Ultraviolet Germicidal Air Purifiers

AllergyBuyersClub rates Clarifier 4.5 stars: "The Clarifier is one of the best air purifiers that we sell..."

Few reviews are available. Amazon.com lists this ultraviolet purifier, but apparently does not move enough units to give the uv clarifier a sales rank. No reviews are available at epinions.com.

Most of NQ Clarifier's existing air purification product line is targeted toward healthcare facilities. The home air purifiers are the lower end of their marketing effort.

5 Stage Ultraviolet Air Purification

The Clarifier ultraviolet air purifiers employ five distinct filtration processes. The builder claims its air purifiers will reduce airborne particulates, microorganisms, chemicals,molds, pollens, and odors. Formaldehyde reduction is described as limited.

A spun polyester prefilter can be washed or vacuumed.The prefilter is said to capture 90% of particles greater than 10 microns in size.

Next, a 15 lb. coconut shell carbon media drum absorbs odors, chemicals, and volatile gas from the air.

Third, a 80 sq. ft. of true-HEPA non-gassing clothcaptures pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and particulates to 0.3 microns.This is a big Hepa air cleaner. AllergyBuyersClub tested the Clarifiers and concluded: "efficiency of its Hepa filteris among the best we have ever tested"

A red light indicates the HEPA air filter needs changing.

Fourth, germicidal ultra violet light damages the DNA of airborne microorganisms.

The HEPA filter is continually bathed in 13,000 microwatts per second of germicidal UV light.Two 9 watt ultraviolet bulbs, in a closed aluminum chamber, generate germicidal ultraviolet air purifying light for 9,000 hours before replacement. This is essentially a one year bulb life.

HEPA air filters without UV may collect microorganisms, but not destroy the offending"bugs." Putting the ultraviolet inside the air purifier eliminates the eye damaging UV leakage possible with some less expensive models. A green light shines when the UV filter is purifying air.

Finally, a carbon post-filter removes residual particles.

Clarifier uv air purifiers use special quartz glass to prevent ozone leakage.

Clarifier Filter Costs

Pre & post filters are slated to last 1-2 years, carbon filter 1 year, HEPA air filter 3-5 years, and UV lamps 1 year.

This gives filter maintenance costs of approximately $200 per year. At that rate it would take over three yearsfor air filter replacement costs to equal the original air purifier purchase price. This is pretty good filtereconomy. The price and upkeep costs imply direct competition with other top air purifiers.The cost to replace UV bulbs is a significant part of the annual tab.

A couple screws on rear door access the filters.

Very Powerful Fan

Clarifier's air purifiers have a strong fan coupled to a variable speed control, rather than fixedswitches for a specific number of speeds.

Room size recommendations are; 2 air changes per hour for 1310 sq. ft., 4 air changes per hour for 660 sq. ft., and 6 air changes per hour for 440 sq. ft.

Of course I recommend this UV air purifier for a 400 square foot room and consider 6 air exchanges per hour an absolute minimum.

There is no display, timer, or remote, but just twisting the knob, which also controls fan speed, turns the air purifier on.

This ultraviolet air purification machine uses 115 watts on high. Not an EnergyStar.

The non-off gassing 22 gauge galvanized steel housing measures 28" high by 15" wide by 14" deep, and the air cleaners weigh a significant 45 lbs.

Casters help the purifier move, but may still present problems for the infirm.

NQ Environmental, Inc., is located in New Britain, CT.Clarifiers are warranted 5 yrs. for housing, wheels, fan and motor.

Air Purifier coverage is reduced to 1 year for electrical, switches, displays, LED, and neon lamps.

Warranted 90 days are; UV bulbs, HEPA filter and Carbon filters.

Ultraviolet Room Sterilizer?

Advertising claims:

"Bacterial and viral microorganisms such as hepatitis, influenza, TB and Legionnaire's Disease are trapped and destroyed before they can infiltrate your air space."

NQ Clarifier UV has a possible application in immune compromised sickrooms where microorganism control is needed. However, like other air purifiers intended for "sterilizing" air, the ability to effectively protectroom occupants from disease causing microbes is unproven. I believe theseair purifiers will be tested in the first half of the new century. With the Clarifier ultraviolet light air purifiers, the containment chamber suggests a focus on the HEPA filter, rather thanthe total volume of air in the room.

Could this purifier save lives in an epidemic scenario?

I don’t know that answer, but I will be setting up a "safe room" in the coming months.

One disgruntled former dealer has published the following remark; “Due to NQ Environmental’s inability to produce the Clarifier and CARE 2000 UV light HEPA air cleaners, replacement filters and provide acceptable customer service,”

I wonder if the low sales volume on these purifiers might make it difficult to provide certain services. I find plenty of sites offering replacement air filters.

Air-Purifier-Power Rating Criteria

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, Ultraviolet air purifier without ozone! Acceptable for multiple chemical sensitivity.

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, 15 pounds of carbon.

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

Score: 9 of 10, good VOC purification.

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

Score: 10 of 10, it is not clear how the filter monitor is activated: air pressure switch?

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

Score:9 of 10,

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

Score: 9 of 10, a bit loud on low, but moving lots of air.

7. Purifier 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, 5-year warranty covers mechanicals only, lamps and switches short. Ten years in business, but lower sales volume.

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,

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

Score: 8 of 10,

10. Air purifier stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenientfor consumer use.

Score: 8 of 10, no remote, boxy looking, easy dial interface.

Air-Purifier-Power Numeric Rating;88,