The Importance of Air Purifier Filter Monitors
ClearFlite offers a variety of air purifier models, some of which have what are referred to as filter monitors and some which do not. The term “filter monitor” when used in reference to portable room air purifiers, means that the unit has a mechanical and/or electronic device which measures the remaining capacity of the various filters. A filter sensor measures the quantity of particles or level of odors and chemicals.
Filter monitors are a great convenience in an air purifier, but generally do add to the cost of the unit. They are primarily designed to be an added feature and do not affect the performance of the air purifier. The IQAir line of air purifier products that ClearFlite carries has filter monitors built into each of its models. IQAir, the manufacturer, refers to its monitor as an “intelligent filter life monitor” because the monitor determines the amount of the filter that has already been used and then predicts or forecasts the amount of filter life that is remaining.
IQAir's filter monitor is well designed because instead of informing the user as to how much of the filter has been used up, it informs the user as to how much filter life is remaining. That makes it easier to judge when to order a replacement filter for the air purifier. Generally, ClearFlite will ship a replacement filter ordered within 24 hours, so even if a customer is down to only a few percentage points, there's time to get a new filter for the air purifier. IQAir also has a remote control so the air purifier can be turned to a lower speed in case the television show the owner is watching suddenly becomes quiet.
Blueair air purifier models are also very popular with ClearFlite customers. Until recently, Blueair did not manufacture any air purifier products with filter monitors or sensors. However Blueair, in recent months, came out with its first unit with monitoring electronics. Blueair's E series air purifiers have sensors for “Particles” and for “Smell”. These sensors communicate clearly to the owner the condition of air in the room. The E series LCD screen will show that the Particle Level is Low, Medium, or High. An actual “smiley face,” “neutral face,” or a “sad face” quickly tells the story. Likewise, the “Smell” sensor indicates whether the smell (or odor) level is Low, Medium or High.
Blueair Digital E series air purifiers also come with a remote control device that can change the speed the air purifier is operating on, or turn it off. The air purifier feedback system also gives the user information about the speed and the timer operation in addition to the Particle and Smell information. The E series doesn't indicate remaining filter life, however. Blueair recommends that the integrated filter sets in its units be changed every six months for highest effectively.
Although both IQAir and Blueair have these air purifier models with filters or sensors, ClearFlite also sells several other non-monitor brands which work very well. It's really not too difficult to tell when a filter needs to be changed in a non-electronic unit. If the air purifier is not picking up the particulate as well as it did in the beginning, it's either time to replace the HEPA filter or perhaps just to replace the pre-filter. When the activated carbon inside the air purifier is used up (can absorb no more odors or chemicals), then it will emit a sweet/foul odor and it's time to be changed.
