Austin Air Air Purifiers – FAQs
How long has Austin Air Systems been in business?
Austin Air opened for business in 1990.
What is the difference between the Allergy Machine and the Healthmate?
The difference is in the filters. The Healthmate has a True Medical HEPA filter
surrounded by a carbon/zeolite mixture which adsorbs odors and gases. The standard filter weighs approximately 21 lbs. The Allergy Machine has a HEGA filter. The HEGA is comprised of a True Medical HEPA filter placed outside an
advanced military carbon cloth which absorbs VOC's, odors and gases.
Which is better for me the Allergy Machine or the Healthmate?
Both units are effective for those people with
allergies and
asthma. The
Allergy Machine can be more effective for people who smoke or who are in contact with more odor sources. The
Healthmate works well for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to dust and pollen.
What is the difference between the Healthmate and the Healthmate Plus?
Both have a True Medical HEPA filter and granular carbon and zeolite. The carbon in the Plus model is impregnated with potassium iodide. This makes the unit even more effective at removing formaldehyde and ammonia. The
Healthmate Plus is best used in places like new homes, laboratories, beauty salons, funeral homes, etc. Sources of formaldehyde in homes can be carpets, wood paneling, construction materials and furniture upholstery.
What exactly is a HEPA filter?
The HEPA (High Efficiency Particle Arresting) filter was developed by the US Atomic Energy Commission to filter out sub-micron particles. All True Medical HEPA is laser-tested and must remove a minimum of 99.97% of all particulate matter greater than 0.3 microns in size.
When would you recommend a Standard unit versus a Junior unit?
A standard is good for a one story house or apartment. A
Healthmate Jr. unit would be recommended for a single room.
What is the mixture ratio of carbon to zeolite in the Healthmate?
The mixture ratio is approximately 10-1 (10 parts carbon to 1 part zeolite).
Why are Austin Air's products superior to others on the market?
The filter construction makes it better. Austin Air uses True Medical HEPA filter paper in all of our air cleaners (60 sq. ft. in the Healthmate, Healthmate Plus and Allergy Machine and 30 sq. ft. in the Healthmate Jr.) 15 lbs. of activated carbon to maximize surface area in the Healthmate product and an advanced military carbon cloth in the Allergy Machine placed inside the True Medical HEPA filter to capture odors and gases.
Some other companies use a carbon blanket outside the HEPA filter, which doesn't provide much of a surface area for trapping harmful particles. Austin Air's products are made of steel and have a powder coat paint, which is baked on, so the products do not off gas. Other companies have plastic products and/or use sprayed on paint, so their products can emit harmful gases. Austin Air's products have a high-velocity airflow which creates a clean air pocket around the user.
If you turn on an Austin Air cleaner next to a competitor's, you can really feel the difference. Austin Air's products can clean the air in most bedrooms in less than 15 minutes. Austin Air Cleaners use energy efficient PSC motors, running your air cleaner can use less energy than some light bulbs.
What does HEGA stand for?
HEGA is unique to Austin Air and stands for High Efficiency Gas Absorption. A HEGA air cleaner combines a HEPA filtration system with an added military carbon cloth filter medium.
How many square feet of HEPA does each unit have?
The Allergy Machine,
Healthmate, and
Healthmate Plus have 60 sq. ft. The
Healthmate Jr. models have 30 sq. ft.
What is the CFM rate?
The CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is the measurement of how much air passes
through the unit. For the standard, the Healthmate Plus, and the Allergy Machine the CFM is 400 cfm on high and 75cfm on low. The Healthmate Jr. is 200 cfm on high and 50cfm on low.
What is the CADR? (Clean Air Delivery Rate)
Austin Air does not believe in the CADR because it does not measure how clean the air is. This is the airflow times the filtration efficiency, a unit that has a flow rate of 200 cfm and a 50% efficient filter has a CADR of 100. A unit that has a flow rate of 100 cfm and a filter efficiency of 100% will also have a CADR of 100. While both machines have the same CADR, the second one is the better air cleaner.
How many filters are inside the Austin Air cleaner?
There are two filters. The first filter is a stand-alone pre-filter which is constructed of a non-woven polyester. The pre-filter fits close to the metal shell of the unit. The purpose of the pre-filter is to stop hair or large dust particles from clogging the main drum filter. The main filter is comprised of a Permafilt cotton outer shell with two inner layers of filter media: an activated granular carbon/zeolite mixture and a True Medical HEPA paper filter.
What is Zeolite?
Zeolite is a natural mineral that has the distinct capability of adsorbing certain gas molecules. Zeolite is very porous and particularly effective in adsorbing formaldehyde, ammonia and carbon monoxide.
What is activated carbon?
Activated carbon is effective at removing gas molecules and odors. Activated carbon is the most common element in military gas masks. The most common method of activating carbon is a two-stage steaming process, which enlarges the carbon's surface pore sizeand creates fissures all through the carbon granules, dramatically increases the surface area. This more accessible internal surface area allows for greater odor and gas adsorption.
