Frequently Asked Questions

What is a certified HEPA filter and why is it important?

A certified HEPA filter is a hospital grade HEPA filter that has been individually tested to ensure it performs at HEPA efficiency. The standard HEPA filter is rated to be 99.97% at .3 microns, but the filters used in all Pyramid Air Solutions, Inc. products are rated at 99.99% efficiency at .3 microns, given .3 microns is the most penetrating particle. However, certified HEPA filters are virtually 100% efficient at filtering out larger particles and smaller particles (down to 0.001 microns in size).

Many residential and commercial units claim to use "true" HEPA filters, "Bio-HEPA" filters, or "HEPA-type" filters. Even though they say they perform at 99.97% efficiency at .3 microns, it is usually just the media and not the actual filter that (can) perform at that efficiency. And if the media is not effectively sealed within the filter frame, air bypass will occur so that the filter itself will perform at a much lower efficiency. This is why hospitals and medical facilities are only allowed to use certified HEPA filters in their high risk infection control areas if they are to meet CDC and OSHA guidelines for infection control. They are not to use "true" HEPA filters or any other marketing variable because these filters are only "HEPA" in name.

Given the HEPA filter is the most important component of a HEPA air cleaner, it is important to have a certified HEPA filter in an air cleaner. For what is the point of paying hundreds of dollars for a supposed high efficiency HEPA air cleaner if in reality it performs no better than the air conditioning filter in your house? The HEPA filter is supposed to take out the submicron contaminants in your house, including dust, allergens, pet dander, dust mite particles, and more. But if you choose a unit that does not contain a certified HEPA filter, there are no guarantees that the primary filter in the product is performing as advertised.

Why is sealing the HEPA filter in the cabinet so important?

A HEPA air cleaner is first only as effective as its HEPA filter, and second only as good as the way the HEPA filter is sealed into the cabinet. Air will always follow the path of least resistance. So even with a certified HEPA filter, if the filter is not sealed within the cabinet to prevent air bypass, the efficiency of the entire unit as a whole is poor. With all PAS products, the HEPA filter is mechanically sealed within the cabinet to prevent air bypass. Because of this and the quality of the HEPA filter, individual particle concentration tests at the exhaust of each unit (even TRACS and EZ Air) can result in "0" particle counts .3 microns and higher.

What are the benefits of UV lamps?

UV Technology has been used for over 50 years as a means of destroying airborne and surface microorganisms. The 253.7 nm wavelengths in UV-C have been proven to effectively deactivate bacteria, viruses, molds, and more ranging from influenza to Tuberculosis at certain dosage levels. Not only do all of our UV units create enough UV dosage to destroy airborne viruses and bacteria, but in each unit the UV is located before and radiating on the dirty/inlet side of the HEPA filter. This key aspect of our design (which is part of one of our patents), ensures that larger molds collected on the HEPA filter are deactivated over time. Mold is large (10 to 30 microns in size) so it requires an incredibly high UV dosage for destruction (see UV Dosage Chart) in order to be destroyed on a single pass. However, given its size, it is easy for a certified HEPA filter to trap. The problem is that mold or other larger microorganisms that get trapped on the HEPA may continue to live and feed of other trapped particles. Eventually, this could destroy the integrity of the HEPA filter, ruining its efficiency, or more importantly the HEPA could become a breeding ground for microbes that are sent into your room through the compromised HEPA. But given the UV lamps shine on the dirty side of the HEPA filter (where the mold, etc... is trapped); all trapped molds are destroyed over time by the constant UV "bath." This not only creates a healthier environment for the person changing the filter, but it also helps the HEPA filter last longer than non-UV models (up to 6 years).

Please note that UV is only effective against microorganisms, as despite what some manufacturers may say it will not reduce particulate levels and should not be used for odor control.

Is the UV in your units harmful, and does it create Ozone?

Pyramid only uses non-ozone producing UV lamps. As the EPA and other organizations have mentioned on numerous occasions, ozone is only an effective odor remover when used in high concentrations, and high concentrations of ozone are very harmful for your health. Therefore, high ozone producing products should be avoided.

UV light, on the other hand, is much like sunlight: it can burn your eyes and skin. So whereas you would not stare directly at the sun, you should also not stare directly at a UV lamp. However, it is not harmful to see passive sunlight (we see it on a daily basis), and it is similarly not harmful to see passive UV light from an air cleaner. For your safety, all PAS units containing ultraviolet light employ safety interlock switches that turn the electrical power off to the unit when the access door is open. And when necessary, our UV units have shields covering each lamp to prevent direct UV access through air vents. Furthermore, all interior wiring in our UV units is shielded by internal metal from UV exposure, ensuring that the UV cannot degrade any of the wiring over time. In all, all direct UV light is completely contained within the unit, so the UV found in all of our air treatment systems is completely safe for any and all use.

Why do TRACS and EZ Air operate with only 3.5 lbs of carbon?

TRACS and EZ Air were designed to provide hospital grade efficiency while being affordable to consumers. The carbon filters in TRACS are meant for regular replacement, as carbon in any system can quickly become saturated and therefore be ineffective at removing odors, chemicals and gasses. Carbon acts like a sponge, and once it is saturated it will actually expel trapped fumes and chemicals. Even systems containing more than 10 lbs. of carbon likely need to be changed every four to six months or they can begin out-gassing trapped odors, chemicals, and gases. This can be quite expensive in many air cleaners as the carbon filters can cost in the hundreds of dollars.

