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Review of Secure Air Purifier Models
Reviews are only as good as the underlying rating criteria used: After you are done reviewing, STEP5 Buying lists the best places to Secure Air Purifier Summaries
Model: Secure Air 3500  - Fair Rating
Up to 400 sqft MSRP $249.95 Conclusion: Focused on cleaning microorganisms; below average cleaning on other pollutants. Detailed Review Below
Model: Secure Air 1200 Secure Air Purifier Last Reviewed: 01-22-08 Rating Score: 53/100 points Summary: At first glance this purifier seems innovative. I like the compact footprint and the look is futuristic. The technology is limited to removing microorganisms. This is ok if you want to remove only microorganisms, but is hardly comprehensive. I wanted to look at the inside of this purifier, but it was sealed. It is the first throw away room purifier I have encountered. The thought process is that it last 3-5 years, so why not throw it out when the UV bulb burns out? I'm not thrilled about that and what happens if the bulb burns out right after the 1-year warranty. Basic Specifications: The Secure Air 1200 is designed for spaces up to 144 sqft. This purifier is "passive technology" as the air must travel through the purifier to be cleaned. There is a version of a media charged filter, but it is so small and the fan draws so little air, that it is fairly ineffective. They claim the small fan still cleans the air as it allows the microorganisms time to be killed by the UV-C lamp as they pass by the lamp inside the purifier slowly. No replaceable parts, just throw it out when the UV lamp blows. The fan is one speed. A 1-year warranty is standard. Pictures: 
Rating Factors: 1) Value: 12/24 points - The MSRP is $79.99. The estimated square footage cleaned is 144 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($79.99 initial + $19.40/year)/144 sqft)/1 removal points)) = 70.84. 70.84 = 12 points - fair value. 2) What is Removed: 1/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points. Removal of Odors and Gases - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of VOCs - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points. 3) Yearly Operating Costs: 15/15 points - The 1200 has no replaceable parts, in fact you cannot get into the purifier without "breaking it". It is a "throw-away" model. Calculating electricity usage: 25 watts/1000 X $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = $19.40/year. Total cost $19.40/year. Very Inexpensive to operate. 4) Quality: 5/12 points - The quality is typical for China manufacturing. The materials are a step up from general plastic, but the technology is fairly wimpy. The UV life claim of 5 years is suspect as most UV-C bulbs blow at 1-3 years and/or start degrading during that time frame. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Good Quality, 3-points. Cleaning Technologies - Fair Quality, 2-points. Support Material - Poor Quality, 0-points. 5) Warranty: 2/8 points - A 1-year warranty is standard. Fair Warranty. 6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 5/6 points - There is no routine maintenance for this unit. Easy Maintenance, 3-points. This purifier has a very thin, small pre filter listed in the manual as a superior form of electrostatic filter. There is little air flow here, so they recommend a cleaning every 6 months or as needed. Rinse and dry and slide it back in the purifier. Expect 15 minutes cleaning every 6 months. The filter is small and a little difficult to remove. Average Cleaning 2-points. 7) Look and Feel: 4/6 points - This purifier has a small footprint and has a fairly unique look. I would describe it as a futuristic look. Looks Good, 2-points. One switch located in the back. Feels Good, 2-points. 8) Years in Business: 2/5 points - In business for over 3 years at time of review. They are located in Willoughby, OH. Newcomer. 9) Noise Level: 4/5 points - The fan is one speed and fairly quiet (Estimate less than 40dB). Quiet Noise Level. 10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Easy Set-up. total = 53/100 points Conclusion: Conclusion: Some microorganism protection; limited overall cleaning scope. Return to Top
