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literature in equipment specifications sections, above in this column, & on
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Frequently Asked Questions
(Portable Indoor Air Cleaners and Purifiers)
We recommend that you read our webpage on
air cleaner technology for a basic understanding of air cleaning methods.
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How often should the filters be replaced?
Many of the air cleaners use media filters: a) prefilter,
b)primary particulate filter, c)gas/odor filter.
The prefilter is usually a low efficiency material used to
trap large particles and to protect the primary filter(s). Some sort of
maintenance should be performed about once a month. This may entail
simply vacuuming the prefilter from the outside of the machine, or removing
the prefilter and lightly vacuuming it, or rinsing the prefilter, or replacing
the prefilter. If the prefilter becomes damaged in the process of
cleaning it then replacement is required in order to preserve the integrity of
the primary filter(s). Always vacuum the prefilter to remove the debris
in the opposite direction that it entered the prefilter. Never vacuum in
a way that would pull the debris further into the prefilter.
The primary particulate filter which is often a HEPA filter
and the gas/odor filter consisting usually of carbon or a carbon blend can
only be replaced as required. They cannot be vacuumed.
Typically a HEPA filter will last 2-3 years under normal residential/small
office use and the gas/odor filter will last about 1-2 years. Of course
the replacement interval will be dependent on the actual operating conditions
and the degree of pollution present.
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How do I know when it is time to change the filters?
The best way to determine whether a filter change is needed is
by measuring the pressure across the filters. Unfortunately, portable
machines are generally not outfitted with pressure gauges. Pressure
gauges tend to be reserved for pricier equipment in the industrial and
sometimes commercial categories. Therefore, since the equipment
does not have a pressure gauge the actual determination is a subjective one.
If the filter(s) have been in use roughly the recommended time (see question
#1) and the airflow appears to have dropped off then a primary filter change
should be considered. If the machine is emitting a pungent odor then it
may be time to change the gas/odor filter because it may be saturated.
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How much do replacement filters cost?
Please enter our store for replacement filter pricing.
Note that certain filters may be covered under warranty.
warranty examples
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I'm confused. Please
compare the HM-400 Standard, HEGA 2.1, and
Allergy Machine.
The HEGA 2.1 and the HM-400 Standard are the same machine except for the
nature of the carbon section of the machines and orientation of filters.
Both the HM-400 Standard and the HEGA 2.1 have prefilters and HEPA filters
and they both use the same chassis, motor, and blower. The HM-400 has
granular carbon/zeolite. The HEGA 2.1 machine has 100% carbon fabric.
Also, the air flows through the granular carbon in the HM-400 Standard before
the HEPA filter. In the HEGA 2.1 the air flows through the HEPA filter
before the carbon fabric. It is preferred to have the air flow through
the HEPA filter first since the HEPA filter has more surface area than the
carbon and particulates such as dust are less likely to clog the filter.
The "Allergy Machine" is identical to a HEGA 2.1 machine in the color
silver. HEGA 2.1 machines are available in several colors but only
the "Allergy Machine" is silver and is labeled as the "Allergy Machine." The
HEGA 2.1 and Allergy Machine are identical in every respect except for color
and labeling.
- I ordered a HEGA 2.1 but I think I received a Standard HM-400
instead. How do I determine which model I actually received?
The
Standard module inside the machine, has metal end caps and the HEGA module has
cardboard endcaps. Also, the Standard module weighs about 18 lbs.
whereas the HEGA 2.1 module weighs about 8 lbs. Between these two
characteristics 1- type of endcaps and 2- weight, you should be able to
conclusively determine if you received the proper model as ordered.
- I ordered a HM-400 Plus model. How do I know I received the proper
model?
The HM-400 Plus model will have the letters "SB" in the
serial number to designate the machine as "Super Blend."
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What is the difference between the Healthmate models
HM-400 Standard, HM-400 Plus, HEGA 2.1, Allergy Machine, HM-200, and
MiracleAir model PM-400?