Given prefilters in any air cleaner should be changed at least quarterly, PAS combined the prefilter function with the need for fresh activated carbon in the TRACS design; instead of changing just a prefilter pad on a regular basis, a carbon pack that combines particulate and odor removal is changed. The key factor in this design is that the retail price of the TRACS carbon prefilter pack (and postfilter pack) is actually comparable to the cost of standard prefilters/postfilters in many air cleaners on the market today. Therefore, if changed regularly, (every three months), the odor, chemical, and gas adsorption in TRACS will remain at peak efficiency and effectiveness while still costing much less than larger, more bulky carbon filters. And the cumulative amount of fresh carbon used over the course of a year in TRACS is actually the same or greater than the amount of carbon used in other units.

EVERY TRACS AND EZ AIR UNIT COMES WITH A TYPICAL YEAR�S SUPPLY (THREE) OF CARBON PREFILTER PACKS FOR AN ANNUAL AMOUNT OF 10.5 LBS OF CARBON.

Why is it important to have independent Carbon and HEPA filters?

Carbon adsorbs odors, chemicals, and gases like a sponge and even larger amounts of carbon (10 lb. filters or more) will become saturated after one year. Think of a sponge that you are slowly adding water to; once it gets filled up, it begins to release water that it had previously trapped. With carbon, this is known as outgassing. Therefore, in order for a unit to be able to continue removing odors, chemicals, and VOCs, old saturated carbon needs to be replaced. HEPA filters, however, will typically last much longer. But if the carbon filter is part of the HEPA filter, consumers will be forced to pay to replace the expensive HEPA along with the carbon filter, increasing replacement costs significantly from year to year.

How much space will a TRACS or EZ Air purification system effectively clean?

Both units will clean effectively in spaces up to 1500 ft2 in size. The difference is the number of air changes per hour that occur in that space. The more air changes per hour in a room, the faster the contaminants are removed and replaced with clean, fresh air. Please review the following:

*8' ceilings assumed for ACH determination

**Air Changes Per Hour:� Term used to measure room airflow (ventilation) rates. ACH is a measure of the rate (time) it takes to clean/remove all of the air in the room, and replace it with clean/fresh air. For example, if 9 ACH are created in a room, then all of the air in the room will be cleaned 9 times per hour.

***350 cfm (high speed) used to make calculations

Now, it is important to note that an air cleaner can only clean the air that it comes in direct contact with. And despite what some manufacturers may want you to believe, a room air cleaner can only clean single contiguous areas, not your whole house. For instance, if you place your air cleaner up in your second story bedroom, do not expect the unit to clean your downstairs living room. Room air cleaners are just that; air cleaners for individual rooms. There will be some residual effect down a hallway or in adjacent areas, but the primary cleaning area for a room air cleaner is in the room that it is located in.

Where should I place my air cleaner for maximum efficiency?

The TRACS and EZ Air systems are designed for placement virtually anywhere in the room due to its three sided air intake and three sided exhaust. We recommend placing the unit in the room that you spend most of your time, such as a bedroom or living area. However, we recommend that you place the unit away from any air conditioning return grilles. Otherwise, clean air exhausted from the unit could immediately be drawn into the return ductwork for your HVAC system. Both TRACS and EZ Air are equipped with wheels so they can be moved from room to room as necessary.

Are TRACS and EZ Air easy to maintain?

All replacement parts are easily accessed in TRACS and EZ Air through a single back panel. No tools are required for maintenance as the back panels are affixed to the back of the cabinet with easy to use nylon knurl thumb screws. The Prefilters and HEPA filters slide smoothly in and out of each model, and there is direct access to simply pop in and out the UV lamps in TRACS. An indicator light in both TRACS and EZ Air is attached to a differential pressure switch that illuminates the light when the HEPA gets clogged. In TRACS, another indicator light shines when the UV lamps are running properly, but the light goes out when the lamps need to be replaced.

How long do the Carbon Prefilter Packs last in TRACS and EZ Air?

Given carbon adsorbs odors, chemicals and gases like a sponge, the lifespan will depend on the amount of contaminants in the room. Standard lifespan is about four months, but it could last much less time if there are a lot of odors in the room or longer in cleaner areas.

Will your units solve all of my allergy problems?

An air cleaner is an environmental control to help protect you from allergy and asthma triggers. It will not cure your actual allergies. It will remove the contaminants from your room that cause your allergy symptoms, but it will not solve larger issues in your house that could be part of the problem. For instance, if you have a mold allergy and there is mold growing behind a wall due to a water leak, the first thing you need to do is remove the mold from the wall. The air cleaner will take out mold from the air but will not fix the source of the problem. Similarly, if an air cleaner removes 90%+ of the contaminants in your room, you could still get allergy triggers from pollen, etc.. when you go outside. In all, an air cleaner is designed to minimize the contaminants and triggers that allergy sufferers face at their home and office. However, if there are other problems in the house or the house is dirty and continually producing allergy triggers, then there is no way for your allergy symptoms to be "cured."

Should I use a Whole House Cleaner instead of a Room Air Cleaner?

Many people ask if a whole house air cleaner attached to their heating and air conditioning system would work better than an in-room air cleaner. Unfortunately, an air cleaner attached to the existing heating and cooling system is very inefficient at removing the majority of contaminants in your house. This is because heating and cooling systems are designed to do just that; heat and cool. Supply and return ductwork is located to maximize heating and cooling, not to remove contaminants from all parts of the house. Such systems typically have one main return in a central location, supply vents located in each room, and move air under low velocity. They also contain blowers that typically cannot overcome the static pressure of a high efficiency filter (PAS does not endorse the use of ozone/ionization systems in central systems, and electrostatic units with collection plates are rarely cleaned enough to maintain basic efficiency). The only way a whole house air cleaner could effectively work is if ductwork separate from the heating/cooling system were run that provides higher velocity air (due to a larger blower) and supplies and returns in each room. Otherwise, an in-room air cleaner that can aggressively take out contaminants from the air is the best solution.