Model: Secure Air 3500 Secure Air Purifier Last Reviewed: 01-22-08 Rating Score: 51/100 points Summary: This purifier is a little too futuristic looking in my opinion. Looking past skin deep and it appears to have a host of technologies working to clean the air. Listed as a whole house air purifier, the main cleaning focus is microorganisms with the small particle cleaning and odor control filters offering token cleaning ability at best. This is not your best choice for a whole home purifier. Basic Specifications: The Secure Air 3500 is designed for spaces up to 400 sqft. This purifier is "passive technology" as the air must travel through the purifier to be cleaned. There is a version of a media charged pre filter, but it is small and fairly ineffective. The UV-C lamp kills and disables certain microorganisms as they pass by the lamp inside the purifier. The carbon filter is also very small and fairly ineffective. The scent cartridges are counterproductive and really a sign of trouble and confusion with this brand. How can you clean the air and then cover it up with chemicals? There are several replaceable parts including the carbon filter, UV-C lamp and scent cartridges if desired. Count on a yearly cost of just over $50 for consumables. The fan is three speeds. There is a programable timer with several setting options. A 1-year warranty is standard. Rating Factors: 1) Value: 12/24 points - The MSRP is $249.95. The estimated square footage cleaned is 400 sqft. The Value equation is as follows: 100 * (1 - ((($249.95 initial + $99.90/year)/400 sqft)/3 removal points)) = 70.85. 70.85 = 12 points - fair value. 2) What is Removed: 3/16 points - Removal of Larger Particles >0.3 microns - Fair Removal, 1-point. Removal of Smaller Particles <0.3 microns - Poor Removal, 0-points. Removal of Odors and Gases - Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of VOCs - Poor Removal, 0-points, Removal of Basic Microorganisms - Fair Removal, 1-point, Removal of Advanced Microorganisms - Poor Removal, 0-points. 3) Yearly Operating Costs: 12/15 points - The charged media filter is reusable. The carbon filters may last 2-3 months at a cost of 6 X $7.50 = $45/year. I don't recommend the scent cartridges, but they cost $24.95 for 6. The yearly cost of a 22-watt UV-C Emitter bulb is (24.95/3) = $8.33. Calculating electricity usage: 60 watts/1000 X $.0886/kwh x 24 hours/day X 365 days/year = $46.57/year. Total cost $99.90/year. Inexpesive to operate. 4) Quality: 7/12 points - The quality is typical for China manufacturing. The materials are a step up from general plastic with some stainless steel, but the most of the technology is still fairly wimpy. The UV life claim of 5 years is suspect as most UV-C bulbs blow at 1-3 years and/or start degrading during that time frame. Fit, Finish, and Workmanship - Very Good Quality, 4-points. Cleaning Technologies - Good Quality, 3-points. Support Material - Poor Quality, 0-points. 5) Warranty: 2/8 points - A 1-year warranty is standard. Fair Warranty. 6) Maintenance and Cleaning: 4/6 points - The second chamber holds either a replaceable carbon filter or one of three scent filter cartridges. These can be checked monthly and replaced as needed. A 10 minute or less job. Read the manual when removing the UV lamp as it requires some care. Replace every 1-5 years. Lamp replacement may take 15 minutes or more. 20 minutes a month maintenance including digging out the manual as needed. Average Maintenance, 2-points. The media charged pre filter needs checking every month or as needed. 10 minutes to rinse and then let air dry. Average Cleaning 2-points. 7) Look and Feel: 3/6 points - Where the 1200 looks futuristic, the 3500 crosses the line a little and looks a bit too futuristic. I'm trying to see how it would fit into any given room. Questionable Looks, 1-point. The "feel" is ok with decent controls and materials. Feels Good, 2-points. 8) Years in Business: 2/5 points - In business for over 3 years at time of review. They are located in Willoughby, OH. Newcomer. 9) Noise Level: 3/5 points - TThere are three fan speeds. Low, medium, and turbo. Noise level is average. Average Noise Level. 10) Set-Up: 3/3 points - Easy Set-up. total = 51/100 points Conclusion: Focused on cleaning microorganisms; below average cleaning on other pollutants. Return to
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