Blog Tag: HVAC systems

There is no lack of comment, opinion and overblown diatribe regarding the upcoming potential “fiscal cliff.” The politicos love to be able to scare people by predicting economic catastrophe if certain members of either party don’t come to a consensus on how to resolve this problem. The interesting thing is that even if the parties don’t agree something will happen without their involvement or decision. And, chances are that all this partisan posturing will be replaced with a compromise that will give credit to both parties while making the right decision for the American public. Disaster averted!

In the field of air filtration there are often two distinct approaches to resolving the same problem. And, like the political parties, one is often more correct than the other. More over, the right decision will have a very positive effect over a very long period of time and for a large number of individuals.

The removal of airborne particles from indoor air environments has always employed some type of mechanical filter. Cloth medias, fiberglass filters, cotton fiber filters and the man made medias ( including HEPA ) have been around for over 70 years. Mechanical filters are simple in nature. They capture the airborne particles that are drawn through them ( usually by a fan or air moving device) and the larger particles get caught in the media fibers while some of the tiny particles pass through. Over time as the filter media loads up, or gets dirtier, even most of the smaller particles are caught in the filter. In the case of HEPA filters, sub-micron particles are captured at efficiencies approaching 99.99% at less than 0.3 microns in size.

One other type of filtration device was also developed and used in the early 50’s and a variation of that technology is still use today. The electronic air cleaner was a simple device that used positive/negative charges to attract particles as they passed through a charged wire grid. The earlier versions were not very effective except for capturing very large particles. The newer versions are slightly better but this technology is really not appropriate for any applications except general duty residential.

In the 70’s another style of air filtration device hit the market. However, these devices were referred to as air purifiers and not air filters. These consisted of ozone generators and ionizers. They did not use any type of media and were touted as being able to purify the air in your home or office and no filters needed to be changed. Simply wipe the attraction plates or replace a small component part once in a while and you had all the clean air you could ask for. Unless you really wanted it to actually work at removing airborne particles.

Air purifiers are simply not capable of eliminating the harmful, sub-micron, airborne particles and allergens in the air. This is the reason that hospitals, laboratories, chip manufacturers, optics companies, the CDC, etc. etc. do not use air purifiers for any application. They rely only on mechanical filters such as HEPA filters. But, the discussion continues to rage on and there are proponents on both sides of the equation.

For more information on mechanical filter and HEPA air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can always reach us at our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

It is always interesting to see how many people believe the historians view of history. The fact is, the legends and stories are usually more hyperbole than truth. The more “glory in the story” the better we like it and the more often the story is told. We often refer to game-changing  historical events when we want to make point in the present. But can we carry the same tune forward 100 years? Is that point really relevant in today’s society? As the world grows up and the connections of current global events now touch our neighborhoods, do we recognize what is happening?  Do we use old catch phrases because we don’t really have a “quick witted comment” to address this new and ever changing society? Are we stepping off a cliff…or just climbing up a hill?

As the world goes through this economic transition one thing stays the same, the product, process and dedication of Pure Air Systems. Started in 1985, PAS is one of the leaders in the commercial HEPA and Carbon based air filtration product markets. With over 27 years of experience and thousands of systems in use around the world, Pure Air Systems has a unique history in this style of product.

In 1985 the term HEPA was only used in a few distinct markets. The newly evolving electronics industry, some medical markets and the asbestos remediation market. Other than that, few people even knew HEPA filtration technology existed. Bringing commercial grade, certified HEPA based air filtration systems to the residential market was a large jump for PAS in 1985. However, the unique filtration capabilities of he HEPA filters were perfectly suited to dealing with small, sub-micron sized airborne allergens and pathogens and their related health challenges.

After 3 years of installing the HEPA systems, specifically the model 600H unit in homes across the US, the name Pure Air Systems became synonymous with high performance and great reliability. From the beginning, PAS decided to build only commercial grade units and not develop a less durable residential grade model. While this meant the cost of the systems would be higher than other air filtration devices aimed at the residential market, their mission was to provide the best available air filtration product that would actually perform above and beyond the expectations of their customers. That philosophy still exists today.

Today, the PAS line consists of 7 different units, all designed with the same commercial grade construction and built to perform. These units are now used in the military, governmental, commercial, institutional, medical, industrial and residential markets. The systems can either be used attached to an existing HVAC or air handling unit or as stand-alone systems. They incorporate the latest in variable speed drive motors and can be HEPA and Carbon or Carbon only systems for applications where odors and gases are the main problem.

