New Ventilating Room Air Purifer Uses "Clean and Green" Approach to Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants that can Trigger Respiratory Problems
Patented HEPAiRx now available for sale from Air Innovations, Inc. The first and only patented indoor air quality product in America that is dedicated to improving the health of occupants by using fresh, outside air.
Syracuse, NY (PRWEB) January 15, 2011
The first and only patented indoor air quality product in America that is dedicated to improving the health of occupants by using fresh, outside air is now available. Designed and manufactured by Air Innovations, the HEPAiRx® ventilating room air purifier quickly and effectively dilutes, filters and reduces the indoor pollutants that are often cited as causes of asthma, respiratory irritations and allergic reactions.
"Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is critical to maintaining good health," said Larry Wetzel, a licensed professional engineer, chairman of Air Innovations, and inventor of the HEPAiRx. "Poor IAQ has been linked to the high incidence of asthma, a disease that afflicts more than 22 million Americans, including 6.5 million children."
Wetzel, who has spent his entire 45-year career in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning field, is considered an expert in IAQ and its applications in ultra-clean environments such as hospital operating rooms, pharmaceutical and semiconductor cleanrooms. He holds eight U. S. and European patents for IAQ products used in industry, health care and homes.
"Ninety-five percent of the families who participated in a recent HEPAiRx clinical trial were so impressed with how well the product worked and how much better their children felt that they decided to keep the unit afterwards," said Wetzel.
The commercial launch of HEPAiRx® will be welcome news to the millions of Americans who suffer from illnesses triggered by poor indoor air quality.
According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, "Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home."
HEPAiRx is a uniquely packaged combination of an energy recovery ventilator, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, heater and air conditioner that is conveniently window-mounted.
"These features are important because they allow the room to be treated separately from the rest of the house," said Wetzel. "This prevents the home's heating and cooling system from continuously re-contaminating the air with pollutants. Also, by isolating the room and providing a slight positive pressure, good air quality can be maintained by mixing and re-circulating room and outside air continuously through the HEPA filter."
The window-mounted HEPAiRx is most effective in single-room settings, such as bedrooms where people spend large amounts of time. HEPAiRx has undergone several years of testing in the bedrooms of children who have physician-diagnosed asthma. The unit's soothing "white noise" often blocks sounds outside or inside the house, which may help occupants sleep better.
HEPAiRx research results have been published in two peer-reviewed journals and have been presented at several international indoor air quality technical conferences. The studies show that, within minutes, the unit removes and reduces the kinds of pollutants that trigger respiratory irritations that can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma. These include ultra-fine airborne particulates from cooking, sneezing and animal dander that drift around in the air for hours and are easily stirred up with a minimum amount of activity. A second category of contaminants that HEPAiRx addresses are gaseous compounds like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide as well as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde.
"The VOCs are mostly by-products of chemicals used in fuels and building materials such as plastics and paint. Even a computer contains hundreds of components that are made from organic compounds that will continuously release VOCs over time," said Wetzel.
More than $2 million dollars in competitive grants and matching monies have been invested to further refine the product and expand clinical research in the area of asthma symptom mitigation. Sponsors include New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), New York State Foundation for Science and Technology, Syracuse Center of Excellence, and CenterState CEO. Research partners to date include Tufts Medical University, University of Buffalo and Clarkson University.
NYSERDA has invested $500,000 in HEPAiRx, in order to aid development and testing and to encourage commercialization efforts. NYSERDA, a state organization that promotes clean-energy technology, became interested in the system because it provides a more energy-efficient way to bring fresh air into a building.
HEPAiRx is made to commercial standards for durability and longevity. For example, the exterior surfaces are powder-coated aluminum for weather resistance. Pre-filters help capture larger airborne particles such as animal dander. The unit, which runs on regular household current (115V), features cooling, heating or auto modes that are easily adjusted to the individual's temperature preferences. Subtle blue lights on the display panel continuously indicate room temperature and humidity levels. Air nozzles on the top of the unit are fully adjustable and direct the air in a 360-degree arc to maximize distribution throughout the room. Switches are conveniently located on the front control panel to adjust the re-circulating airflow from low to high speed and to change between occupied and unoccupied room use, for occupant comfort and for energy conservation. A window sleeve, which supports the unit and facilitates installation, is included with purchase.
HEPAiRx, manufactured at Air Innovations'headquarters in North Syracuse, N. Y., is ETL certified to Underwriters' Laboratories and Canadian performance and safety standards. The unit is patented in the United States and has been cleared for international registration in 33 European countries and Canada.
HEPAiRx may be reimbursable under customers' flexible spending and health savings accounts with a doctor's prescription. "Customers should check with their medical insurance company for other reimbursement possibilities," said Wetzel.
The product, which retails for $3,595, may be purchased direct from Air Innovations. Tax, shipping and handling are additional. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted. Orders may be placed by calling Air Innovations toll free at 800-825-3268.
For more information about HEPAiRx, visit http://www. hepairx. com or e-mail info(at)hepairx(dot)com.
ABOUT AIR INNOVATIONS
Air Innovations (AI) was established in 1986 and is a leader in specialty air conditioning, refrigeration and environmental control solutions for original equipment manufacturersaround the world. The company's systems are custom designs that feature close tolerance control of temperature (to 0.01°C), humidity control (to 0.5% stability), filtration, and pressurization, and can be configured into a variety of spaces. AI's capabilities range from concept development to prototyping, from small runs to mass production.
Products are design/built for customers in such industries as: aerospace, military; homeland security; pharmaceutical; medical devices; R&D; and, electronics. In addition to HEPAiRx, the company's branded products include Floratech® floral coolers for supermarkets and Wine Guardian® wine cellar cooling systems for residential, restaurant and commercial applications.
AI was named to Inc. magazine's 2010 list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America. Among Inc. 5000 manufacturers, on the list, Air Innovations was positioned as the 113th fastest growing. Recently it was named an "Economic Champion" by CenterState CEO, a business leadership and economic development organization that serves 12 counties in Upstate New York, for contributing to the region's growth by increasing employment, expanding its facilities, and making significant investments in training and staff development.
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