IQ AIR ANALYSIS
The comparison is listed below:
|
IQ
Air
|
Care
2000
|
|
| Total unit weight in pounds |
35
|
50
|
| Unit size in inches |
28
x 15 x 16
|
29
x 14 x 15
|
| HEPA filter square foot |
37.5
|
80
|
| Filter monitoring |
time
only
|
pressure
guage
|
| UVGI monitoring |
none
|
LED
light
|
| Carbon weight in pounds |
6
|
15
|
| Noise level in decibels |
68
high
|
55
high
|
|
40
low
|
43
low
|
|
| UVGI lamp wattage |
n/a
|
2
@ 9 w
|
| Lamp germicidal irradiation |
n/a
|
64 m w-s/cm2 with 2 lamps
|
| UV effective chamber size |
n/a
|
14"
x 15" x 10"
|
|
Micro watt sec/cm squared of effective irradiation power used for killing airborne pathogens |
0
|
12,456
|
This unit has no UV. The CARE2000 has 12,456 m w-s/cm2at high speed and 43,600 m w-s/cm2 at low speed.
The airflow pattern set up with the supply air out four sides has always been a poor way to get air back into a room. There is short cycling of clean air even on high speed and on low speed the short cycling is most prevalent. Clean air must be directed into the breathing zone. This way people are breathing the cleanest air possible, all the time.
The 26 square foot area, 65% pleated prefilter, will load up and plug with dirt very quickly, this will lower the airflow rates way below the indicated amounts. This will also reduce the effective air changes for the room, thereby giving the consumer a false sense of security. This filter will need changing before the recommended 6 to 18 months (it is good that it is easy to change).
The airflow rate is listed on the controls as 360cfm. This speed has a very high dB rating and a low pitch growl sound like a jet engine also is very bothersome. The unit would not typically be used on high speed because of the noise; one actually could not carry on a conversation. In order to have the same noise level equal to the CARE2000, the IQAir must be on speed 3 at 90 cfm, while the CARE2000 is on high at 350 cfm, 4 times the airflow or cleaning power.
The lowest setting the manufacturer states on the control panel, is so low that no real, effective air changes are made and at minimal air cleaning, with a lot of short cycling. CFM is shown as 30 and tested at 25. The next speeds were listed as 60 and 90 cfm but where tested at 30 and 70 cfm.
Having a timer to set for controlling the unit cycling will lengthen the filter life but shorten your own life. I maintain that an air purifier must be on all the time to be effective. Cleaning the air is a constant problem, not just when you open the door or enter the room. Our homes and offices are not airtight; the air will simply get cleaner for our own benefit and health.
The filter monitoring is by an elapsed time meter, not an actual pressure gauge. This timing system will have the consumer changing filters too late if the spaces it is used in are more gaseous or dirtier than the norm.
This unit looks very nice with an electronic control panel, however the short cycling of air, minimal carbon, short prefilter life, no UVGI and the high noise levels, makes the looks insignificant.
The effectiveness and benefits of the CARE2000 far outweigh the looks of the IQAir.
