Alexapure Breeze Air Purifier. Photo from Fylnacam.com

An air purifier is an essential innovation that many people use nowadays. Air is important in our lives. It is necessary for survival and good health, just like water and food. While we are very particular in the food and drink we consume, we discern less the air quality we have in our homes. We are alarmed in a dirty toilet rather than polluted air.

Luckily, there's a piece of equipment now known as the air purifier. This innovative product can remove contaminants in the air and produce multiple health benefits. We will discuss how an air purifier was invented, where it started, what its benefits are, and how it works. Today, one of the most popular air purifiers is the Alexapure Breeze, and we'll tackle it below.

History

The patent for the first air purifier was awarded to Charles Anthony Deane in 1830. The original concept uses 'double bellows.' Its design utilizes a helmet made of copper, and it has a collar and garment which is flexible. The garment is made of cloth or leather, and it has straps. A long hose made of leather is attached to the rear side of the helmet to supply the air to the user. Meanwhile, a short hose will allow the escape of the breathed air. In the meantime, John Stenhouse created the first respirator in the 1860s. He used wood charcoals to purify the air, and he applied two patents for it. On the other hand, John Tyndal, from 1871 to 1874, improved the respirator by adding some features to it. He included a hood that can filter the gas with clean air. Meanwhile, the commercialization of HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) filters started in the 1950s, and it spread throughout the world. These filters were created to filter the air and control airborne contaminants, which are radioactive.

Benefits of Air Purifier

Air purifiers can remove and purify microns, which measures from 0.3 and even to larger sizes. It can make the environment inside our homes dust-free. For example, ionic purifiers can make our homes dust-free and free of all other impurities. This product is suitable for people who have asthma. With air purifiers, they can breathe pure air because allergens are removed from it. On the other hand, air ozone purifiers can eliminate the smell of burned cigarettes, medicinal and kitchen odors. Apart from cleaning the air, some of the wonders of air purifiers are protecting the room decorations and furniture. It can also reduce housekeeping and maintenance on some of the important household tools by preventing overheating appliances.

Kinds of Air Purifiers

Air passes through the filters in air purifiers. The filters will catch the small particles and remove them from the air in the room. There are three or more filters in one air purifier that work harmoniously with each other. Here are the different kinds of air purifiers:

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter

The first kind of filter in the air purifier is known as the pre-filter. This acts as the first line of defense, and it is made of large holes. This filter will catch the larger particles, also known as the 'coarse' filter. Pre-filters are rarely replaced, unlike other filters. The next level inside the air purifier, which is finer than the pre-filter, is called the HEPA filter. This type of filter meets the standard of the Department of Energy. It has holes that measure just a fraction of a micron. It can stop the finest and airborne particles, which are invisible to the naked eye. The HEPA filter will ultimately clog with dust accumulated. Thus it needs replacement occasionally to protect the function of the air purifier.

Adsorbents

Various air purifiers include an adsorbent material that will take care of fumes, chemicals, and other odors in the air. Adsorption is the process of trapping one substance on the surface of another. One of the most popular adsorbent materials is activated charcoal. It has many holes and microscopic nooks that can trap other passing molecules. Large particles such as dust will stick in the pores of the charcoal through a process called electrostatic attraction. The charcoal's high surface area will give wider bonding space for the atoms.

Ionizing Purifiers

Photo from Best Home Improvement.
Ionizing Purifiers uses a method known as 'corona discharge.' This product can create ions or charged molecules. The atoms in the atmosphere have a neutral charge. The number of positively charged protons is equal to the negatively charged electrons. The corona discharge has an intense electrical field which is small. The molecules that pass on it will pick up the electrons, knock them off, and give them a positive charge. Dust, contaminants, and other large particles in the air are more likely to be ionized because they make big targets for the electrons as they pass through the corona discharge. Any particles that are charged will be attracted to anything that is the opposite charge. To attract the particles, the air purifier has two plates made of negative and positive metal. But if the particles have opposite charges, they will be dragged to each other. Once it goes together and gets heavy, they settle in the air.

