Why Our Air Purifiers Are Better
We are asked what makes us different than other air purifier companies. Well, have you ever put that new HEPA filter in a room in your house or business to remove an odor or fume and it didn't do anything? Or maybe it worked for a few weeks, then it stopped being effective? If it was our air purifier, it would be effective for 6-12 months or longer depending on how many chemicals are in your air that are being adsorbed by our bed of activated carbon. That is the difference. Most people aren't even aware of chemical filtration or of the amount of harmful chemicals in their house or business. Even the standard for measuring the effectiveness of household chemical removal is only a few years old. However, we have been making air purifiers to remove chemicals since 1974 and have been serving people affected by airborne chemicals for over 50 years and have been learning from them.
Our air purifiers filter particulates, or particles, like nearly all other purifiers. But our purifiers also filter out odors and fumes which is called gas phase filtration. That is performed with the 3-10 pounds of activated carbon that is in our purifiers. The particulate filters that are usually just described as HEPA filters and found in most stores don't filter odors and fumes. Some may have a porous black pre-filter in front of the HEPA filter. That is typically a thin polyester pad that is coated with a few ounces of activated carbon. That pad will remove odors and fumes, but the lifespan is much shorter than 3-10 pounds of granular activated carbon and may only last as little as a week.
Particulate filtration is measured by a CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) rating. That is done by measuring how fast particles are removed. Gas phase filtration is measured with a new rating called c-CADR (Chemical Clean Air Delivery Rate). That is done by measuring how fast five common household chemicals are removed:
Toluene — Common in paints, adhesives, and solvents.
Limonene (or d-limonene) — Found in citrus-scented cleaners and fragrances.
n-Heptane (or heptane) — Represents alkanes from fuels and solvents.
Formaldehyde — Emitted from pressed wood products, insulation, and furnishings.
Ammonia — From cleaning products and biological sources.
Our standard mix will remove all these chemicals. A particulate filter that uses just a HEPA will not remove any of these.
So what have we learned over the last 50 years to serve our customers better? We came up with some simple design rules, but they aren't shortcuts. They are more costly which means most air purifier companies will not incorporate them although you may pay the same for an air purifier that doesn't follow them.
To start with, we don't use any plastic components. Plastics release VOCs which is what we want to eliminate from your air, not add to it. Also, with microplastics becoming more concerning, it is even more important to keep them out of the device that is supposed to purify your air. We also use adhesive free particulate filters. This prevents introducing VOCs to your environment. Our design also keeps the airstream clear from the motor, windings, wires and everything else besides the metal impeller that is moving the air and the metal housing that holds the carbon and particulate filter. Pretty simple design rules, but rarely used in a world where high profits, low quality and large marketing budgets rule the day.
Our air purifiers are designed for everyone, while keeping people in mind who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), severe allergies, or asthma to remove chemicals, fumes, odors, and very fine particles from the air.
Our air purifiers contain between 3 and 10 pounds of activated carbon to remove fumes and odors for up to 6-12 months depending on your usage. We offer a standard carbon mix that will be suitable for most people and filters formaldehyde, but we also offer eight types of carbon that can be mixed if desired. Anything from standard coconut carbon to sulfur impregnated carbon for mercury removal or coal based bituminous or lignite. Even wood based carbon, potassium permanganate, zeolite and formaldehyde control carbon. Free samples are available to test for your compatibility if you are sensitive to certain carbon types. See the carbon choices and descriptions here: Carbon Choices and Descriptions
Our air purifiers have performed well in independent lab tests and are used and recommended by allergists & environmental doctors nationwide. Since 1974, E.L. Foust air purifiers have been the purifier of choice of doctors and MCS and allergy sufferers. Great for use in the home, office, school, hospital, industrial facility, RV, car or any place you need clean air. We also make our air purifiers here in the United States!
If you're not sure what options to select or you have a question about how to address your air quality concerns, call or email us. We will answer the phone and answer your questions and help find a solution for you. If your message goes to voicemail, we are usually able to return your call the same day.
Place an order now online or give us a call or send an email. We're here to help.