Neoair Enviro 68108: The Little Engine that Could

That comes out to 180 sq ft for 5.6 air changes.

Air Purifier Power is always more conservative on room size recommendations, see Room Air Purifier: Size Myths Deflated.

I recommend the small Neoair 68108s for medium bedrooms of 160 square feet or less. This would provide over 6 air changes hourly.

Room size ratings, calculated on the basis of high speed operation, must also consider noise. Because 68108 is very quiet, it can run on high more of the time.

Neoair has introduced a "Plus" version, with all the same features, but powered for larger rooms. It retails around $300.

Testing at Air-Purifiers-America.com found Neoair weak relative to pricier cleaners they sell.

Consumers can avoid the underpowered air purifier trap, perhaps the single biggest disappointment in the business, by ignoring vendor and AHAM room size ratings.

So don't expect this small air purifier to effectively clean a big bedroom.

Neoair has Multiple Filters

First, the Enviro's washable pre-filter picks up larger particles of hair, insect fragments, and dust.

A true HEPA filter (99.97% at .3 micron) with an activated carbon component built in comes next. Enviro is not going to be a heavy chemical filter, and users should not install a machine like this where significant chemical pollution is suspected.

Few air purifiers in this very economical class can offer much chemical filtration.

A careful user review on amazon.com points out a major flaw in the design - lack of gaskets and seals to prevent bypassing - and notes fine dust accumulation beyond the HEPA filter. This user has taken to stuffing the cracks around the filter with folded sheets of paper.

I suggest substitution of polyester mesh, similar to prefilter material, available in department store air conditioning aisles, for this purpose. The loose seals are the secret to 68108's low power consumption and noise emissions.

But this is a value-priced product, few air purifiers below $200 are tightly sealed. Loose seals keep pressure drop low, reducing build costs and noise.

I recommend machines in the $350 and up area for allergy sufferers and the ill, most of these will not bypass health robbing fine particles.

Enviro's next stage is Neoairs Organic Fiber Sterilization (OFS) germicidal filter, which is certified by independent labs (in China) as effective against most bacteria and molds.

Purifierideas.com, which sells the 68108 Neoair, had this to say:

"We tested it in our office basement and I could not believe on how effective it was against the molds."

For those who do not already know: I rant at length here and on my blogs about the "Epidemic Century" which lies ahead.

Forward looking consumers are shopping for germicidal capability, which will come in handy if I am right.

So far, Neoair looks like a pretty good under-$200 purifier, but there is more.

Enviro - Strong Ozone Free Ionizer

Enviro's final stage is a low voltage (no arc), carbon fiber brush (not metal pins), negative ionizer.

With controversy raging about ozone spewing ionizers, here is an advanced product with zero ozone.

Cool. I have experimented with ionizers since 1977, and will not be without one.

One problem with many tack-on ionizers, added just for the sales value, is low power. Neoair's Enviro offers a strong 3.5 million/cubic cm ion output. Low voltage, no electrical arching, no ozone, many ions: nice ionizer.

Automated Air Purifier: Enviro 68108

Neoair 68108s have a sensor which detects pollutants and controls the fan speed in response. The electronics boom in China has lowered the costs of these components to the point that this machine could be designed cheaply.

One user notes the sensor knows when baby needs fresh pampers.

Many people will not see the power inherent in automatic purification. Manual air cleaners are loud when they don't need to be, wasting resources. Then they are turned down or off when air gets dirty.

Automated air purifiers idle quietly until they sense a need. This is so much smarter.

Neoair Enviro's LED digital display shows air quality and ion output. A full function remote and timer are included.

Enviro's filter timer displays a light when enough hours are accumulated to need new filters. The company says this will typically be about a year, but smoking or other pollution may shorten this. Neoair filters are economical, with a set of HEPA/carbon and OFS germicidal filters going for about $45.

This gives the Neoair an annual maintenance cost ratio (filter cost to purchase price) over 4!

For those who are not regular readers, this is exceptional. Many inexpensive air cleaners are sold as loss leaders for high priced filter ripoffs.

Maintenance cost ratios under 1, where replacement filters cost more than the purifier, are common in less expensive products. Above 4 is very rare, Sharps and IQAirs, selling much higher, come to mind.

Neoair is Quiet

This bedroom purifier is quiet: 26dBA@135cfm on high.

Wow!

Most people will sleep with 68108 on high.

With noise emissions at 12.74 dBA on low (inaudible) and 18.2 dBA in second gear, this is an air purifier which actually needs the lighted display so users can tell its running.

However, one Neoair user email reports lack of a night-dim feature:

"One feature I wish it had is an ability to dim the display for night/bedtime use as it lights up the room too much."

Power consumption is low at 25 to 39 watts.

Good looking, very compact at 17.8" x 8.4" x 12" and weighing only 10 pounds, this little engine can get around.

Warranty, Company Info

Neoair Industries, LLC has its main distribution center in Miami, Florida. Neoair is a privately held company co-founded by prominent Illinois physician Dr. Keith I. Block.

Though a couple buyers reported slow response times, my calls to Neoair customer service and emails were answered promptly.

Neoair offers a 2 year warranty and will replace, not repair, defective units.

Because Neoair little retail store penetration, new filters are available only on-line.

As of Aug 2008, many websites and eBay sellers offered both the purifiers and filter kits.

Prices, for cleaners and replacement filters, have held flat since the original review two years ago, and several vendors offer two-for $388 deals.

I like this small product; automated, economical, ozone free, near silent, good looking, priced right.

Because Ecoquest, Sharper Image, Oreck, Amway, and others are pushing questionable products priced much higher,I call Neoair 68108 "The Little Engine That Could." Those with sensitivities or other serious health problems should consider higher priced models with quality seals and no fine particle bypassing.

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: 9 of 10, thank you for not ozing.

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

Score: 7 of 10, few under $200 have much VOC capability.

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

Score: 5 of 10, evidence of tight build and efficiency rare under $200.

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

Score: 9 of 10.

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

Score: 10 of 10, no filter cost ripoff here.

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

Score: 10 of 10, Neoair does 28dBA @135cfm, now that's 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 service life are long.

Score: 8 of 10, Neoair has lasted a couple years without the bad reputation some importers develop.

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, worth the money.

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, Neoair corporate responded well to inquiries, some users report units replaced per warranty.

10. Unit is stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenient for consumer use.

Score: 10 of 10, handy remote, nice automated interface.

Neoair Enviro 68108 - Numeric Rating; 84.

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Neoair Enviro 68108 Review