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Whole-House Air Purifier Systems
Has anyone found a safe whole-house air purifier system that is installed in (or around) your in-home HVAC system? My HVAC company recommended the Reme HALO whole-house in-duct air purifier by RGF, but I was concerned to learn it's an "ionized hydro-peroxide" output that includes some level of ozone being emitted into the air from what I read in their literature/site and from talking to the manufacturer. They say it's "safe" but I've read people with lung problems shouldn't breathe in any ozone (I have Bronchiectasis). I also couldn't get a straight answer as to whether the UV light is part of the Reme HALO or a separate UV bulb that shines on the AC coil (called the BLU QR UV stick light) or whether both have a UV component. I've read that UV in whole-house air purifiers (and whole-house water systems) is safe for humans - I'm more concerned about whole-house air purifiers that emit ozone. I'm also looking at whole-house UV purifiers without ozone (e.g., APCO-X, Purity, Field Controls Trio). All of these products are hard to decipher. I live in a townhouse with a small space for the HVAC system. I have 2 small Winex air purifier floor units (from Costco) that I use but I've learned that isn't enough to remove harmful mycobacteria and mold spewing into the air from the HVAC air ducts and the AC coil where moisture builds up.
If you have knowledge and experience about these systems, I'd appreciate your thoughts!
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Hello @jvyv48 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I hadn't heard of the system you mentioned previously. I did review the website but am not seeing any claim to it working against COVID.
Is the company sharing that with you as a potential consumer? Can you share the link to where that claim is being made?
I also would LOVE to know what systems hospitals use that have been fully vetted to be the best out there! It is a very confusing area for a consumer.
Here is what the manufacture, Bryant, says through 3rd party testing.....
2The Evolution Air Purifier has demonstrated effectiveness against the murine coronavirus, based on third-party testing (2020) showing a >99% inactivation, which is a virus similar to the human novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. Therefore, the Infinity Air Purifier can be expected to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 when used in accordance with its directions for use. Third-party testing (2012, 2007) also shows ≥99% inactivation for the type of virus that causes common colds, Streptococcus pyogenes and human influenza. Airborne particles must flow through your HVAC system and be trapped by the MERV 15 Evolution filter to be inactivated at 99%. The Evolution air purifier achieves a MERV 15 rating based on third-party testing (2012) showing 95% of particles size 1.0 to 3.0 microns captured and 85% of particles size 0.3 to 1.0 microns captured. Learn how it works.
Oh, I agree with respect to the confusion! It would be great to know what they use, EXCEPT hospitals use very large, integrated whole building air management systems, plus in some cases supplemental systems in specific areas. None of these is available to the consumer at a size that would work in a home.
You will need to do some homework to find the best systems for home use. In addition, you need to be concerned about both ventilation (air exchange) and air purification (via filter, UV light or another technology.) The best place to start would be with an agency that certifies systems. Also, one word of caution - some air purifiers emit ozone, which you do not want in your home or office, so make sure any unit you select does not.
We have a whole house ventilation system, a whole house HEPA filtration system, and run portable units in our main living spaces. I will not recommend anything by brand name here - whenever someone in our family is in the market, we simply look for the best-rated HEPA unit currently available. Remember that to remain effective, filters need to be changed frequently.
Sue
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2 ReactionsInteresting concept, one I have never heard of before.
Whenever I run into new technology, I first try to research by looking for tests of the product by an independent lab. These machines have been around for a couple years now, and as far as I can see, there have been no independent tests done, nor any comparisons to show that this is superior to a HEPA filter system, with or without UV.
The questions I would ask:
Show me test results from an independent 3rd party lab.
How do I know the probiotics reach all the surfaces in my home?
How do I know the probiotics remain viable on those surfaces?
What probiotics, in what quantity, and where is the documentation that they actually kill or inactivate pathogens?
What is the annual cost of adding probiotics to the system?
Just my 2 cents worth.
Sue
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1 ReactionYes It is harder to know as a home owner which is the best. I do have a whole house HEPA filter air purification system that I like - carbon based, separate from the HVAC system, but connected. I don't that I know of have a ventilation system... will have to do more research. I also have Austin Air individual room filters.
Here is a place that rates a wide variety of air filters: https://air-purifier-ratings.org/best-air-purifiers/
There are no probiotic purifiers on their lists. I do not know if that is because the companies did not choose to supply them for testing, or if the engineers chose for some reason not to include them.
Sue
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1 ReactionI have had asthma for a long time and now possibly COPD. I bought a room purifier for the room where I weave, a smaller one for our bedroom and we are considering getting one big enough to do our Kitchen, living and dining rooms. When I vacuum I go around the air conditioner to get out the larger particles adhering to the purifier and the floor nearby. Ours is Bluair. I change the filters every six months. Also we change the house filter every month. It’s hard to say if it has helped because I recently had Covid and am still recuperating. It also cleans the air of odors.
Check Out Airdoctor air purifiers at airdoctor.com
@phoenixrises - Hi! You might find that being without bacteria might not be such a good thing. There are many good ones that we need! Air purifying systems are very expensive and a lot of people can't afford them. Some people might be on Oxygen and don't need them. It sounds as if you might want to talk to a specialist about what you need rather than what you seem to want.
I'd like to ask @sueinmn to join in because she also has bronchiectasis.