We’re always happy to answer any questions you may have. Whether you’re new to Austin Air or you’ve been with us for 30 years. So this week, we decided to put some of your questions into one place!
Here’s a list of our FAQ’s, from customers new and old.
Q I just received my unit, now what should I do?
Our units are designed to run hassle free. Simply unbox your unit. Place it in the bedroom at least 4 inches away from the wall. Switch it on the highest setting for a few hours and then turn down to a setting you feel comfortable with.
Q How long has Austin Air Systems been in business?
Since 1990.
Q 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 Grade HEPA is laser-tested and must remove a minimum of 99.97% of all particulate matter greater than 0.3 microns in size.
Q. What is HEGA?
HEGA is short for High Efficiency Gas adsorption and is unique to Austin Air Purifiers. This Military Grade Carbon Cloth is made by weaving carbon into a cloth. This provides an extremely large surface area for the adsorption of chemicals, gases, viruses and bacteria.
Q. What are Carbon and Zeolite used for?
Carbon and Zeolite are used to remove gases, odors and chemicals. Both have properties that allow them to adsorb chemicals and gaseous materials.
Q. What is the pre-filter made of?
The pre-filter or Permafilt is made of poly-cotton blend.
Q What is the difference between the HealthMate™ the HealthMate Plus™ and the Bedroom Machine™?
The HealthMate™ and the HealthMate Plus™ both have four stages of filtration. The Bedroom Machine uses five.
All units use a large particle pre-filter. This removes particles easily seen by the naked eye (e.g. dust, hair and pet dander)
A medium particle pre-filter is used in all units to remove small to medium size particles (e.g. molds, spores and pollen)
All our units also use a True Medical Grade HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns and 99% of all particles larger than 0.1 microns. This includes allergens, viruses* and bacteria.
The HealthMate™ and the Bedroom Machine™ use a blend of Carbon and Zeolite for the adsorption of odors, chemicals and gases.
The Healthmate Plus™ also uses a Carbon and Zeolite blend but the Carbon in the Plus model is impregnated with Potassium Iodide. This gives protection against Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), formaldehydes and benzenes.
The fifth stage of filtration in the Bedroom Machine™ uses a Military Grade HEGA Carbon Cloth (High Efficiency Gas Arrestance). This provides an extremely large surface area for adsorption of chemicals, gases, viruses and bacteria.
Q Which is better for me the HealthMate™ the HealthMate Plus™ or the Bedroom Machine™
All our products are effective for people with allergies and asthma. For anyone with everyday air quality concerns the HealthMate™ is a good choice.
The HealthMate Plus™ is the best option for people with a new or remodeled home, where there may be high levels of chemicals and formaldehyde from paint, new carpets, furnishings and construction material.
The HealthMate Plus™ is also a good choice for people affected by wildfire smoke.
The Bedroom Machine™ offers the ultimate protection, particularly in heavily contaminated environments or for people with extreme sensitivity to chemicals and pollutants.
We also recommend the Bedroom Machine™ when people are looking for extra protection against viruses.
Q Why are Austin Air’s products superior to others on the market?
Our filter technology is far more comprehensive than other air purifiers on the market.
Austin Air uses True Medical Grade HEPA in all of its air purifiers – 60 sq ft in the Standard HealthMate™, HealthMate+™ and the Bedroom Machine™ and 30 sq ft in the Junior Machines.
All standard size Austin Air filters use over 780 cubic inches of Activated Carbon and Zeolite. The Bedroom Machine™ also uses a Military Grade HEGA Carbon Cloth for extra protection against chemicals, gases, viruses and bacteria.
In comparison, other companies use a carbon blanket outside the HEPA filter, this does not provide an adequate surface area for trapping harmful particles.
Austin Air’s products are made of steel and use a powder coat paint, which is baked on, so our products do not off gas. Other companies use plastic products and/or sprayed on paint, causing them to potentially emit harmful gases.
Austin Air products have a high-velocity airflow, which creates a clean air pocket around the user. If you turn on an Austin Air Purifier next to a competitor’s you can really feel the difference. Our units can clean the air in most bedrooms in less than 15 minutes.
Austin Air Purifiers are clinically proven to remove contaminants from the air.
Our 5-year filter life is unrivalled. Our competitor filters last for a fraction of this time, making the long term cost much higher.
Q. Is there a warranty with my unit?
Austin Air offers a 30-day money back guarantee, a 5-year parts and labor guarantee and a 5-year pro-rated filter guarantee. Once you experience clean air, you will agree, Austin Air products are superior to others on the market.
Q. How many square feet of HEPA does each unit use?
All standard size units use 60 Sq. Ft. of HEPA. All junior size units have 30 Sq. Ft. of HEPA
Q. What is the CFM rate?
The CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) indicates how much air passes through the unit every minute. All standard size units are 250 CFM on high and 125 CFM on medium. The junior size units are 125 CFM on high and 62.5 CFM on medium.
Q. What are the guarantees?
The motor, fan and other working parts are guaranteed for 5 years. The filter carries a pro-rated 5-year warranty. This means if the filter lasts less than 5 years, Austin Air will discount the cost of a new filter based on the number of years the used filter has been in use.
Q. What is the pro-rated discount on replacement filters?
Up to 2 years of use 40% off retail price, plus shipping.
2 to 3 years of use 30% off retail price, plus shipping.
3 to 4 years of use 20% off retail price, plus shipping.
4 to 5 years of use 10% off retail price, plus shipping.
Q. What is the CADR? (Clean Air Delivery Rate)
We do not endorse the CADR as it does not accurately measure how clean the air is. The CADR is calculated by multiplying the airflow by the filtration efficiency. A unit that has a flow rate of 200 CFM and a 50% efficient filter has a CADR of 100. A unit that has a flow rate of 100 CFM and a filter efficiency of 100% will also have a CADR of 100. Both machines have the same CADR, however the second is the better air purifier.
Q. How do I know when the filter is full and needs to be replaced?
There are two indicators the filter needs replacing. If there is an unpleasant odor coming from the unit, the carbon is likely full. Or if you notice a significantly reduced airflow, it is probably time to replace your filter.
Q. Why don’t you have Bluetooth functions like some of your competitors?
Our units are solid, robust and reliable. We do not have Bluetooth functions linked to an app on a cell phone because cell phones don’t clean the air. It’s our filter technology, running all the time, that does that. When you receive your Austin, turn it on and leave it to run, it’s a simple as that.
Q. Which filter fits my machine?
All units made in 1996 or later use our current filter design. This type of standard size filter can be used in any standard size machine. The same applies to all junior sized units, all junior sized filters are interchangeable with all junior machines.
If you purchased your unit prior to 1996, you must use our Allergy Machine replacement filter or contact our customer service team for more information on the right filter for your machine.
Q. Should I turn my unit off when I am not home?
No, your Austin Air Purifier is designed to run 24/7. This ensures optimal filter performance and guarantees the air is clean and free from pollutants.
Q. How long do you think my unit will last?
If properly maintained, there is no reason why your unit will not last for many years, far longer than the 5-year warranty period.
*Covid-19 is a new strain of virus that as yet, remains untested. However, the Medical Grade HEPA technology used in our filters is proven to remove up to 99% of all airborne contaminants as small as 0.1 microns.