Historically speaking, most new companies starting up today have only a 30% chance of still being around after 5 years. Less than 20% of companies make it past 10 years. Being in business for over 27 years means PAS is doing something right.  For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can also like us on our Facebook page or call us at anytime on our toll free number: 800-869-8025.

The Presidential candidates talk about it, the news media constantly harps on it, the American public complains about it, companies tell you about it…but does anyone really, really care about it? You know what I am talking about…the made in America issue. With people believing everything is made in China it seems as though there is nothing we need that isn’t made someplace else. Not true, not true.

Pure Air Systems was founded in 1985 in the US and is still in operation today. Based in Indianapolis Indiana, ( and you can’t get more American than that), PAS is now going on its 28th year of operation as a US manufacturing operation. Pure Air Systems makes a complete line of commercial grade, certified HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems that are used in the residential, commercial, institutional, medical and industrial markets both here and around the world. Each PAS product proudly displays the Made In America label because we believe people want to buy the best American products. However, that is not always the case.

For all that fervor and gnashing of teeth about buying foreign made products, the hard, cold truth is that many people will shop on price only. They may consider buying a US made product but if they can’t find what they are looking for or find that the US made product ( which in many ways may be identical) and foreign made products are similar in design and function, but the US made product is more expensive. This is probably true as the cost to produce products in the US is higher because labor costs and other infrastructure costs are higher.

In some cases, however, the US made product may have a major advantage over the foreign competition as the domestic product may be designed and fabricated from materials that are far superior than their foreign counter parts. PAS products are exactly that. Far superior in both design, fabrication techniques, component parts and performance than almost all other HEPA based air filtration systems on the market today..from anywhere. The PAS units are all fabricated from 16 and 20 gauge powder coated steel and all the component parts are commercial grade, state-0f-the-art designs. With almost 28 years of operational experience and thousands of units in the field…some as old as 25 years..Pure Air Systems has a proven track record for providing the best, most long lasting, high performance HEPA air filtration systems in the world.

The PAS line of HEPA systems is priced in the commercial range because this is the only product base they manufacture. There is no residential grade unit. The HEPA systems used in a clean room environment is the same unit you use in your home. There is no difference. Are they more expensive than the cheaply made, plastic air purifiers available at Walmart and Home Depot? Absolutely. Do they do the same thing…absolutely NOT!

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com, or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or go to our Facebook page. Of course you can always call us at: 800-869-8025.

Filtration of airborne particulate is most often done with a media filter; like the one you use in your HVAC system. Media filters are referred to as mechanical filters since they use the process of interception to capture the airborne particulate both in and on the media surface.

The interior surface area of most man-made fiber filters contains a very tortuous path for the smaller particle to work its way through. The particle will take the path of least resistance but at some point it will eventually be trapped in the filter media itself. For general duty filters like the ones used as furnace filters, tiny, less than 10 micron particles will pass through the entire depth of the filter until some more dust, or dust cake as it is called, is deposited on the outside of the filter.

From a visual point of view, one can see the variations in filter interior density by simply holding the filter up to the light. The old style fiberglass filters, which are still available, will allow you to see objects through the media as this type of filter is designed to capture very large particles and small leaves without adding to much additional resistance to the air filter. As you go up the ladder in filter efficiency you will find the amount of light penetrating the media to become lower until you see very little light penetration. These denser media filters are much better at trapping the smaller, more harmful airborne particles but also have a much higher air flow resistance as the filter loads up.

Two basic physics theories apply to this mechanical function. Lanmuir’s equation and Brownian motion. Both discuss the random action of any particle in space. Since the movement of the particle is random, having a filter media that is constructed of a dense mesh-like construction, such as cotton or polyester medias, provides a better “interception” platform for which to capture or catch the random particle.  Obviously, the denser the interior structure of the filter media the greater the chance for interception of the particle by the fibers in the media.

This physical process of interception carries through into the HEPA class of filters These filters use a special media that is wet made, like newspaper, and contains thousands of pieces of glass per square inch. The HEPA paper is very fragile so it has to be pleated with inserts and then encased in a metal frame. This media, however, has an extremely dense interior and is designed to intercept, on initial use, 99.99% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger. As it loads up the efficiency increases by a factor of 10.

