded at any time by adding the charcoal filter and changing the settings on the control panel. How to do this is in both the manual and the video.

HealthPro Compact

The HealthPro Compact is identical to the HealthPro except that there is no space to add a charcoal filter later, so it's only four segments high rather than five. I think the idea here is that it will fit under a desk and so provide unobtrusive filtration for your cubicle. It doesn't seem to make much sense in any other situation as it's only a few inches shorter than the HealthPro or HealthPro Plus and can't be upgraded like the HealthPro.

Choose the HealthPro to control particles such as pollen and mold spores in areas where the HealthPro won't fit.

IQAir's Filter Monitoring:

The literature and reviews I've read indicate that the IQAir purifier monitors each filter and correctly indicates when an individual filter need replacing. What the monitoring system really does is keep track of the time each filter is run at each of the various fan speeds and indicates the suggested filter life under average conditions. In other words it calculates the amount of air actually passed through the filters and guesses when it might be time to change. So if the unit is in a relatively clean environment the filters will last longer than the monitor says. If the pollutant level is high then they will not last as long as the monitor says. Unfortunately, this means that adding a coarse dust filter isn't going to increase the life of the filters as shown by the monitor, even though it should increase the life of at least the pre-filter.

Now don't get me wrong, this is still much better than "The filter lasts five years", or a dumb timer that just counts the hours regardless of fan speed, but it doesn't measure the particle count or air quality from each of the filters as is commonly inferred. The H13 manual indicates that a check using a particle counter every six months plus a visual inspection is needed to insure that the filters are operating correctly. It also says to check for noise level--an increase in noise level indicates one or more clogged filters that should be replaced.

IQAir's Noise Level:

You're purchasing some serious air filtering equipment here so noise is to be expected. There isn't any speed that you can't hear. I've found that sleep isn't a problem at speeds one, two, or three. I use setting two in the bedroom.

IQAir's Break-in Odor:

It seemed to me that perhaps there is some "filter lint", for lack of a better term, on these that comes out over the first few days. I could feel my sinuses reacting to it, kind of like they were stuffed with a cold or were breathing really dry air. This cleared up in a week but for the first few days I was wondering if I had made an expensive mistake.

The GC is quite different. There is a strong sweet smell. At first it was so overpowering and I had to turn the setting down to two. After a month I can now turn it up to four and there's no problem. But it still has the sweetish smell which I don't think will ever go away entirely. And I'm sure it will return to being overpowering when the filters are replaced. Now I realize that after about two weeks the nose loses the ability to smell a constant odour. However, during the third week we went on a trip so we came back with "fresh" noses and it was no longer overpowering.

Installing the IQAir:

Most models come with casters which have a poor reputation according to several reviews. It might be possible to install stronger casters with metal posts but then there is the possibility of breaking the housing. I skipped the casters and instead used the IQAir wall bracket--called VMF. Most IQAir resellers are unaware of this item although they all say they have had special training in IQAir products. One reseller did know what it was once I described it but insisted it wasn't called the VMF even though that's what it's called on the IQAir website, hmmm. The VMF allows filter changing without removing the unit from the bracket; even the coarse dust collector can be changed without removal. I've written a full review on the VMF and how to install it at Installing the IQAir Vertical Mount Fixture Kit (bottom of page).

Conclusion:

There's no question that IQAir makes very good air purifying units with models suitable for a wide range of conditions. Choosing the correct one is a little more difficult, especially if you only have the budget for one unit. The quality appears to be top notch and a DVD accompanies most models.

(The H13 only has a manual; presumably health professionals, the market which the H13 is aimed at, are considered to be literate and won't require a DVD).

Chemically sensitive individuals will need to make sure that the GC's outgassing will not cause a problem. One way to get around this is to use a GC and an H13 or a HealthPro Plus in a small closet. The GC would be equipped with an InFlow to bring air in from the room and the H13 would be equipped with an OutFlow to put the filtered air back in. Although I haven't tried this combination in this way, I believe that the outgassing from the GQ would get filtered enough by the H13 to eliminate the problem. I know I can't smell the GC in the room with the H13.

It should be possible to hook up the OutFlow to the InFlow directly, eliminating the need for the small closet. If you try this you might find visitors and guests tending to leave early for fear that the mad scientist living at your house needs additional experimental subjects.

Ed's Reply

Warning: No air purifier can eliminate
all the health hazards associated with
secondhand tobacco smoke. Installation
of an air purifier does not make smoking "safe."
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