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These machines use advanced technology well accepted by the
medical establishment for the removal of airborne allergens and volatile
organic chemicals which may impact people with allergies, asthma, and multiple
chemical sensitivities. They are fabricated from sheet metal to reduce
outgassing and noise and they incorporate high quality components.
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All 5 air cleaners contain a prefilter to remove large visible
particles from the air.
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All 5 air cleaners contain true HEPA filters with efficiencies
of 99.97%@0.3 u DOP
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All 5 air cleaners contain sorbent media, consisting primarily
of carbon, to remove volatile organic chemicals, gases, fumes, and odors from
the air.
Filters
|
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
Prefilter |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
True HEPA |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Sorbent Media |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
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Only one of the models processes air at the rate of 400 cubic
feet per minute(CFM) with the filters installed: PM-400. The
HM-400 STD, HM-400PLS, & HEGA process air at 275 CFM with the filters
installed. The HM-200 runs at half the rate or 137 CFM with the filters
installed.
Air Cleaner Processing Rates - cubic feet per minute (CFM)
|
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
CFM |
400 |
275 |
275 |
275 |
137 |
Using HEPA technology in portable air cleaners, it has been
empirically determined that processing an amount of air equivalent to 6 room
volumes per hour produces excellent air quality results. Therefore, at 400 CFM
an air cleaner can process 4000 cuft. 6 times each hour or once every 10
minutes. This is the recommended air cleaning rate for a typical residence
or small office. If there are sources actively emitting pollutants into
the air than a higher air cleaning rate of 8 or 10 air changes per hour may be
necessary. Note: Beware that you should make sure you know the number of
times a machine will clean the air per hour when you read a claim from a
manufacturer that a machine will clean a particular size area. In
addition, you should confirm that the machine processes the stated amount of air
with the filters installed. Some manufacturers quote free flow air
processing rates in their literature, which are rates without the filters
installed. Quoting rates without the filters installed does not provide
the information necessary to make an informed purchasing decision.
Machine Air Volume(cuft) Capacities to Achieve Various Air Changes
per Hour(ACH)
ACH |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
10 |
2400 |
1650 |
1650 |
1650 |
825 |
8 |
3000 |
2062 |
2062 |
2062 |
1031 |
6 |
4000 |
2750 |
2750 |
2750 |
1375 |
4 |
6000 |
4125 |
4125 |
4125 |
2062 |
2 |
12000 |
8250 |
8250 |
8250 |
4125 |
1 |
24000 |
16500 |
16500 |
16500 |
8250 |
Machine Area(sqft) Capacities to Achieve 10 Air
Changes per Hour(ACH) at various ceiling heights
ceiling height(ft) |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
8 |
300 |
206 |
206 |
206 |
103 |
10 |
240 |
165 |
165 |
165 |
82 |
12 |
200 |
137 |
137 |
137 |
69 |
14 |
171 |
117 |
117 |
117 |
59 |
16 |
150 |
103 |
103 |
103 |
51 |
Machine Area(sqft) Capacities to Achieve 8 Air
Changes per Hour(ACH) at various ceiling heights
ceiling height(ft) |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
8 |
375 |
258 |
258 |
258 |
129 |
10 |
300 |
206 |
206 |
206 |
103 |
12 |
250 |
172 |
172 |
172 |
86 |
14 |
214 |
147 |
147 |
147 |
73 |
16 |
188 |
129 |
129 |
129 |
65 |
Machine Area(sqft) Capacities to Achieve 6 Air
Changes per Hour(ACH) at various ceiling heights
ceiling height(ft) |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
8 |
500 |
344 |
344 |
344 |
172 |
10 |
400 |
275 |
275 |
275 |
137 |
12 |
333 |
229 |
229 |
229 |
114 |
14 |
286 |
197 |
197 |
197 |
98 |
16 |
250 |
172 |
172 |
172 |
86 |
Machine Area(sqft) Capacities to Achieve 4 Air
Changes per Hour(ACH) at various ceiling heights
