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+--- Thread: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? (/showthread.php?tid=166221)
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Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - Robert M - 04-12-2014
Hi everyone,
My wife and I are looking to supplement the RabbitAir Minus A2 air purifier. We keep the Minus A2 in our bedroom. It's quiet and works well. It's even surprisingly quiet on its higher speed settings. We need an air purifier for our home office and another for our living room and kitchen. They are adjacent to each other and there is a very large doorway between them. So, we treat them as a single room.
I've no interest in a noisy system. Been there, done that. We have an old Honeywell air purifier in the living room/kitchen area. It works but it's actually a bit small for the area and noisy even on its lowest setting. The higher speed settings are unbearably noisy. So, I let it run on its highest speed during the day when the wife and I are at work and either throw it onto low or turn it off entirely when I get home form work.
We already have an air purifier in mind for the home office. It's another unit from Rabbitair:
It's on the smaller side, very well rated and very quiet. Perfect for the home office. Both versions of this model are in the $300 to $400 range. We've been very happy with the Minus A2. Very solid build quality and the company itself is responsive to inquiries. Definitely recommended.
The one for the living room and kitchen, though, continues to be an issue. We need a larger unit than the BioGS 2.0 series and the ones we have in mind are costly. So far, we're looking at the BlueAir 500 series air purifier, which is in the $600 to $700 dollar range.
Then I saw a deal for the ViraTech UV-400 from UVFlue technologies for $279 or so.
Based on the info, it can handle the room area and kills all of the live crap that floats around in the air. But, it isn't a HEPA system and the filter component that actually removes the now dead crap (and dust and pollen and schmutz) seems on the small side. Easily cleaned but small. So, while it kills the crap in the air, it doesn't appear to remove it from circulation on the same level as a HEPA based system. That and I was unable to find any info that gauges its noise output. So, I'm leery. It really seems like the system is too good to be true.
Anyone have a ViraTech UV-400? If so, I'd much appreciate the benefit of your experience.
Thanks,
Robert
P.S. Keep in mind that a manufacturer may say an air purifer can clean the air in the room of X size but in reality, it may only do a proper job in a room that is significantly smaller. See the folllowing web site for more details:
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - pRICE cUBE - 04-13-2014
My understanding is these uv gadgets are unnecessary since a true HEPA 99.97% filters down to the micron level. Virus and bacteria particles are trapped. Better to trap it than have sterilized or not fully killed off bio mass floating back out. I am on a mobile device but when I get home I will try to pull up the numbers.
We use a few different machines including those round honeywells and IQair machines.
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - Robert M - 04-13-2014
pRICE,
I agree. Still, though, the system is definitely intriguing and the price is right. The honeywell is a predecessor to the round models. The only complaint I have with it is the noise. Otherwise, it's done its job surprisingly well considering it's undersized for the location. Love love love the RabbitAir Minus A2. Costly but it's a top-notch piece of hardware. That's why we may end up purchasing three of the BioGS 2.0 models. One for the office, one for the living room itself and one to put in the kitchen, closer to the foyer.
Robert
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - kap - 04-13-2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5APw_SLUU
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - pRICE cUBE - 04-13-2014
We use the Honeywells on low and put them in rooms where the sound isn't so much of an issue. I was lucky to find some used IQAir units in good shape for less than $250 each. They pop up on web listings such a craigslist every so often. To me those are the best value since the HealthPro units can add the Carbon Filtration that gets rid of VOC and gasses. They also run fairly silent. Downside is they take up more room but the larger fan means more quiet operation.
Most 99.97% true hepa will trap microorganisms so I haven't opted for the UV light. If you can get a good price on it and you like the unit then I say go for it.
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - Robert M - 04-13-2014
Kap,
I've heard of the idea about a filter and a box fan and posted about it. Nice idea in theory but I wouldn't consider doing it. Way too many problems with the idea.
Robert
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - pRICE cUBE - 04-13-2014
Robert M wrote:
Kap,
I've heard of the idea about a filter and a box fan and posted about it. Nice idea in theory but I wouldn't consider doing it. Way too many problems with the idea.
Robert
This can actually have decent results if you buy a pre-flter mesh and attach everything correctly. Without a pre-filter, your main filter gets clogged with coarse dust instead of fine particulates.
Something like this is easily vacuumed http://www.amazon.com/14ALL-Filter-Replacement-Carbon-Pre-Filter/dp/B000P7AWO2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397403930&sr=8-2&keywords=carbon+pre+filter
The downside, it is not as efficient as a sealed forced air unit and the filters may not last as long since the baffles are thinner.
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - Robert M - 04-13-2014
pRICE,
Many more issues than just that. Cheap box fans aren't designed for this kind of job. Overheated motor, poorly sealed filter, etc. the list goes on.
Robert
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - pRICE cUBE - 04-14-2014
Robert M wrote:
pRICE,
Many more issues than just that. Cheap box fans aren't designed for this kind of job. Overheated motor, poorly sealed filter, etc. the list goes on.
Robert
As I said, I wouldn't do it. I prefer a dedicated machine for that, I believe the filters last longer and the whole setup is safer.
Re: Air purifiers... Anyone own or use a ViraTech UV-400? - Robert M - 04-14-2014
pRICE,
Just got off the phone with the company behind the ViraTech UV-400. Very pleasant conversation. The machine is not intended to replace a HEPA based system. Rather, the UV technology in it compliments a HEPA air filter. It goes like this:
The ViraTech UV-400 will kill live garbage in the air its takes in and the filter in it is more along the lines of a lint catcher. Kind of like on a window air conditioner. So, large particles will be removed from the air it sends out. But, any bacteria/viruses and such that make it past the lint catcher will be dead. A system like this isn't good for getting rid of allergens like dust and pollen and mold spores.
A HEPA system isn't going to kill the garbage in the air. The HEPA system uses the filters to reduce the amount of it. So, the stuff may still be live and around, but just far less of it. So, a system like this may not be great for viruses and bacteria but definitely better for reducing the amount of allergens in an area.
Seems to me, a great air purification system will combine the technologies. Use a UV system to kill garbage and a HEPA system to remove it from the air.
Robert