Review of Hunter Air Purifier Models
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Model: QuietFlo 785/30785  - Fair Rating
Up to 306 sqft (6 AC/hr) MSRP $199 Conclusion: Relatively quiet, but below average for cleaning. Detailed Review Below 
Model: HEPAtech 378/30378 Hunter Air Purifier - Fair Rating
Up to 400 sqft (6 AC/hr) MSRP $229 Conclusion: Reasonable for particle removal; below average for odors and gases. Detailed Review Below Click here to share a mini-review of your Hunter with visitors to this page!
Hunter Air Purifier - see Permalife 30547 review; these models similar.
Hunter Air Purifier - see QuietFlo 30785 review; these models similar.
Hunter Air Purifier - See HEPAtech 30378 review; these models similar.
There are more Hunter Air Purifier units available, with older models being discontinued and new model coming along, but you get the idea ... highly marketed in big box, home improvement type stores.
Model: Permalife 547/30547 Hunter Air Purifier Last Reviewed: 01-29-08 Rating Score: 56/100 points Summary: A typical cleanable HEPA filter in this price range which will get rid of most dust and pet dander. Beyond particle removal the cleaning effectiveness is marginal. The purifier is easy to use and has a good 5-year warranty. The maintenance and electricity costs are moderate for this type of purifier. If you want an average cleanable HEPA filter, then this may do the job. There are better brands and better technologies. Note: if you do need heavy particle removal, a permanent filter may not last permanently. Basic Specifications: The 30547 is designed for spaces up to 483 sqft (6 air changes per hour). This purifier is mostly passive technology as the air must travel through the purifier to be cleaned. The 30547 uses a 3-step process. Initially the air passes through a relatively thin carbon pre filter trapping some odors/gases and larger particles, then through a HEPA-type 99.5% Effective to 0.5 Microns HEPA filter and finally a negative ionizer putting out negative only ions into the air (see technology section for explanation why this is questionable). The purifier has a 3-speed fan, a digital LCD readout, a remote control, a separate ionizer on/off switch, and a 5-year warranty. The carbon filter will need to be replaced every 2-3 months ($18.99 for two). The PermaLife filter is a cleanable, permanent HEPA-type filter. Expect some plastic outgassing smell. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 329 / Dust 330 / Pollen 330 Rating Factors: 1) Value: 12/24 points - The MSRP is $269. The square footage cleaned is 483 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($269 initial + $158.28/year)/483 sqft)/4 removal points)) = 77.88. 77.88 = 12 points - fair value. 2) What is Removed: 4/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Good Removal, 2-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases - Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of VOCs - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points. 3) Yearly Operating Costs: 6/15 points - The PermaLife HEPA-type filter is considered a lifetime filter. The Carbon pre filter #30901 needs replacing every 2-3 months $18.99 (2 pack) x 2 = $37.98. Calculating electricity usage: 155 watts/1000 X $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = $120.30/year. Total cost $158.28/year. Above Average to operate. 4) Quality: 7/12 points - Average quality for this price range. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Good Quality, 1-point. 5) Warranty: 8/8 points - This purifier has a 5-year limited warranty. Excellent Warranty. 6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 5/6 points - The carbon filter needs replacing every 2-3 months. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. The PermaLife HEPA-type filter is considered a lifetime filter and needs vacuuming periodically to maintain filter effectiveness. General dusting as needed. Expect 10-20 minutes every other month. Average Cleaning 2-points. 7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - For a big plastic box, this purifier looks good. The lines and look would fit many decors. Looks Good, 2-points. The buttons are on top and easy to locate and use. Feels Good, 2-points. 8) Years in Business: 4/5 points - Hunter started making ceiling fans in 1886. 9) Noise Level: 3/5 points - Low fan noise on low and louder on high. No dB data. Average Noise Level. 10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Easy Set-up. total = 56/100 points Conclusion: Average particle cleaning ability with a cleanable HEPA-Type filter. Return to Top
Model: QuietFlo 785/30785 Hunter Air Purifier Last Reviewed: 01-29-08 Rating Score: 52/100 points Summary: This Quiet HEPA filter will get rid of most dust and pet dander, but sacrifices some cleaning ability for noise reduction. Beyond particle removal the cleaning effectiveness is marginal. This purifier is easy to use and has a good 5-year warranty. The maintenance and electricity costs are moderate for this type of purifier. If you want a quieter, average HEPA filter, then this may do the job. Basic Specifications: The 30785 is designed for spaces up to 306 sqft (6 air changes per hour). This purifier is passive technology as the air must travel through the purifier to be cleaned. The 30785 uses a 2-step process. First, the air passes through a relatively thin carbon pre filter trapping some odors/gases and larger particles, and second through a 99.97% Effective to 0.3 Micron HEPA filter. The purifier has a 3-speed fan, a digital LCD filter change indicator, and a 5-year warranty. The carbon filter will need to be replaced every 2-3 months ($18.99 for two). The HEPA filter lasts 12 months ($56.99). Expect some plastic outgassing smell. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 200/ Dust 220/ Pollen 220 Rating Factors: 1) Value: 8/24 points - The MSRP is $199. The square footage cleaned is 306 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($199 initial + $172.58/year)/306 sqft)/4 removal points)) = 69.64. 69.64 = 8 points - poor value. 