Permanent HEPA Type Filters – Should you use them?
In this review we would like to take a look at an air cleaner with a permanent HEPA Type Filter. We have all heard much about permanent filters – and have even heard the warnings to stay away from them.
Most permanent filters are simple air filters that you rinse out and replace without issue. Once dry, the filter performs as well as it ever did – which is not to say that a simple air filter does much to clean your air in the first place. Its main purpose is to filter out large airborne particles, but do little to trap dust and manage airborne bacteria.
HEPA type filters are different. Often combined with carbon filters these marvelous filters actually will produce a noticeable effect in your air quality, as well as remove the dangerous bacteria from the air that can make you (or your pets) sick. HEPA Type Filters are serious air cleaning tools.
For our experiment, we thought we would have a look at the Honeywell Compact Air Purifier HHT-011 which uses a Permanent HEPA Type Filter. For approximately $45 dollars, here is what you will be getting.
- Compact table top air purifier
- Effectively treats rooms up to 85 square feet
- Power: 120V A.C., 60Hz., 0.85A (America)
- Permanent HEPA type filter
- Captures up to 99% of mold spores, pollen, pet dander, smoke and dust
- Optional ionizer provides extra cleaning power
- Washable Pre-filter
- Nightlight feature
- Measures 9.40 inches by 5.8 inches by 12.9 inches
- 3-year limited warranty
See this product now at amazon: http://amzn.to/P5V2ky
The Honeywell Compact Air Purifier is a small powerful air cleaner that delivers good results, according to the customers. By using an HEPA Type Filter, a pre-filter and an ionizing field, this unit manages to avoid use of a carbon filter and still do a good job to maintain good air quality.
Of course this model is limited to a room of only 85 feet, but there are larger models, and this one will do to teach us what we came to learn; that is, the effectiveness of using a permanent HEPA Type Filter versus a replaceable one.
There is not a ton of to say about this simple air cleaner. It isn’t a scientific marvel that we can go on about as if it were the Starship Enterprise. What you want to know is if customers see a difference in their air quality – and most do – so the jury seems to have spoken to the effectiveness of this product.
Let us move on now to the main event. We want to try to answer the question whether or not a permanent filter – even an HEPA type filter – is a good idea. We already know that when it comes to purifying the air, it gets the job done. Customers are almost unanimous on this.
You might ask then, why this product receives only scores 3.8 out of five stars. To answer this question, let us have a look at the customer review map.
- 5 star 526
- 4 star 364
- 3 star 160
- 2 star 130
- 1 star 127
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So, out of 1307 customer reviews, fully half of them are under water (below five stars) and that just won’t do. Normally, we consider the four star cases as you know if you are a fan of these reviews – but here that method won’t wash. Here is why.
417 of the reviews are already below even the four star mark (3 stars), so the five-star level becomes important here. That is why this product scored so badly, but it is not only how badly this product scored – it is what the customers said.
First, let us take up the issue of a noisy fan. That is the première symptom of a blocked filter, but it seems to happen even when these units are new. Of course, the reasons really don’t matter. The unit is super noisy – and many customers hate that – and are saying so. So already, we have a problem, Strike one!
Many customers complain that their unit loses effectiveness after several (about six) months. Air quality falls and the units begins either to smell, become more noisy than usual or to fail. The average life of an HEPA type filter is about six months, and these units begin fail in that period. Before that, they are fine. Now, doesn’t that seem peculiar to you?
Well, we smelled a rat – and it was stinking up the joint. We are betting that the filter clogged – and it remained clogged even after customers numerous attempts to clean it. In fact, one customers unit worked just fine – UNTIL he cleaned the filter. Therefore, this issue leads us back to the filters again. The pitcher winds and delivers strike two!
Then, there are the customers who are actually able to identify their problem. They say straight out that after several months, no air seems to be passing through the air filter. The customer claims to have washed the filter several times – but still it will not pass air. So here the diagnosis is easy. Strike three!
Well, it didn’t take long to strike this thing out, did it? Moreover, we got a lesson out of it too. Despite any claims made by anybody anywhere – do NOT rely on any permanent filter of any kind - and especially any HEPA Type Filter. If you like a certain unit fine, but always make sure that you can get filter replacements. 'Nuff said.
In no case did we encounter any review from a customer who actually replaced his HEPA type filter with a new one before the unit died. Would that have saved the unit? We think yes – but so far, we haven’t found the proof of this. There are over 1300 customer reviews here, so if you would like to make the search – you can use the link below and be our guest.
Obviously, we cannot recommend this unit, and we certainly don't suggest running a unit using an HEPA Type Filter without replacing the filter, but we learn something even from the products that earlier customers feel is flawed. Reading about their experiences is fun, educational and can save you many hours of frustration.
Shop Smart & Prosper!
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