Austin Air HEGA Air Purifiers for High Efficiency Gas Absorption
High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA) Air purifiers by Austin Air. Austin HEGA and HEGA JR. Air Purifiers for allergen, gas, odor, and Chemical control. Austin Air Allergy Machines with HEPA and HEGA filtration. Expert reviews and ratings.
Austin Air HEGA Air Purifiers Expert:
Austin HEGA Standard Air Purifier 2 pre-filters, 60 sq. ft. Medical grade HEPA, Activated Military Carbon Cloth. Covers up to 625 sq. ft.
Introduction to Austin Air HEGA and HEGA Jr. Air Purifiers
Austin Air is a popular choice with our customers, and for good reasons. They offer an excellent value for the money, and are protected by a 5 year warranty. Designed from the inside out with the focus on filtration (the most essential aspect of air purification), the Austin Air HEGA air purifiers provide a comprehensive air cleaning solution, removing allergens, asthma irritants, sub-micron particles, chemicals and noxious gases. The Austin Air HEGA air cleaners provide better control of gases, chemicals, and odors than the Healthmate Series because they feature an activated military carbon cloth as the 4th stage of filtration for High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA). This HEGA filtration combined with a true medical HEPA filter delivers the clean air needed to be able to breathe easily and help prevent allergy or asthma attacks.
Austin Air HEGA and HEGA Jr. Air Purifiers - which is best for you?
Austin Air HEGA Air Purifiers
Austin Air HEGA Air Purifiers Expert:
Size: 23"H x 14.5"L x 14.5" W; 35 lbs.
Effective Coverage Area: up to 625 sq. ft.
High Efficiency Air Purification: HEPA and HEGA filtration removes a wide variety of contaminants, including dust, pollens, dander, gas, odors, smoke, chemical vapors and more
Filters: features a permanent pre-filter, a 60 sq. ft. true medical grade HEPA filter and an activated military carbon cloth for High Efficiency Gas Absorption
Fan: 400 cfm, 3 speeds, manual control
Power: 1.3 amps, 120 volts, 135 watts at highest setting
High Efficiency Air Purification: HEPA and HEGA filtration removes a wide variety of contaminants, including dust, pollens, dander, gas, odors, smoke, chemical vapors and more
Filters: features 2 permanent pre-filters, a 30 sq. ft. true medical grade HEPA filter and an activated military carbon cloth for High Efficiency Gas Absorption
Fan: 200 cfm, 3 speeds, manual control
Power: 1 amp, 120 volts, 80 watts on highest setting
Features of Austin Air HEGA and HEGA Jr. Air Purifiers
The HEGA filtration design was developed by Austin Air's product development team because they wanted to find a way to combine the gas trapping properties of a carbon cloth with HEPA particle filtration. Austin's engineers named their new filtration discovery HEGA - High Efficiency Gas Adsorption. It consists of an activated carbon lightweight cloth, which is powerful enough to protect military personnel from toxic poisons. Because of this, it is also more effective for smoke filtration.
360° Progressive 4 Stage High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA) Filtering System:
STAGE 1 - Large Particle Pre-filter removes particles easily seen by the naked eye (e.g. dust, hair and pet dander).
STAGE 2 - Medium particle pre-filter removes small to medium size particles (e.g. molds, spores and pollen).
STAGE 3 - True medical grade HEPA filter removes harmful particles and micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria and viruses) at a 99.97% efficiency down to 0.3 microns.
STAGE 4 - Activated military Carbon cloth removes chemicals, gases, and odors (e.g. formaldehyde and ammonia).
Long Filter Life: Filter is rated to last 5 years under normal used. This claim is backed by Austin Air’s 5 year pro-rated filter warranty. It is recommended to vacuum the pre-filters every three months or so to maintain filter efficiency. Vacuuming can be done from the outside of the unit.
Low energy use: Uses little energy even on its highest setting – 80-135 watts at the highest setting (depending on model).
Air Flow: Fast and efficient - features a 360° air intake system and clean air flows out from one side and the upper deck outlet.
Housing: All steel construction, finished with a baked-on powder coat - will not off-gas.
Four color choices :
HEGA - High Efficiency Gas Adsorption Technology Explained
Most people have heard of HEPA filtration which is HIGH EFFICIENCY PARTICULATE ARRESTANCE filtration (good for small particles such as dust, dander, pollen, mold, smoke, etc.). The HEGA filter is a carbon filter that is used instead of granular carbon. Gas molecules are often attached to particles which are longer than the gas molecules. The particles can and do plug up activated carbon pre-maturely reducing the life of the carbon dramatically. Activated carbon is very soft and air passing over it breaks off microscopic pieces which you don't want in the air. For this reason air is passed over carbon first and HEPA second. This eventually leads to gas molecules getting trapped in the HEPA and emitting odors.