What are the carbon and zeolite used for?
Carbon and zeolite are used to remove gases, odors and chemicals. Both have properties that allow them to adsorb chemicals and gaseous materials.
What is Austin Air's return policy?
From the date of purchase, the customer has 30 days to contact the authorized dealer in order to obtain a Return Authorization #. The dealer obtains the RA# from Austin Air.
What are the guarantees?
The motor, fan and other working parts are guaranteed for 5 years. The filter carries a pro-rated 5 year warranty. This means if the filter lasts less than 5 years, Austin Air will discount the cost of a new filter based on the number of years the used filter has been in use.
What would cause a filter to fill up in less than 5 years?
Using the air cleaner in an area having many
pets, new carpeting, paint fumes, heavy smoking, urban pollution, photo studio, etc. will diminish the filter's life.
How do I know when the filter is full and should be replaced?
There are two ways to know. First, if you smell an unpleasant odor coming from the unit, the carbon is probably full. Second, if you notice a significantly reduced airflow, it is time to replace your filter.
Which end of the filter goes in first?
Both ends of the filter have a rubber sealing gasket going around it. Because the filter is inserted while the machine is upside down, the end of the filter labeled "Top/Motor Side" is placed label side down into the unit.
To ensure correct placement, one gasket is very close to the inner edge of the end cap, and the other is closer to the center. The end with the gasket that is closer to the center is the end that goes in farthest from the motor.
Which filter fits my machine?
If your unit was made prior to 1996, you have a ridged filter. If your filter was made in 1996 or later, then you have a flat filter. If the filter was prior to 1996, the customer needs to describe what the filter looks like. If the filter is flat, both ends will look identical (both are flat). If one end is flat and the other has a raised ring around it, then it is ridged.
How long do you think my unit will last?
The unit should last for five years or more if properly maintained. It is the filter that must be replaced when needed.
Where should I place the unit for maximum effectiveness?
It can be placed anywhere in a room, including corners, but must be at least four inches from the wall to give consistent effective results. The air cleaner should be placed in the bedroom at night with the door closed in order to produce the best results. The best room in the house to use a single machine is the bedroom.
How much space does the air cleaner effectively clean?
The standard Healthmate unit or the Allergy Machine will clean an average bedroom in about 15 minutes with the door closed.
Is the air cleaner noisy to operate?
Depending on the fan setting used, the noise level ranges from less than 50 to 65 decibels, or from the sound of a whisper to the sound of a normal conversation.
Does the unit produce any harmful substances?
No. Austin's air cleaners do not produce
ozone, ions, or negative ions. Ozone can be dangerous to people's health. This is especially true for people with respiratory problems such as asthma emphysema, and bronchitis.
Does the Austin Air cleaner require any special maintenance?
Periodic (once a month) vacuuming of the four sides of the outside screen with
the brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner is the only regular maintenance
required for the air cleaner.
How much electricity is required to run the standard air cleaner?
It uses an ordinary 120 volt outlet. Maximum draw is about 135 watts on the high setting or 1 cent per hour, average cost.
How reliable is the construction?
The entire body of the air cleaner is made of solid steel which has been welded
together to prevent any rattles. The paint used is powder coating, baked at 375
degrees Fahrenheit. This process eliminates any odor or off-gas emissions while
enhancing durability.
Does the air cleaner have any plastic parts?
The only plastic components in the air cleaner are the fan blade, wheels or feet
and the control knob on the front of the unit.
Is the motor varnished?
No, varnish is not used to coat the motor winding.
Can wheels be added to the Healthmate Jr.?
Yes, wheels can be added as a special order. There is an additional cost of $50.00.
Is the carbon activated to last only 5 years?
No, adsorption is the mechanism by which carbon removes vapor phase pollution from the air. The pollutants are held on the surface of the carbon. Therefore, the more surface area that the carbon has, the more capacity it has. Activation is a process that increases the surface area of the carbon.
Why does the unit NOT have an indicator light to indicate that the filter
needs replacing?
Short answer. There is not enough value added to unit and user to justify the cost
of the device. Long answer. If you were to add such a device, there are three
ways to do so. First, a simple timer could be used that would keep track of the
length of time the unit has operated and turn on a light after a given length of
time. Several companies that provide such a light do it this way. It is the least
complicated and least costly method. Unfortunately, it really does not measure
anything that tells that the filter needs to be replaced. Second, you could measure
the pressure drop across the filter. The higher the pressure drop, the dirtier the
filter. A light could be turned on when a certain pressure drop was reached. This
method is more costly than the first, but does work. However, normally the carbon
is used up in the filters long before the high-pressure drop level is reached.
Therefore, the filter would really need to be replaced before the light is ever
turned on. Third the vapor phase pollution level of the air exiting the unit could be
monitored and a light turned on when the level exceeded a certain level. Although
this method works and is possible to be done, it is very costly and would burden the purchaser of the unit.
What type of testing and approvals did your unit pass?
UL (United States), CSA (Canada).