ALEN AIR PURIFIER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

Many people wonder how –and if– air purifiers work. We get this question a lot, and nothing makes us happier than hearing our customers say how air purifiers have greatly improved their lives. For many, it takes less than 48 hours to see a reduction in dust, relief from allergy symptoms and improved sleep. Others are shocked when they see their air purifier filters loaded with microscopic particles they didn't know they were breathing.

We have compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help guide you through the process of purchasing your new Alen Air Purifier as well as some general operating guidelines:

Why should I care about my indoor air quality?

So why isn't indoor air pollution a topic people know more about?

When we think of significant air quality hazards, it is outdoor pollution that comes to mind. Having clean air to breathe seems more like a generalized environmental concern. As long as we avoid excessive amounts of smoke and have the inner sanctums of our homes to take refuge, most people likely view air quality as an issue that applies to the outdoors. Unfortunately, that is not the case. With an abundance of indoor air pollutants that can plague our health, education is key.

How does Alen Corp help consumers navigate and overcome the dangers of indoor air pollution?

Our mission at Alen Corp is to help people "Live Better" – we are committed to educating the public so they can make healthier choices, as well as providing superior solutions for this crucial need. At Alen Corp, we strongly believe that education about the concerns of indoor air quality will empower everyone to make well-informed decisions about the health and well-being of their family.

How does something as essential and seemingly free-flowing as air become such a prevalent hazard in our homes?

One major factor that contributes to indoor air pollution is a lack of adequate ventilation. First and foremost, homes are built to be energy efficient, and that means sealing it up tight so ambient energy doesn't escape and hike up your utility bills. However, what is good for your finances is actually working against you when it comes to your lung and heart health.

"What harm can a little dust do?"

The truth is that even though these various imperceptible particles are undetectable to the human eye and other senses, your lungs and heart are in jeopardy. Airborne particles (also known as Particulate Matter) are a mixture of microscopic solids and liquid droplets suspended in the air. Made up of a variety of particle pollution elements, this mixture can include dust, chemical fumes, gases, smoke and biological contaminants such as skin flakes, mold, dust mite and roach excrement, pollen, animal dander and various other sources. When inhaled, they pose a serious danger relating to the development or worsening of lung disease and can compromise your cardiovascular health. Allergy and asthma sufferers are particularly at risk, as well children and the elderly. Alen Air Purifiers are a simple solution to significantly reducing these very alarming health hazards.

How does my indoor air quality relate to the local outdoor air quality in my area?

We tend to think we are safe from the dangers of air pollution when in the sanctity of our own homes. However, this is not the case. While indoor air is, on average, 2 to 5x more polluted than outdoor air, the two are still related. Outdoor air does travel inside at certain times, and local allergens as well as auto emissions or smog will also make their way into your home and become trapped. Increasing ventilation and air circulation with clean purified air is recommended by the EPA, and can be achieved with the regular use of Alen Air Purifiers.

What should I look for in an air purifier?

What are the current air purifier technologies that are available?

RECOMMENDED - HEPA Air Purifier: High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) air purifiers utilize the most effective filter technology on the market. Only HEPA air purifiers can remove a significant amount of allergens and pollutants from the air—up to 99% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.
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NOT RECOMMENDED – Electrostatic Air Purifier: An electrostatic air purifier does not use a filter, but rather an internal filtration system, which attracts charged particles. This internal filtration system has to be cleaned regularly, and over time becomes less efficient.
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NOT RECOMMENDED – Ionic Ozone Air Purifier: An ionizer charges particles in the air, making it easier for filters and cleaners to trap and can be effective when used in combination with a HEPA style filter. However, when used alone, it is less effective and can produce harmful levels of ozone in the process.
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Of all the air purifier options available, what is the most effective air purifier technology?

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are proven to be the most effective air purifying technology available today. HEPA air filters were actually designed by the U.S. Military in the 1940s, and are recommended by the U.S. Department of Defense as a must-have item for the safety of your household, to be used as protection from possible airborne toxins. All Alen Air Purifiers utilize HEPA style air filters.

Various other air purification technologies are available, and Alen Corp recommends using these as secondary technologies to complement our powerful HEPA air filters. Used alone, the other air purification technologies are not believed to be potent enough to be an effective, stand-alone solution.

How do I select the best air purifier for my lifestyle and my specific needs?

Many Alen Air Purifiers offer air filter upgrades––by choosing an upgraded air filter you can get a truly customized air purifier that is tailored to your unique needs. When shopping for an air purifier, you should first consider what kind of indoor air pollutants you are trying to eliminate. For instance–whether you want to remove allergens, odors, chemicals, smoke or germs and bacteria–we offer different filter technologies to address the specific needs of your home.
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Once you have pinpointed the specific air quality concerns I have, what other factors should I evaluate in order to select the right air purifier for my home?

Room sizes (measured in square footage) should be compared with listed coverage areas
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Air exchanges per hour– How often all the air is completely replaced in the room
Filter replacement frequency and costs
Ease of getting replacement filters (Learn about our AutoShip Plan for added convenience and costs savings, including FREE Shipping)
Availability of upgraded filter options to address specific concerns– heavy odors, smoke, bacteria and germs
Noise levels of the air purifier on different fan speeds
Whether the unit produces ozone, a lung irritant and health concern
Extra features, such as a filter-change indicator or other sensors
What type of warranty the manufacturer provides for their air purifiers– (Get info about Alen's Limited Lifetime Warranty)
Return Policy– (Learn more about Alen's 60 Day Risk-Free Guarantee)
Availability of trained Air Quality Specialists to answer your specific questions and help with the decision process (Call 1-800-630-2396 to speak with a trained Alen Air Quality Specialist to help you choose the right unit for your needs)

Where can I find air purifier reviews that will help me select the best air purifier?