ceiling height(ft) |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
8 |
750 |
515 |
515 |
515 |
258 |
10 |
600 |
412 |
412 |
412 |
206 |
12 |
500 |
344 |
344 |
344 |
172 |
14 |
429 |
295 |
295 |
295 |
148 |
16 |
375 |
258 |
258 |
258 |
129 |
Machine Area(sqft) Capacities to Achieve 2 Air
Changes per Hour(ACH) at various ceiling heights
ceiling height(ft) |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
8 |
1500 |
1031 |
1031 |
1031 |
515 |
10 |
1200 |
825 |
825 |
825 |
412 |
12 |
1000 |
687 |
687 |
687 |
344 |
14 |
857 |
589 |
589 |
589 |
295 |
16 |
750 |
515 |
515 |
515 |
258 |
Machine Area(sqft) Capacities to Achieve 1 Air
Change per Hour(ACH) at various ceiling heights
ceiling height(ft) |
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
8 |
3000 |
2062 |
2062 |
2062 |
1031 |
10 |
2400 |
1650 |
1650 |
1650 |
825 |
12 |
2000 |
1375 |
1375 |
1375 |
687 |
14 |
1714 |
1178 |
1178 |
1178 |
589 |
16 |
1500 |
1031 |
1031 |
1031 |
515 |
Sorbent Media Composition
|
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
|
same
as others with extra ability to remove formaldehyde and ammonia |
excellent collection of gases and odors |
granular carbon |
YES
(COCONUT SHELL) |
YES |
NO |
YES |
YES |
carbon fabric from
carbon thread |
NO |
NO |
YES |
NO |
NO |
granular zeolite |
NO* |
YES |
NO |
YES |
YES |
granular alumina
potassium permanganate |
YES |
YES |
NO |
NO |
NO |
* The manufacturer of the PM-400 indicates that zeolite does not
have much effect on the removal of gaseous products. Therefore, a decision
was made to eliminate zeolite from the air cleaner. They feel that zeolite
is acting as a filler because it has little benefit and is considerably less
expensive than the other constituents of the sorbent media.
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Weight - Of all the machines, with the exception of the
HM-200, the HEGA is about 13 lbs. lighter due to the use of carbon fiber
thread instead of granular carbon.
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Only the PM-400 and HEGA 2.1 place the HEPA filter in the air
flow prior to the carbon. This is important because the HEPA filter is
pleated and presents much more surface area than carbon for collection of
particulates such as dust, smoke, pollen, etc. The large surface area
means that there is less likelihood the airflow will clog.
HEPA Placement
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
before |
after |
before |
after |
after |
Filter Replacement
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
independent |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated |
Integrated |
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The HM-400 PLS, HM-400 STD, HEGA 2.1, and
HM-200 are covered by a 5 year limited residential warranty which also
covers the primary filter module but not the prefilter. If the primary
filter module should fail before the expiration of the warranty, a new filter
will be supplied at pro-rata cost. They are not warranted for commercial
use. However, the PM-400 is covered under a commercial warranty.
Warranty
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
1 yr parts commercial |
5 yr residential |
5 yr residential |
5 yr residential |
5 yr residential |
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The HM-400 PLS, HM-400 STD, HEGA 2.1, and HM-200 are available
in 3 colors. The PM-400 is available in one color.
Colors
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
1 |
3 |
3+1
(Allergy Machine) |
3 |
3+2 (Baby Breath) |
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The HM-400 PLS, HM-400 STD, HEGA 2.1, and PM-400 include high
efficiency motors for conservation of electricity and lower electricity usage.
The HM-200 does not have a high efficiency motor.
High Efficiency Electrical Motor
PM-400 |
HM-400PLS |
HEGA2.1 |
HM-400STD |
HM-200 |
YES |
YES |
YES |
YES |
NO |
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Casters - The HM-400 PLS, HM-400 STD, HEGA 2.1, and PM-400
include factory installed casters for roll-around convenience.
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to make a purchase.
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