WHICH MODEL TO CHOOSE? SMALLER FILTERS
No independent test reports have been done for air filters and cleaners. The following assessment is based on the judgement of doctors and nurses, and the experience of a range of users with allergies and sensitivity.
If you are exceptionally sensitive to particles, such as dusts, moulds and pollens, or if you are very sensitive to chemicals, you should only consider higher efficiency machines.
Smaller filters
If you are not sensitive to chemicals, nor very highly allergic, most of the smaller filters will be sufficient to take out a high level of particle allergens and will be fine for most people’s needs. Some of the best small filters include the Trion Electrion, the NSA 1200A, the Medivac F400 and the Mountain Breeze F400. These all have a thin layer of activated carbon filter which takes out some chemical vapours, but they are not highly effective against chemicals. For filters which are, see below.
The Trion Electrion has an electrostatic filter, a thin carbon filter and a permanent ioniser (see above). It is small, unobtrusive and very portable. It is very quiet to run and has three speeds of operation. It has a marked effect on particles and dusts, according to people who have used it. Its price (at 1992) is quoted between £80 and £100. Its electrostatic filter can be washed; its carbon filters need replacing every six months, costing £7 each. It is available from Air Improvement Centre, Beta-Plus or direct from Trion (addresses below).
The NSA 1200A is larger than the Trion Electrion but still light, unobtrusive and portable. It has an electrostatic filter, a fabric filter and a thin layer of activated carbon. It has an optional fragrancer which you should not use if you are chemically sensitive. It makes as much noise as a quiet fan heater. You can buy a carrying bag for it which is useful if you wish to carry it around with you. It has good reports from users and samplers, but it is more expensive – about £150 at 1992 prices. (At this price, a more effective, but less portable, medium-size filter [see below] would be a better buy.) Filters (£20 each) need replacing every six months. The NSA is available from Beta-Plus or NSA distributors (addresses on pages 241-2).
The Mountain Breeze F400 and the Medivac F400 also receive good reports from those who use them. (These two are virtually identical machines.) They are generally viewed to be less effective than either the Trion or the NSA devices, but nonetheless make a difference to air quality and are worth considering. They are cheaper in price (about £70), with replacement filters (£6) renewable every six months. These devices have an ioniser built-in, an electrostatic filter, and a thin activated carbon filter. They have an optional fragrancer, and three speeds of operation. They are as small and unobtrusive as the Trion, but noisier in operation. They have a stronger smell of plastic when new, but this does wear off. These are available from Air Improvement Centre, Beta-Plus, Medivac or Mountain Breeze.
*211\117\8*