Ozone Generators

Photo from Rexel. it
Another kind of air purifier is the ozone generator. This system works like an ionizing cleaner, but it will alter the oxygen molecules and turn them into ozone. The atmosphere has oxygen and dioxygen, which are made up of two oxygen atoms. When the dioxygen molecules are exposed to UV light, they split into two separate and free oxygen atoms. Some of the atoms recombine as dioxygen in the air, while some form as ozone. People claim that the ozone generator has multiple health benefits. Meanwhile, this kind of air purifier creator believes that this device can disinfect and deodorize the air. However, according to research, ozone generators do not purify the air. Ozone is also popular to be a toxic gas, and it reacts with other chemicals in the air. It is not stable, and it can form new compounds while in its surroundings. Ozone can also oxidize metals and cause corrosion. Furthermore, the process of creating ozone can create nitrogen oxides which are harmful to the air.

Ultra-violet (UV) Light

Photo from Air Purifier Reviews
The last kind of air purifier uses ultraviolet (UV) radiations which can make microorganisms harmless and sterile. This technology is used with other filter systems since it doesn't clear other airborne particles. However, UV light is a good method to kill viruses, bacteria, and germs. This technology uses a UV lamp. While the microorganisms pass by the UV rays from the lamp, genetic or cellular damage occurs. The use of UV technology can convert molecules such as water and oxygen into hydroxyl and ozone. The active molecules will react to the pollutants in the air and convert them into harmless components like carbon dioxide and carbon. A UV air purifier can minimize and clean the ozone since it is not good for cleaning and is considered a harmful pollutant. For the UV light to be effective, it must have an effective wattage and exposure of the light. Moreover, the UV lamp should be monitored accordingly and replaced when necessary. Although UV light is an effective method to kill bacteria and viruses, it is still recommended to use this with a good filter system. Without a filter system, the microorganisms will get shaded from the light by particulates. Some air purifiers use HEPA or activated charcoal filters and UV light as the final stage of filtration.

Indoor Air Pollutants

The pollutants that affect the air quality inside the home can be two major categories. These are the following:
  • Gaseous Pollutants- This can come from the combustion processes. It can come from the vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and cooking stove. The building materials and furnishings can also produce gaseous pollutants. Lastly, various products like paints, varnishes, pesticides, cleaning detergents, and adhesives can be a source of gaseous pollutants.
  • Particulate Matter-This includes pollen, dust, cigarette smoke, and animal dander. This can also come from the particles from combustion like cooking stoves. Finally, particulate matter can come from particles with tiny organisms. Examples of these are molds, bacteria, dust mites, and viruses.

Types of Pollutants an Air Cleaner Can Remove

Today, there are various types of air cleaning products that are available in the market. Each one aims to remove certain types of air pollutants.

Removal of Particulate Matter

For particulate matter, there are two types of techniques for its removal. These are through the use of electronic air cleaners and mechanical air filters. The mechanical air filters capture the particles via the filter materials, thus removing them from the air. In this category, you can find the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. Meanwhile, the electronic air cleaners use a process to charge the particles. An example of this is the electrostatic precipitators via electrostatic attraction. Through ionization, they draw the air, and particles obtain a charge. Now, the particles with charge are on flat plates. These are the collectors. Meanwhile, the ionizers or ion generators disperse ions with a charge in the air. This works similarly with electronic air cleaners. However, it does not have a collector. The ions attach to the airborne particles. It gives them a charge to let them attach to nearby particles such as the furniture or walls. They can also attach and then settle faster.

Removal of Gaseous Pollutants

Meanwhile, the gas-phase air filters can remove odors and gases with the use of an absorbent. An example of this material is activated carbon. This one can absorb the pollutants. Typically, this filter is designed to remove one or more gaseous pollutants that pass through them. Since the gas-phase filters are specifically made for only one or a limited number of pollutants, they will not reduce the concentration of pollutants they originally designed. Some air cleaning products with gas-phase filters features can remove a part of the gaseous pollutants and their adversary effects. This can be true temporarily only. For example, you can capture carbon monoxide through the use of residential gas-phase filtration products. There can be carbon monoxide production through oil, gas, wood, charcoal, or kerosene. It is a dangerous pollutant that can harm the body.

