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FAQ / Tips
Q: Why clean the air?
A: Primarily for health reasons. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor
air quality is 5x to 10x more polluted than the air outdoors and is a top environmental
risk. The good news is – indoor air quality is a risk we can control.
The most effective way of maintaining good indoor air quality is to eliminate or reduce
airborne particles that trigger allergic or asthmatic episodes. That’s where an air
cleaner comes in...effectively removing many irritating particles such as dust, pollen,
dust mite waste, pet dander, tobacco smoke, mold spores, bacteria, odors, candlewick soot
and much more.
Q: How do these pollutants become airborne?
A: Particle pollutants become airborne with typical household activity. Walking over
carpet, opening windows/blinds, sitting on furniture, pets scratching, opening doors are
just a few ways irritants can become airborne. The micron tiny size allows them to stay
airborne for hours and increases the likelihood of these irritants landing in or on you.
Q: Why clean the air with Vornado Air Purifiers?
A: Vornado Air Cleaners’ performance is certified by AHAM (see next question) and our
air cleaners provide the right balance of key requirements. Vornado uses the most
effective filter combination with a PreSorbŪ prefilter and a True HEPA primary filter.
Signature Vortex Action circulates all the air in the room because if the air is not
moving – it’s not being cleaned! There are many other features that make Vornado
unique. They include an upward clean air outlet, top-mounted controls, low-maintenance (no
blades to clean weekly), long life HEPA filter (2 to 4 years), and a distinctive
sculptural shape that blends with any room.
Q: Who is AHAM and what do they provide to the Air Purifier category?
A: The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is an organization that
certifies the testing results of home appliances such as room Air Purifiers,
refrigerators, room air conditioners, humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Since 1967, they have
used outside labs to test products, and today you'll find AHAM certified ratings on a
variety of appliances. This makes comparing products easier for you.
Q: What certification does AHAM give to Air Purifiers?
A: This AHAM certified rating is called Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). The seal lists
three CADR numbers - one for tobacco smoke, one for pollen and one for dust. The CADR
indicates volume of filtered air delivered by an Air Purifier. The higher the tobacco
smoke, pollen and dust numbers, the faster the unit filters the air.
Q: What is True HEPA? What makes it so special?
A: HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor.” True HEPA refers to a
high-efficiency class of HEPA filter media rated 99.97% efficient at 0.3 microns.
What makes True HEPA special is its high particle capture efficiency. True HEPA filtration
has been used for many years in nuclear facilities, manufacturing clean rooms and medical
facilities where clean air is absolutely required.
The American Lung Association refers to HEPA as the most efficient mechanical filters for
removing small particles, which can be breathed deep into the lungs.
Q: What does 99.97% efficient at 0.3 microns mean?
A: It means that 99.97% of the particles (as small as 0.3 microns) that enter the Vornado
HEPA filter will be caught and removed from the air. Particles that are smaller than 0.3
microns often attach to larger particles making them easy to capture or they attach
themselves to the fibers of the HEPA media. To envision the size, line up 100,000
particles 0.3 micron in size end-to-end and it will equal one inch. For comparison, a
typical human hair crosscut is about 70 microns.
Q: What is the HEPA filter made of and how does it work?
A: HEPA is a paper-like material made of densely spaced glass fibers. A powerful blower is
need to pull air into the unit and through the filter. Allergens and particles are trapped
in the dense fibers of the filter.
Q: How often do the filters need to be changed?
A: We recommend changing the PreSorbŪ carbon filter every 3 months and the HEPA filter
every 2 to 4 years depending on the specific home environment. Some home environment
factors are whether or not you have pets indoors, have moderate or severe allergies or
asthma, someone smokes, you burn a fireplace or candles or live in a dusty area.
Q: How large of a room will Vornado Air Purifiers effectively clean?
A: The AQS15 is certified for rooms up to 226 sq. ft. in size (approximately 14’ x
16’). The AQS35 is certified for larger rooms up to 395 sq. ft. in size
(approximately 20’ x 20’).