Pure Air Systems is one of those companies that uses these high end filters. Since 1985 PAS has been a leader in the use of commercial grade, certified HEPA filters in all of its air filtration devices. To learn more about HEPA filters and the complete line of HEPA based air filtration devices please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can also find us on Facebook or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

Most HVAC contractors concentrate on selling, installing and maintaining their line(s) of HVAC systems…be it residential or commercial. For most HVAC contractors the larger portion of their profits come from servicing the heating/cooling units and not the sale of the systems. This is especially true for contractors who do mostly new construction. As a result, HVAC contractors rely heavily on maintenance and accessories to boost their bottom line.

Since all HVAC contractors install some type of air filter or air filtration device along with the heating/cooling system, this product also provides a great addition to their line up as it needs to be replaced and/or cleaned on a regular basis. Filtration is a very important part of the total HVAC system. Without any filtration the dirt and dust from both inside and outside the building or structure would eventually clog up the cooling coils, fan, motor and other air flow sensitive equipment and stop the system from operating. Of course, the other main reason is to keep the indoor environment as clean and healthy as possible.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based fan powered, commercial grade air filtration systems since 1985. These systems are all designed to be either attached to an existing HVAC return air duct system or used as stand alone units. Since it inception, PAS has installed well over 10,000 of its model 600HS unit in homes across the US and Canada. Today, many of the larger homes and offices now use the PAS models 1200HS and 2000HS where larger HVAC systems are employed.

The PAS systems are recognized as providing the best air filtration in homes, offices and commercial operations than any other filtration system on the market today. For HVAC contractors, adding the PAS product line to their product line up. The overall flexibility of these units to be installed with almost any HVAC package in any building structure provides a great advantage for contractors looking for a multi-purpose air filtration system. In addition, these units can all be used to not only filter all the air in the specific indoor environment but also introduce small amounts of outside, filtered fresh air when the application calls for it.

One of the major advantages for HVAC contractors to offer the PAS units is the continued loyalty of their customers to the systems. Once the HEPA units are installed, the vast majority of the customers fall in love with the systems. Fewer allergies, colds and less dusting are primary benefits of the systems. This means the customers want to have the same contractor that installed them come back and service them along with their HVAC system. Over time PAS has found that many end users become more loyal to their air filtration systems than their heating/cooling units.

For more information on the complete line of  PAS HEPA and Carbon systems or to find out how to become a dealer, please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

The Transformer series of films based on the Hasbro toys that change from vehicles and planes into robots or “Autobots” as they are called, has become one of the more successful movie franchises in the last 10 years. Optimus Prime is the leader of the good guys against the evil doers lead by Megatron.  This battle is made more interesting because there are humans involved in the conflict interaction.

Transformation or transformed are words we use often to describe a major change in a persons attitude, the rehabilitation of a house or structure or the beautification of a park or previously blighted area. It is sometimes used to describe the performance of a product or service that completely changes or modifies a certain condition.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based fan powered air filtration systems since 1985. These commercial grade, certified HEPA systems have helped thousands of individuals and organizations effectively remove or reduce the levels of harmful airborne contaminants and in many ways “transformed” their lives.

For many individuals and employees of operations that suffer from allergies or physical reactions to some of the more harmful airborne particulate the only relief they can get is either remove them from the source ( which is often difficult to do) or wear some type of mask or facial filtration device.

The majority of these harmful particulate are invisible to the naked eye and fall in the size range of less than 5 microns in size or even less than 1 micron. These particles are aspirated into the lungs and due to the small size often are not aspirated out. With constant exposure to these particulate over time the body starts to reject the contaminant source and the reactions are manifested  in the form of severe respiratory dysfunctions.

HEPA filters are designed to remove no less than 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns and larger and approach similar effectiveness down to 0.12 microns. The HEPA filters used by Pure Air Systems are rated at 99.99% down to 0.3 microns. This highly effective filter media can remove a very high percentage of those airborne contaminants thus transforming the environment from harmful to good. With thousands of systems installed around the world since 1985, Pure Air Systems has become one of the most sought after HEPA based systems on the market today. Their ability to provide significant relief for their customers has been repeated over and over again.

The line of HEPA and Carbon based units offered by PAS, range in size from small portables that are about the size of a small toaster oven to units that are four feet long and 30″ high. Their air flow capacities range from less than 100 CFM to 2000 CFM. PAS now uses the newer ECM motors that are digitally controlled and operate at 120/240 50/60 Hz, so they can be used anywhere in the world in residential, commercial, institutional, medical or industrial applications.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA systems please go to: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow them on twitter @pureairsystems. You can always call them on their toll-free number. 800-869-8025.  