Destroying Pollutants

Some devices aim to destroy air pollutants. One type is through the use of Ultraviolet technology. Examples are the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) cleaners plus the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) cleaners. Meanwhile, ozone generators are also available as air cleaners in the market today. They aim to produce ozone gas which destroys the pollutants. However, the use of ozone generators can irritate the lungs in the long run.
  • Ozone Generators: The Ozone generators use UV light. With the electrical discharge, it can now produce ozone. With ozone, it can remove most of the indoor air contaminants. However, it can irritate the lungs and cause adverse health effects. As such, ozone generators are not always safe in controlling air pollutants.
  • PCO Cleaners: You can use this together with the UV lamp. With the catalyst, it can react with the light. The PCO cleaners aim to destroy gaseous pollutants through their conversion into harmless products. However, these are not made for the elimination of particulate matter.
  • UVGI Cleaners: This device uses the UV radiation which comes from the UV lamps. They destroy air pollutants like allergens, viruses, and bacteria. The UVGI cleaners can also destroy the airborne molds which are found in the HVAC surfaces. These are usually seen on the drain pans, cooling coils, or ductwork. If you wish to use the UVGI cleaners, apply them with the filtration systems. You cannot use it as a replacement.

Measuring the Performance of the Air Cleaners

There are several ways to determine how good air-cleaning devices function. This depends on the basic configuration and the type of the device. Indeed, all air cleaning technologies include HVAC systems or portable air cleaners.

Removal of In-Duct Particle

The majority of the mechanical air filters are good at capturing large airborne particles. Examples of which are the dust mite, pollen, molds, allergens, and animal dander. But since these large particles settle instantly, the air filters are not that exceptional with their removal indoors. Indeed, human activities like vacuuming and walking can stir the particles. However, most of the larger particles will resettle long before the air filter can eliminate them. Consumers can choose a particle to remove air filters by checking its efficiency in removing air particles. You can check how it can remove the particles from the air stream as it passes through it. You can measure this by the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). This is available on air filters which come in the ductwork of most of the HVAC systems. This method was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The MERV ratings range from 1 to 20, which enables the comparison of air filters from different manufacturers.
  • Panel Air Filters/ Flat Air Filter

This one has a MERV rating of 1 to 4. It is available in air conditioners and residential furnaces. They employ this to protect the HVAC devices from the materials buildup. This is true for the surfaces of heating or cooling coils and fan motors. Indeed, the panel filters are not good for direct indoor. Meanwhile, it has low efficiency on the smaller airborne matter, and they have medium efficiency for a larger matter.
  • Pleated Surface Filters or Extended Surface Filters:

This one has a medium efficiency with a MERV rating of 5 to 13. This is efficient in removing small to large airborne matter. Moreover, it is less expensive than HEPA filters, and they can control the airborne particles inside the home. Also, they allow quieter HVAC fan operation plus higher airflow rates. This is unlike the HEPA filters because pleated surface filters have lesser airflow resistance.

Portable Air Cleaners

Generally, the portable air cleaners include a fan to enable the circulation of the air. It also uses one or more air-cleaning devices discussed above. You can move the portable air cleaners from one room to another. Also, you can use it for localized or continuous air cleaning. This is a good option for homes that are not equipped with a central HVAC system. You can evaluate the effectiveness of portable air cleaners with their ability to reduce airborne pollutants. You can measure it via a clean air delivery rate or CADR.