Q: What is the purpose of the PreSorbŪ prefilter?
A: The PreSorbŪ prefilter adsorbs odors and is the first line of filtration catching the
larger particles. It uses activated carbon to adsorb odors and other organic compounds.
Activated carbon is the best adsorbent available to aid in the reduction of common
household odors and organic compounds. Trapping the larger particles will extend the life
of the HEPA filter.
Q: What kind of odors does the PreSorbŪ prefilter remove?
A: The following list is provided by the manufacturer of our PreSorbŪ filters. These are
the compounds that have a high adsorptive rating:
- Animal odors
- Auto exhaust
- Bathroom smell
- Body odor
- Burning tobacco
- Chlorine
- Cleaning solvents
- Cooking odors
- Garlic, onions
- Mothballs
- Paint, decorating odors
- Vinegar
Q: Can I vacuum or wash the filters?
A: It is not advised. Vacuuming the PreSorbŪ prefilter can remove the carbon from the
material and reduce the odor adsorption effectiveness. The HEPA filter is delicate. (In
fact, when changing the HEPA filter, you should avoid touching the pleated filter
material. Just hold the filter by the frame.) Vacuuming can break the fibers inside and
reduce its effectiveness by creating holes in the filter.
Q: Our home has open areas where one room flows into the next (i.e.,
living-dining-kitchen). Will Vornado air cleaners work in this kind of space?
A: Yes, the unit will still clean effectively. A larger area means fewer air changes per
hour, so the process will take longer than it would in a single room with four walls.
Q: What are air changes per hour?
A: Air changes per hour (or ACH) is the number of times in one hour the entire volume of
room air passes through the Air Purifier. Physicians generally recommend an ACH of 4 to 6.
The CADR rates for Vornado Air Purifiers equate to 5 ACH.
Q: How often should we run our unit?
A: Vornado Air Cleaners are designed to be run 24/7. Individual usage will be based on
your indoor air quality, pets in the house, allergy / asthma suffers, etc.
Q: Can we run our Vornado Air Purifiers with the windows open?
A: You can, but the constant influx of outdoor particles (such as pollen) coming in
through the windows will minimize or negate the benefits.
Q: Can burning candles make my filter turn black?
A: Yes, even moderate use of candles in your home can cause the filter to turn black and,
fairly quickly, clog the filter with soot particles. The good news is the filter is doing
its job. The black soot accumulating on the filter was in your air.
Q: How noisy are Vornado Air Purifiers?
A: It is best described as a “fan” sound – always dependent on the setting
and room size. Tests that compare noise level to performance level indicate Vornado units
are among the industry’s best.
Q: In addition to using Vornado HEPA Air Purifiers, what else can I do to help reduce the
allergen irritants in my home?
A: Here is a list of tips to help reduce the allergen irritants in your home:
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Dry on high to kill dust mites.
- Use allergen-impermeable encasings for bedding, including pillows, mattresses, duvet
covers and box springs.
- Avoid foam rubber pillows and mattresses.
- Avoid upholstered furniture.
- Try leather, wood, plastic or vinyl.
- Remove carpeting if possible.
- Vacuum thoroughly using a HEPA filter vacuum and bags that seal in dust.
- Use window shades instead of heavy blinds or curtains.
- Maintain a replacement plan (at least quarterly) for your HVAC system's air filters.
- Keep windows closed.
- Wipe down indoor surfaces frequently to remove animal hair and dander.
- Keep pets outdoors as much as possible, and at least out of the bedroom.
- Use a tight fitting mask when cleaning.
- Wash pets weekly with a dander-reducing shampoo, then follow with an anti-dander spray.
- Wash your hands after touching your pet.
- Clean all visible mold from walls and ceilings.
Note: These allergen irritant reduction tips are some, but certainly not all, the
methods typically found in researching the topic of allergy control in the home. If you
have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or
other health care provider.
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