The word pressure connotes a number of concepts. There is pressure to get things done on time, pressure cooking for vegetables and pressure to form a mold with an hydraulic machine. Pressure can be both negative and positive. The use of pressure as it relates to filtration is usually only associated with the medical or chip markets but has more recently been incorporated into the residential markets.

In the medical markets the use of HEPA filtered air for both general IAQ and for surgery suites and isolation rooms is standard. All hospital surgery rooms are pressurized using 100% HEPA filtered air so that if anyone enters the room during a procedure the air will push out through the door or opening not allowing any unfiltered or contaminated air to enter the room.

In the electronics, chip and optics manufacturing processes the same procedure is used. HEPA filtered air is pushed into the assembly and manufacturing rooms at high rates; often changing all the air in the room 100 times per hour. Again, the pressurization of the room eliminates any dust, dirt or airborne particulates from entering the sterile assembly environment even when the room is accessed from the outside.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based high end, commercial grade HEPA filtration systems since 1985. Their fan powered systems are designed to either attach to an existing HVAC system or they can be used as stand-alone units. Over the past 27 years of operation the customer base for PAS has moved away from Residential only to a 60/40 split between the commercial and residential markets. With commercial being the larger growth sector.

Pure Air Systems has numerous HEPA systems in the medical and electronics markets. Some or used for general air filtration but the majority are used for critical care or critical component processes. And almost all of these are used in positive pressure operations. The ability to incorporate the same positive pressure techniques used in the commercial markets into the residential and office markets has been an interesting project.

The introduction of outside, fresh filtered air into a residential or office structure is accomplished by adding one of the PAS HEPA based systems to the HVAC unit and introducing small amounts of outside air through the the HEPA/Carbon/Prefilter filtration package and slightly pressurize the living environment. This significantly reduces the entry of airborne allergens and pathogens into the living space and also reduces the levels of CO2 in the homes and offices.

The use of positive pressure for reduction of airborne contaminants is very effective and in most cases fairly inexpensive to accomplish. For more information on using the PAS HEPA systems to pressurize your home, office, clinic or surgery room please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or like us on our Facebook page. Of course you can always call us on our Toll-Free number at: 800-869-8025.

There are times when you really see something for the first time after seeing it over a 1,000 times. You know what I mean. We are blasted by the media with all types of  new terms now common or strange terms now common. Our acceptance of odd terms and crazy  advertising slogans is amazing. We seldom question these terms because we start using them ourselves. The title of this blog is one of them.

So…when can virgin be extra virgin? Can you be extra dead? Things can be extra special, although special is usually good enough for me. I suppose the term extra denotes that something is better than what you can imagine. Again, if I can’t imagine it, how can it be better? Quite the conundrum. Hm..can you have an extra conundrum?… Get the point.

Companies have a habit of trying to out-do their competition by using the word extra to describe how well their product cleans, or the amount of additional service you’ll get by choosing their company or my favorite….NO EXTRA CHARGE.  Which actually means we are over-charging you for the base service but throwing in some other services that we would normally charge for but you think are free when they really aren’t.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing commercial grade, certified HEPA based air filtration systems since 1985.  From the beginning the metal framed, high performance HEPA and Carbon based systems were designed for commercial, institutional and industrial applications and have exceeded the performance requirements by our customers.

Using ECM style, digitally controlled motors, that are rated 120/240 volt, 50/60Hz, these systems can and are used around the world in applications as simple as food storage pressurization to portable and stationary surgery suites in second and third world countries.  The ability to use motors up to 1 hp but operate on the electrical usage of a 1/3 hp motor which makes these units inexpensive to operate and maintain.

The PAS HEPA systems range in volume capacity, as measured in cubic feet per minute, from under 50 CFM to 2000 cfm. The variable speed controllers available on all units allow for incremental air volume adjustments in 1% increments to allow for finite control of the HEPA filtered air required for your applications. There are few commercial grade HEPA systems on the market that give you this type of control with a full range of systems.

The new HPS 350 and HPS 500 portable units are fast becoming one of the more popular HEPA units available from Pure Air Systems. These compact, yet powerful, HEPA units have four speed volume control and are only 21 inches long and 13 inches square. They weigh less than 24 lbs.  These new systems can be used stand-alone or even configured in a by-pass mode for use with existing HVAC systems.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA units and their applications, please go to our website at; www.pureairsystems.com. You can also follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or follow us on our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pureairsystems. Of course you can always call us on our toll-free number. 800-869-8025..which by the way is at no extra charge…

Change for the sake of change often is not a good thing….unless the change is really needed. For the most part, people resist change even if they know taking a step in a different direction may actually be good for them. Studies have shown that changing someone’s belief in any subject matter is extremely difficult, even if you can show them actual proof their beliefs are not correct.

