Austin Air Systems
Austin Air has stepped up production to meet the needs of hospitals as well as individual families during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. In terms of whether Austin Air Systems air purifiers are useful against COVID-19, here is the statement Austin Air released on March 24th, 2020:
"Over recent weeks as COVID-19 continues to spread to countries across the world, we are all concerned about our health and the health of our loved ones, particularly if they are elderly or have ongoing health problems.
As this global crisis unfolds, we have noticed a huge increase in demand for our products. And it is clear many people have lots of questions and concerns. As we face the challenges ahead, we thought we’d take this opportunity to explain how our units can help.
COVID-19 is a new strain of virus that as yet, remains untested. However, the HEPA technology used in our filters is clinically proven to remove 95% of all pollutants as small as 0.1 microns. The COVID-19 virus is larger than this, at 0.12 microns in size. So we are confident our air purifiers are effectively removing the vast majority of the virus when it is airborne.
However, it is important to mention, that as well as airborne transmission, the virus can also be spread via surfaces and human contact. Therefore, it is vital that we regularly wash our hands and practice social distancing.
If COVID-19 is your main concern, we would recommend the Austin Air HealthMate or the HealthMate Plus. Both models use HEPA technology and are effective at removing 95% of all airborne viruses, as well as everyday pollutants such as dust, dander, and allergens. The HealthMate Plus model gives you added protection against chemicals and VOCs."
See the Austin Air Purifiers
Austin Air was inspired by the real-life challenge and effort for one of the owners to find relief from problems with breathing.
In The Words of Austin Air's Founders:
Our mission has always been helping people, and over the last 30 years, our focus has remained the same. The Austin Air story began with Austin Air co-creator, Joyce Taylor. Joyce has severe breathing problems and nothing seemed to help. She and her husband and co-creator, Richard Taylor, discovered the hospital "clean room" was the only place she could find relief. Joyce and Richard were determined to create a solution that could vastly improve their health and the health of many other families. This motivation led to Austin Air manufacturing the world's best personal air cleaner.
Inspired by the hospital "clean room" and drawing from its technology, we created True Medical Grade HEPA filter paper. Clean rooms are designed to control the air by filtering it of dust and particles; a concept that we replicated and applied to everyday living.
People heard about our clean air solution, and by word-of-mouth, Austin Air grew from a handful of hand-assembled units and filters to a full manufacturing process. Since then, we've expanded our business to over 470,000 square feet of American manufacturing and warehouse space. Although we've grown, every aspect of Austin Air manufacturing is controlled in-house, just as it started. As of April 2020, Austin Air units are being shipped to hospitals and other healthcare settings, as well as private homes throughout the United States as a supportive measure against Coronavirus – COVID 19.
FAQs – Answers to Common Questions About Austin Air Medical-Grade HEPA Air Purifiers:
PRODUCT QUESTIONS:
What kind of filters are used?
Austin Air cleaners use a 4-stage filter containing only the best-proven filter mediums for cleaning the air. In every Austin Air cleaner, you will find Medical Grade HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance) and Activated Carbon addressing the most serious household airborne contaminants. Only trusted technology used in hospitals and operating rooms will be found in Austin Air Cleaners.
What exactly is a HEPA filter?
The HEPA (High-Efficiency Particle Arresting) filter was developed by the US Atomic Energy Commission to filter out sub-micron particles. All True Medical HEPA is laser-tested and must remove a minimum of 99.97% of all particulate matter greater than 0.3 microns in size. A human hair is about 300 times too large to penetrate a HEPA filter.
Pollens, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores are much larger than 0.3 microns, meaning they are no match for a True Medical HEPA air filter.
When would a Standard vs. a Junior unit be recommended?
A standard unit is good for a one-story house or apartment. A HealthMate Jr unit would be recommended for a single room.
What is the difference between the Allergy Machine and the HealthMate?
The difference is in the filters.
The HealthMate has a True Medical HEPA filter surrounded by a carbon/zeolite mixture which absorbs odors and gases. The standard filter weighs approximately 21 lbs.
The Allergy Machine has a HEGA filter. The HEGA is comprised of a True Medical HEPA filter placed outside an advanced military carbon cloth which absorbs odors and gases. The Allergy Machine filter weighs approximately 8 lbs.
Which is better for me the Allergy Machine or the HealthMate?
Both products are effective for those people with allergies and asthma. The Allergy Machine can be more effective for people who need to use the air purifier in an environment with higher than normal humidity. It is also much lighter in weight. The HealthMate products work very well for the majority of our customers and are generally more effective for those people with chemical sensitivities.
What is the difference between the HealthMate and the HealthMate+ Plus?
Both have a True Medical HEPA filter and granular carbon and zeolite. The carbon in the Plus model is impregnated with potassium iodide. This makes the unit even more effective at removing formaldehyde and ammonia. Austin Air’s HealthMate + Plus is best used in places like new homes, laboratories, beauty salons, funeral homes, etc. Sources of formaldehyde in homes can be carpets, wood panels, construction materials, and furniture upholstery.
Why are Austin Air's products superior to others on the market?
Our filters make us better. Austin Air uses True Medical HEPA filter paper in all of our air cleaners (60 sq ft in the HealthMate, HealthMate + Plus and Allergy Machine and 30 sq ft in the HealthMate Jr), 15 lbs. of activated carbon to maximize surface area in the HealthMate product and an advanced military carbon cloth in the Allergy Machine placed inside the True Medical HEPA filter to capture odors and gases.
Some other companies use a carbon blanket outside the HEPA filter, which doesn't provide much of a surface area for trapping harmful particles. Austin Air's products are made of steel and have a powder coat paint, which is baked on, so the products do not off-gas.
Other companies have plastic products and/or use sprayed on paint, so their products can emit harmful gases. Austin Air's products have a high-velocity airflow, which creates a clean air pocket around the user. If you turn on an Austin Air cleaner next to a competitor’s you can really feel the difference. Austin Air's products can clean the air in most bedrooms in less than 15 minutes.
Austin Air Cleaners use energy-efficient PSC motors, running your air cleaner can use less energy than some light bulbs.
Austin Air offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, a 5-year parts and labor guarantee and a 5-year pro-rated filter guarantee. Once you experience super cleaned air, you will agree, Austin Air’s products are superior to others on the market.
How do I know Austin Air is really the best?
Austin Air has been tested by some of the world’s most respected testing labs like Battelle. Laboratories and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Extensive tests on flow rate, flow design, removal of vapors, gases and sub-micron particles have been performed on an Austin Air cleaner.
As a result of this testing, Austin Air was chosen by the US Government to fulfill the largest deployment of air cleaners in American history and chosen by FEMA and The Red Cross to address the serious air quality concerns in post 9/11 New York. When clean air is critical and lives depend on it, Austin Air remains the #1 choice.
What contaminants will Austin Air cleaners remove from the air?
Austin Air cleaners deliver a complete filtration solution, removing a wide variety of particles, sub-micron particles, chemicals, gases, micro-organisms, and odors. This includes such things as dust, mold, pollen, tobacco smoke, chemical vapors, gases, viruses, and bacteria.
Do Austin Air cleaners produce any dangerous by-products?
Unlike air cleaners that use electrostatic-precipitation or ionic generation, the Austin Air cleaners do not emit any by-products such as toxic ozone. The Austin Air cleaner produces nothing but clean air.
How reliable is the construction?
The entire body of the air cleaner is made of solid steel, which has been welded together to prevent any rattles. The paint used is powder coating, baked at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This process eliminates any odor or off-gas emissions while enhancing durability.