The carbon cloth does not create dust. For this reason, it is safe to reverse Austin's standard filtration system for the HEGA Air Purifiers and filter the air over the HEPA first and the carbon second. There are several benefits to this. In this reversed filter process, the particles are stripped off the gas molecules as they pass through the HEPA. This allows the carbon cloth to adsorb the gas without getting plugged up with particles. It also lets the carbon cloth adsorb a lot more gas. If the gas does get stuck on the HEPA, the odors can still be captured on the carbon cloth. In summary, the Austin HEGA air purifiers are a light air cleaner with longer lasting activated carbon.
Reports by Experts and Customers - Austin Air HEGA and HEGA Jr. Air Purifiers
Expert Review:
Courtesy of AllergyBuyersClub.com
We wish Austin Air had submitted their units to AHAM to back up their claims around specifications. However, the listed specifications of this filter are excellent. Remember that if you want the fan on low to control noise, the air exchange rate is proportionately smaller.
Pluses:
Great Value Choice offering high efficiency air filtration with low maintenance and costs for under $500
Low maintenance: pre-filter can be vacuumed from outside the unit as needed and the filter only needs to be changed every 3-5 years
Long lasting HEPA and carbon cloth: the filter can lasts up to 5 years before it needs replacement; supported by a 5 year prorated guarantee under normal residential use
Activated military carbon cloth: is the same as used by the military and in hospitals, it is very effective at removing harmful and irritating chemicals, gases, and odors that can trigger asthma or allergy attacks. Also does not produce dust.
Energy cost efficient: economical to run with a low watt power consumption at highest setting - same amount of energy it takes to run an 80-100 watt light bulb
Durable exterior: casing materials are of superior steel construction with a baked-on powder coat finish
Simple design: is not flashy or obtrusive and is an easy fit with most decors; available in four basic color choices: sandstone, white, black or silver
Austin Air purifiers have all been UL, CSA and CE approved
Minuses:
Not one of our most quiet air purifiers – approx. 50 decibels on low is not the best for sleepers who like silence
Does not have a filter change indicator so you have to keep track of how long the filters have been in use.
The HEGA Jr. does not include casters, but it is lighter at 12 lbs. and therefore easier to move than the standard HEGA (35 lbs. with casters); Casters for the Jr. are sold separately.
Summary:
The Austin Air HEGA series are a great value choice air purifier for allergy sufferers, controlling airborne particles along with smoke, gases, and odors. They are simple in design with their focus on filtration. The HEGA series air purifiers are good for smoke, gas and odor removal because their last stage of filtration is an activated carbon cloth that is the same quality as those used by the military and hospitals. The carbon cloth does not produce dust, therefore making it efficient for the air to pass through the HEPA filter first, capturing the particles and allowing the carbon cloth to absorb more gas because it is not getting plugged up with particles. If you are searching for an economical air purifier that is reliable and requires little attention, then an Austin Air is for you. These units require very little maintenance and have low costs replacement filters. The pre-filters are designed to be vacuumed from the outside and the HEPA and carbon filters only need to be replaced every 3-5 years depending on use. They also come with a 5-year warranty that includes the filter too, which is rare.
High efficiency HEPA and HEGA filtration removes a wide variety of airborne particles, gas, smoke, and chemical vapors in a room up to 625 sq. ft. Includes a permanent pre-filter, 60 sq. ft. true medical grade HEPA filter, an activated military carbon cloth, manual controls, and 4 casters. 5 year warranty.
Austin HEGA Jr. Air Purifiers
AU AP HEJR$299.99
High efficiency HEPA and HEGA filtration removes a wide variety of airborne particles, gas, odors, and chemical vapors in a room up to 225 sq. ft. Includes 2 permanent pre-filter, 30 sq. ft. true medical grade HEPA filter, an activated military carbon cloth, manual controls. 5 year warranty. Casters sold separately.
Austin HEGA Replacement Filter
AU AP HEFL$179.99
Austin HEGA Junior Filter Replacement
AU AP HJFL$134.99
Austin Junior Air Purifier Casters
AU AP CASTERS$37.95
4 casters come attached to a new bottom plate. To attach, simple remove the 4 screws at the bottom of the unit, remove the existing bottom plate and replace with the new bottom plate that has the casters attached.
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Austin Air is a popular choice with our customers, and for good reasons. They offer an excellent value for the money, and are protected by a 5 year warranty. Designed from the inside out with the focus on filtration (the most essential aspect of air purification), the Austin Air HEGA air purifiers provide a comprehensive air cleaning solution, removing allergens, asthma irritants, sub-micron particles, chemicals and noxious gases. The Austin Air HEGA air cleaners provide better control of gases, chemicals, and odors than the Healthmate Series because they feature an activated military carbon cloth as the 4th stage of filtration for High Efficiency Gas Absorption (HEGA). This HEGA filtration combined with a true medical HEPA filter delivers the clean air needed to be able to breathe easily and help prevent allergy or asthma attacks.
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