As always, we encourage visitors to view the myriad of enthusiastic customer reviews that we receive for Alen Air Purifiers, praising how well our products work and our superior customer service. View customer reviews at the bottom of each product page.

Why is it important to find a company that specializes in air purifiers?

Unfortunately the air purifier marketplace is saturated with misinformation–filled with false claims and over-hyped products that have little to no effect on the overall health of our indoor air. Gathering information from unreliable sources can really undermine your efforts to improve your indoor air quality. That is precisely why it is important to find well-respected sources of information that you can trust.

Which air purifier can address my specific concerns?

Someone in my household has a pet allergy. How can air purifiers help, and are they an effective solution?

Someone in my household has a pet allergy. How can air purifiers help, and are they an effective solution?
Yes. Pet allergies such as dog allergies and cat allergies are a frequent problem. Pet allergies are caused by the tiny allergens found in their saliva and dander (dead skin) which becomes airborne when pets clean themselves or shed. Air purifiers can help remove these microscopic particles from the air you breathe, which commonly trigger allergic reactions and asthma. (Shop Air Purifiers for Pet Allergies)
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I think that I may have a dust allergy. How can Alen Air Purifiers help?

The only way to know for sure about your particular set of allergies is to visit a licensed dermatologist and get an allergy skin test. However, at any given time, there are an abundance of common allergy particles in your indoor air (including dust and dust mite excrement), and Alen Corp offers a solution to this troubling problem. Our HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) style filters–found in all Alen Air Purifiers–are proven to remove common allergens from the air inside your home.
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I am extremely allergic to mold. Which Alen Air Purifier can help with my mold allergy?

Mold has been associated with a variety of adverse health effects such as wheezing, prolonged coughing, fatigue and headaches. As mold grows on surfaces, it releases airborne allergens and sometimes toxic substances—which may trigger asthma or allergy attacks. Alen Air Purifiers capture airborne mold spores and can help relieve mold allergies.
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Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) sound extremely hazardous. What exactly are VOCs?

The EPA describes Volatile Organic Compounds as chemicals that evaporate at room temperature which are emitted by a wide array of products used in homes––including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, varnishes, cleaning supplies, air fresheners, pesticides, building materials and even furnishings. VOCs are released from products into the home both during use and while stored. According to the EPA, VOCs cause eye, nose and throat irritation, frequent headaches, nausea, and can also damage the liver, kidney and central nervous system.

Can Alen Corp's air purifiers and filters help rid my home of VOCs?

Many of Alen Corp's air filters include a layer of Activated Carbon. This layer is covered with microscopic cracks and holes that are designed to trap and remove airborne odors, gases and chemicals from cleaning products, personal care items, smoke, cooking odors, spoiled food and more. If your environment contains higher levels of VOCs, view our recommended air purifier for chemicals and vocs.

How do I use my new air purifier to get the greatest benefit?

Which room should I use my air purifier in?

If you only own one air purifier, the ideal place to put the unit is in your bedroom. This is the room in your home where you spend the most time out of each day. An air purifier in the bedroom can contribute to a better night's sleep by reducing allergy symptoms that make a good night's sleep difficult. In addition, the white and pink noise produced by an air purifier can help you sleep more soundly.

Where should I place my air purifier?

For all air purifiers, you will want to be sure to not block the air entrance and exit vents. Try to keep your unit at least 1 foot away from walls, and furniture. This will allow air to circulate properly around the room and into the air purifier.

For Tower units, directing the air out into the room is best. Do not direct the clean air at a wall or furniture or this can interrupt the airflow in the room. For box units that direct air upwards, do not place them under a table, or a shelf, which can block the airflow. Allowing the airflow to blow to the ceiling is best, as it will circulate along the ceiling and around the room, bringing dirty air back towards the unit.

When should I run my air purifier?

We recommend that you run your air purifier 24 hours a day. However, if this is not practical for your situation there are proper ways to use your air purifier to maximize its performance.

When placing an air purifier in a room for the first time, it is best to turn the unit up to the highest speed for 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the room size. A unit rated for 750 square feet can reduce the airborne particles by 95% in less than 60 minutes in a room of 375 square feet. For a room rated at the maximum coverage area of the unit, such as 750 square foot room, you must let the unit run for twice as long to clean the air.

Once you have run the unit on high and cleaned the air in the room, do not turn it off or the air will quickly return to pre-cleaned levels in as little as 3-4 hours. Instead, you should turn the unit down to speed 2 or 3. This will be high enough to maintain clean air in the room. If you do turn the unit off, then the next time you turn it on, you should follow the same step as if you placed the unit in a new room: turning to the highest speed for at least an hour.

Why should I run it 24/7?

Although an air purifier may clean a room up to 95% in only an hour, it can only keep the room clean while it is running. In a home with a HVAC system circulating air, the air coming out of your vents will be significantly dirtier than the air in the room with the air purifier. Most HVAC systems in homes or offices have never had their air ducts cleaned. The filters in these systems are not meant to purify the air for you to breathe, but only to remove the largest of dust particles to protect the mechanical operation of the HVAC system. Over time, the HVAC system accumulates dust particles in the vents and ducts. When it turns on, it will be circulating this dust throughout your house.

What speed should I run it on?

The speed you use should correspond to the room size that you have placed the unit in. If you get a unit rated up to 750 square feet, this means 750 square feet of coverage on the highest speed. Using it on a lower speed will take longer to clean the room.

What if I have other questions?

If you have other questions, please first check the product manual. If your questions are still not answered, feel free to give our customer service team a call at 1-800-630-2396.