Oct
With the launch of the AirFanta 5Pro, a new type of filter from AirFanta, called the Formaldehyde Killer + High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filter (Formaldehyde Killer filter), will be available in Singapore for the first time.
Here are three important things we would like to share with you about this filter.
1. What does the Formaldehyde Killer filter do?
The Formaldehyde Killer filter contains a special layer of coating that is highly effective at breaking down formaldehyde, a cancer-causing chemical gas, into carbon dioxide and water.
Thanks to this special coating, Formaldehyde Killer filters are much more effective at capturing formaldehyde than other types of filters.
According to internal tests conducted by AirFanta’s filter supplier, the AirFanta 5Pro’s Formaldehyde Killer + High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filter is able to capture up to 20 times more formaldehyde than the High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filter.
To put it in raw numbers, the Formaldehyde Killer + High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filter has a Formaldehyde Clean Air Delivery Rate (FCADR) of 505 m³/h at top speed, setting a high standard in the air purifier industry.
For comparison, air purifiers from other major brands have a FCADR that is 2 to 10 times lower than AirFanta’s Formaldehyde Killer filter, and are sold at a much higher price (please check the Formaldehyde Killer section on the AirFanta Room Air Purifiers page for a detailed comparison).
2. Who is the Formaldehyde Killer filter for?
In the last several years, Singaporeans have become more concerned and aware of the dangers of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde could be emitted from a variety of sources, such as house paint and furniture. Long term exposure to high formaldehyde emissions could lead to health problems, such as cancer.
The Formaldehyde Killer filter is recommended to be used especially after a major renovation is performed in a customer’s home or business. However, this filter could also be used as a way to protect your home or business from formaldehyde emissions constantly on a regular basis even if no renovation work was carried out recently, as formaldehyde could enter your home through emissions from new furniture and other sources.
3. Who shouldn’t use the Formaldehyde Killer filter?
The Formaldehyde Killer filter produces a “new car smell” (also described by some people as a “sweet chemical smell”) when formaldehyde comes into contact with its special coating.
This smell is most noticeable when the filter is used for the first time or when the AirFanta room air purifier is running at high speed settings. Over time, the smell goes away, and only becomes slightly noticeable when you put your head directly over the air outlet of an AirFanta room air purifier. This smell could also be more noticeable in indoor spaces with high humidity.
While this “new car smell” does not pose any harm or danger to people and animals, we strongly encourage people that are sensitive to such smells or smells in general to consider purchasing the High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filter instead.
4. How should the Formaldehyde Killer filter be used after renovations?
AirFanta provides the following advice to control formaldehyde levels in your home or business:
- Before renovations conclude, purchase a high-accuracy air quality monitor that can measure HCHO (formaldehyde), such as the AirFanta G3 (coming soon).
- Immediately after renovations, you should start ventilating the indoor space via natural ventilation all the time (when weather conditions allow), and keep track of the formaldehyde levels with your air quality monitor.
- A few weeks to one month after renovations, install one AirFanta 5Pro unit per room or in every 20 to 25 m² of space, and run it constantly 24/7 at 50% to 60% speed to keep formaldehyde emissions at a baseline level. Continue natural ventilation when weather conditions allow, and measure the formaldehyde levels with your air quality monitor.
- Continue to measure the formaldehyde levels with your air quality monitor on a regular basis. If there is an increase in formaldehyde levels over the baseline after the AirFanta 5Pro units were installed, this means that the filters have reached their limit and should be replaced to continue filtering formaldehyde.
- Six months to one year after renovations, you can consider switching to the High Efficiency or High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filters, or continue using the Formaldehyde Killer + High Efficiency + Activated Carbon filters for the best protection against formaldehyde.
Conclusion
AirFanta’s Formaldehyde Killer filter is a great way of controlling formaldehyde emissions in the air in your home or business. However, keep in mind the precautions for using it, especially if you or other occupants are sensitive to smells.
The Formaldehyde Killer filter is available with select AirFanta room air purifiers in Singapore. At the time of writing, the filter is purchasable with the AirFanta 5Pro, as part of a set with the air purifier itself, or separately as a filter replacement set.
For more information about these products, please check the dokuki.com shop.