Alexapure Breeze Air Purifier

Company

The Alexapure products were started by Matt Redhawk from Sandpoint, Idaho. He created this product based on their family and the people's need to have efficient, advanced technology and affordable water filter system and air purifier. Alexapure came from his daughter's name, Alexandra. Apart from Alexapure, he is also into emergency survival brands like 'My Patriot Supply, Patriot Pantry.' The Alexapure products are made in the United States, and they have strict control over their manufacture. Their products include Alexapure Go which is a water bottle with ionic absorption microfilters. They also have an Alexapure Pitcher that removes around 92 contaminants in the water. For 300 gallons of water, Alexapure offers a Survival Spring filter that can fit your pocket. It is handy and lightweight. They also offer a 5-gallon water tote for several outdoor activities. The company also provides the Alexapure Pro water filter, which can supply a new source of drinking water. The Alexapure unveiled the Alexapure pro water filter in 2015. Matt, together with a team of engineers, spent two years perfecting the Pro water filter. On the other hand, the Alexapure Breeze filters the air and provides a four-stage purification process.

Specifications

Photo from 'My Patriot Supply'
The Alexapure Air Breeze can remove up to 99.9% of contaminants in the air through a patented technology called as IonCluster. It features four stages of the purification process for quality air. It can release ion clusters in the air, and water molecules will surround it, attaching to airborne particles and molecules. The product also attacks airborne microbes, and it cleans the air with no ozone byproduct. The Alexapure Breeze has pre-filters, activated carbon, and HEPA filters that can remove even small particles which measure 0.3 microns. In addition, it can cover up to 800 square feet and can fit any part of the house. Its Clean Air Delivery Rate or CADR is 315 m3 (cubic meters) per hour. The unit also features an intelligent auto mode that can adjust to the air quality of the room. It works in silent mode, which is 16 dB only, and it is, in fact, even quieter than a whisper which is 30 dB. The fan motor of this air purifier also has five levels of control. The unit also uses minimal energy. It will only use a maximum power of 0.5 kWh of energy. It only measures the size of a large briefcase and is available in white color. The product dimension is 7" x 13.5" x 21.5", weighing about 6 pounds. It is easy to clean and maintain, unlike other brands.

Pros of Using Alexapure Breeze Air Purifier

There are many benefits of using the Alexapure Breeze Air Purifier. One, with the IonCluster technology, cleaning air contaminants is possible in every corner of your house up to 800 feet. In addition, it doesn't need any replacement, and it is 100% ozone-free. This technology is indeed safe for the family. Second, it is easy to use, and you can just leave it inside your house. There's no complicated button to push or any settings to adjust. Just turn it on, and it will work alone. Third, the unit is quiet which runs at 16 decibels only. It also goes into night mode when you sleep at night. Its lights go dim, and it runs in a quiet setting. The unit can fit any part of the house, and it is lightweight and slim. Fourth, it is easy to clean. You can dust the outer casing using a soft cloth. Meanwhile, the filters can be scrubbed by a pad with soap and water. Rinse it and replace it. Although you can clean the filters, it is still best to change it when it is dirty. Lastly, this air purifier is cheaper than any other brand. It can clean more air faster than other products available in the market. The Alexapure Breeze has a Clean Air Delivery Rate or CADR of 315 m3 (cubic meters) per hour.

Cons of Using Alexapure Breeze Air Purifier

There is almost no disadvantage of using the Alexapure Breeze Air Purifier. Only our fears of using a small, cheap, and energy-efficient unit promise to do what it was designed to do. The makers of this product are confident that buyers will fall in love with what they offer, and that is indeed true.

Where to Buy

You can buy it at the My Patriot Supply website and avail free shipping to any part of the United States and Canada. In addition, the company also comes with a money-back guarantee. The company offers a double your money-back guarantee because they believe that the Alexapure Breeze is good. Filters of Alexapure Breeze is available on the My Patriot Supply website too. For some, the filters of the Alexapure Breeze can last for two years of constant use. You don't need to change the filters often, and the users will save money using this product.

Conclusion

In sum, air purifiers have revolutionized air quality in the modern society we now live in. For years, there have been debates going on if this unit can be useful in our homes. But with the various reviews available, the public has learned to believe in the wonders of air purifiers. Since their introduction, air purifiers have expanded and become a profitable business. The makers also incorporated new technologies such as HEPA filters, UV rays, and Alexapure's IonCluster technology to suit each user's needs. Now, we are more confident to live in a healthy environment. We can fight allergies and socialize more with our friends and loved ones, all thanks to air purifiers.

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