2) What is Removed: 4/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Good Removal, 2-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases - Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of VOCs - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points. 3) Yearly Operating Costs: 6/15 points - The HEPA filter #30943 needs replacing every year at $56.99. The Carbon pre filter #30901 needs replacing every 2-3 months $18.99 (2 pack) x 2 = $37.98. Calculating electricity usage: 100 watts/1000 X $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = $77.61/year. Total cost $172.58/year. Above Average to operate. 4) Quality: 7/12 points - Average quality for this price range. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Good Quality, 1-point. 5) Warranty: 8/8 points - This purifier has a 5-year limited warranty. Excellent Warranty. 6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 5/6 points - The carbon filters need changing every 2-3 months to remain effective. The HEPA filter should be changed once per year or sooner as needed. Both are relatively easy to change, with the carbon filter being a universal one size fits multiple models. Average Maintenance, 2-points. The exterior may need occasional wiping down as well. Expect 10-20 minutes every other month. Easy Cleaning 3-points. 7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - The two-tone tower is neither pleasing nor displeasing to the eyes. It will fit most decors. Looks Good, 2-points. The controls are on top and easy to use. Feels Good, 2-points. 8) Years in Business: 4/5 points - Hunter started making ceiling fans in 1886. 9) Noise Level: 3/5 points - The QuietFlow is quiet mainly because the fan is less powerful. Quiet on low and moderate noise on high. Average Noise Level. 10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Easy Set-up. total = 52/100 points Conclusion: Relatively quiet, but below average for cleaning. Model: HEPAtech 378/30378 Hunter Air Purifier Last Reviewed: 01-29-08 Rating Score: 55/100 points Summary: A typical HEPA filter for this price range which will get rid of most dust and pet dander. Beyond particle removal the cleaning effectiveness is marginal. The purifier is easy to use and has a good 5-year warranty. The maintenance and electricity costs tend towards the high end for this type of purifier. If you want an average HEPA filter, then this may do the job. Basic Specifications: The Hunter HEPAtech 30378 is designed for spaces up to 400 sqft (6 air changes per hour). This purifier is mostly passive technology as the air must travel through the purifier to be cleaned. The 30378 uses a 3-step process. Initially the air passes through a relatively thin carbon pre filter trapping some odors/gases and larger particles, then through a HEPAtech 99.97% Effective to 0.1 Microns HEPA filter and finally a negative ionizer putting out negative only ions into the air (see technology section for explanation why this is questionable). The purifier has a 3-speed fan, a digital LCD readout, a separate ionizer on/off switch, and a 5-year warranty. The carbon filter will need to be replaced every 2-3 months ($18.99 for two). The HEPAtech filter lasts 4-6 months ($39.99). Expect some plastic outgassing smell from this Hunter air purifier. Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating from The Association of Home Appliance Manufactures (AHAM) Smoke 260/ Dust 260/ Pollen 260 Rating Factors: 1) Value: 12/24 points - The MSRP is $229. The square footage cleaned is 400 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($229 initial + $285.60/year)/400 sqft)/5 removal points)) = 74.27. 74.27 = 12 points - fair value. 2) What is Removed: 5/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Very Good Removal, 3-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Odors and Gases - Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of VOCs - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points. 3) Yearly Operating Costs: 3/15 points - The HEPA filter #30931 needs replacing every 4-6 months at $39.99 x 2 = $79.98. The Carbon pre filter #30901 needs replacing every 2-3 months $18.99 (2 pack) x 2 = $37.98. Calculating electricity usage: 216 watts/1000 X $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = $167.64/year. Total cost $285.60/year. Expensive to operate. 4) Quality: 7/12 points - Average quality for this price range. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Good Quality, 1-point. 5) Warranty: 8/8 points - This purifier has a 5-year limited warranty. Excellent Warranty. 6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 6/6 points - Filter changing will need to be done every few months. The carbon filters need changing every 2-3 months to remain effective. The HEPA filter should be changed every 4-6 months or sooner as needed. Both are relatively easy to change, with the carbon filter being a universal one size fits multiple models. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. The cabinet may need occasional wiping down as well. Expect 15-30 minutes every other month. Easy Cleaning 3-points. 7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - A good-sized white plastic box. Looks Good, 2-points. The controls are easy to find and use on top. Feels Good, 2-points. 8) Years in Business: 4/5 points - Hunter started making ceiling fans in 1886. 9) Noise Level: 3/5 points - Below 45 dB on low and above 55 dB on high. Average Noise Level. 10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Easy Set-up. total = 55/100 points Conclusion: Reasonable for particle removal; below average for odors and gases. Return to Top Return to STEP3 Reviews A-H from Hunter Air Purifier Like to Add Your Own Mini-Review?Have you had a good or bad experience with a Hunter Air Purifier? Share it! Positive or Negative, the world needs to know the truth from you :-) Here are Other Visitors Mini-ReviewsClick below to view Mini-Reviews from other visitors to this page...
Hunter Model 30785
Model 30785
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