Getting people to accept that “process interrupt” is difficult. Getting someone to change their habits is usually most effective when the change affects their health. One of the areas associated with healthy living is the use of or the addition of air filters or air filtration systems for those individuals who suffer from severe allergies or other airborne particle induced respiratory dysfunctions.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. They also offer a complete line of dual-layer polyester ring panel filters that can be used individually from the HEPA systems. For most home owners with allergies, the ability to maintain a high level of clean air is very important. They know that airborne dust and allergens ( including pollen, ragweed, grasses, mold, etc.) are not always just outside the home environment. Much of this material is brought into the living spaces and is distributed through out the house via the heating/cooling system.

Removing the smaller airborne particles from the air in your home is most often done by placing a filter in the main return air duct at the junction of the heating/cooling air handler section. This is the most common location for filters. It is important to remember that filtration only occurs when the air handler fan is running so it is better to have the fan switch in the on position on the thermostat all the time so filtration takes place even when heating or cooling of the environment is not required.

Selecting the correct air filter is important. There are many styles and types but you want one that has the greatest efficiency for removing small, micron sized particles without creating too much static pressure resistance for the air handler. Pure Air Systems offers a wide range of sizes of their ring panel filters. These filters have a wire frame which is wrapped with the polyester media allowing for a very tight seal in the return air duct filter slot. This means no particulate bypass of the filter and total capture of all the airborne contaminants.

Most importantly, the filter will need to be changed on a regular basis. Whether you use the PAS filters or another brand, changing the filters at least once every three months or more often is necessary. The filters are constantly loading up with dirt and dust and as they load up the pressure drop across the filter increases and this can actually reduce the air flow through the air handler. Then there is less air being pulled through the entire system and cooling and heating efficiency is dramatically reduced. As is the ability to capture the airborne particles.

Make a rule that every quarter you change the air filter in your HVAC system. Both you and your air handler will breathe better for it.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA, Carbon and Air Filters from PAS please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow us on Twitter: @pureairsystems. Of course you can also call us on our toll free number. 800-869-8025.

For most children the ability to explore their surroundings  is usually conditional to the restraints put on by  their parents…more often than not, their Mother.  Most children have more energy than they know what to do with and running is one way of using that energy. “Don’t run,” is the most often constraint placed on kids. A large number of accidents occur when children run with abandon. It is, however, more challenging when children run with something sharp in their hands….like scissors.

Telling someone not to do something because it may cause them harm often falls on deaf ears until that person has an unfortunate experience with that specific situation. Learning the hard way is often the only way for some.

For people who have severe allergies or companies and technicians who want to control their environment, the use of sub-standard air filtration systems and devices is not uncommon. The decision, however, to use  a filtration device that will not remove the small, sub-micron sized particles to minimize or reduce the allergy problems is as dangerous as running with scissors. Sooner or later something bad will happen.

Over the counter allergy medicine is at best, psychologically helpful. Most of these are anti-histamines and will provide minimal relief, usually just masking the symptoms. Removal of the allergens or removing yourself from the source of the allergens is the only way to really provide some relief. Just like allowing the child to still hold the scissors but not allow them to run, is only a partial solution to the problem.

General duty air filters that are found in your HVAC return or in your return air grills are good for removing large particles and then only when the air handler fan is running. During the off cycles nothing is being pulled through the filters. It is always best to have your fan setting on the thermostat set on run. While this uses a little more electricity, in the long run it will maintain a more even temperature in all rooms of the home or office and keep the air moving toward and through the air filters. This process alone of running the fan continuously is helpful even if you are using standard air filters.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. These commercial grade, certified HEPA systems are used in the residential, commercial, institutional, medical and high-tech manufacturing markets around the world. These systems incorporate some of the most effective and advanced motor and controller devices available on the market today.

Using HEPA filers or HEPA based air filtration systems is still the most effective method of removing the respirable size airborne allergens. The difference in reduction of these particles in using the HEPA filters rather than standard duty air filters is significant. In cases where PAS customers have switched to a HEPA filtration system, over 80% of those with significant allergies found they slept better, had fewer symptoms and needed fewer or no additional allergy medications.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or follow us on Twitter: @purairsystems. You can also reach us on our toll-free number. 800-869-8025.