WILDFIRE FAQS

WHICH PURIFIERS DO I NEED FOR WILDFIRE SMOKE PROTECTION?

You need a purifier that is properly sized to the room where you plan to place it so it can clean the entire volume of the room. Next, you need a True HEPA filter with activated carbon, which acts like a sponge to absorb smoke. The filter’s HEPA material captures dangerous fine particulate matter that can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems while activated carbon absorbs harmful gasses and chemicals such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Thus, the highest air flow and the largest absorption capacity the better. 

Here are the Alen models ranked in order of capacity for smoke absorption (most to least activated carbon)
 

1. BreatheSmart 75i with B7 Fresh filter
2. BreatheSmart FIT50 with FF50 Silver-Carbon (VOC filter)
3. BreatheSmart Classic with Fresh Plus BF35 Silver Filter
4. BreatheSmart 45i or FLEX with B4 Fresh HEPA/FL40-Silver Carbon Filter

Shop all of Alen’s Wildfire Purifiers and Filters HERE.

Note: Each unit comes with your choice of filter installed. If you are experiencing heavy smoke, we suggest purchasing a spare filter because the amount of absorption you may need depends on how much smoke needs to be absorbed. Every situation is unique, so it is difficult to know when the carbon will be fully saturated.

WHAT’S THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR PURIFIERS?

First, air purifiers work on a room by room by basis. They are sized for the volume of air to clean in each room.

Second, many Alen purifiers feature a precision air quality sensor called a Smart Sensor. Though our air purifiers are designed to run 24/7 for a lifetime, some customers want to know their real-time air quality. Our Smart Sensors change a color indicator to show the particle level in a room. Blue is pure while Red or Purple (depending on the unit) is harmful. The Smart Sensor can automatically adjust the unit’s fan speed in Auto mode to optimize air quality. Units with a Smart Sensor include:

•         · BreatheSmart 45i
•         · BreatheSmart Classic
•         · BreatheSmart FIT50
•         · BreatheSmart 75i

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED GIVEN THE URGENT NATURE OF THE WILDFIRE SITUATION?

We care deeply about our customers. The best way to contact us is through email, online chat, or by phone at 400-091-6686. We are committed to helping every customer during this critical time. 

We understand that many of you are making an important and urgent decision about protecting your families. We also understand that there are many air purifier companies making a range of performance claims.

Alen has been in business for 15 years because we provide customers with highly effective products that offer true peace of mind. To back up our commitment to customers, we offer a lifetime warranty on all of our products.
 

I’M TRYING TO PLACE MY ORDER ON ALEN.COM BUT I CAN’T PUT MY UNIT IN THE SHOPPING CART?

There are a number of technical reasons that may cause this issue. Please try the following if you experience this situation:

•         · Use another browser
•         · Clear your browser history and refresh the page, then try again
•         · Remove the Autoship option if you have selected it for your order, then try again

TIPS TO PROTECT INDOOR AIR FROM WILDFIRE SMOKE

Millions face hazardous air quality from wildfire smoke, including people hundreds of miles from fires. Public health officials recommend staying inside with doors and windows closed. To keep your indoor safe and healthy, follow the tips below.

GET A TRUE HEPA AIR PURIFIER

HEPA filtration is the world’s most trusted way to remove harmful particles from the air. It’s why both the CDC and the EPA recommend using HEPA purification to protect against smoke’s worst effects. A purifier will effectively remove smoke particles and help improve your wellness all year.

When choosing an air purifier, be sure it’s the right size for your room. Select a purifier with a max coverage area slightly larger than your room, as this figure is based on the unit’s highest fan speed. This way, your purifier can do its job effectively on a lower, quieter speed 24/7.

Avoid unproven and unsafe technology: electrostatic, PECO (photo-electrochemical oxidation), and ionic (ionizer-based) air purifiers are ineffective at removing particles. Ozone-generating purifiers are both ineffective and pose serious health risks

Upgrade your HVAC filter to a higher MERV rating

For home HVAC filters, MERV rating stands for the minimum efficiency reporting value and measures its filtration ability. An average filter has a MERV rating around 8. According to the US Department of Energy, filters with a MERV rating up to 13 can provide additional wildfire smoke protection and still be compatible with most systems.

TIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME

The main idea here is to keep out harmful smoke particles while ensuring you can quickly evacuate if needed.

       1. Shut off mechanical ventilation like bathroom or kitchen fans that vent to the outdoors. They create negative pressure and pull air in from outside.

       2. If your HVAC system or window air conditioner has a fresh air option, turn it off or close the intake.

       3. And if you have cracks or openings around doors or windows and your area has unhealthy or hazardous air quality, consider sealing openings to prevent

           smoke infiltration.

•        · Use painters tape around exterior doors and windows that do not seal.
•        · Close your chimney flue and seal chimney openings with painters tape and plastic.
•        · Use wet cloths or towels to cover exterior vents (kitchen, bathroom, chimney)
•  

CREATE A CLEAN ROOM, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR HOME DOES NOT HAVE CENTRAL AC

According to the EPA, a clean room can help reduce your exposure to dangerous or unhealthy wildfire smoke while indoors. Here is how the EPA’s recommends creating a clean room:

•        · Choose a room. It should be big enough to fit everyone in your household and comfortable to spend time in. A bedroom with an attached bathroom is a good 
•           choice.
•        · Prevent smoke from entering the room. Close windows and doors in the room, but don’t do anything that makes it hard to get out. If there is an exhaust fan or
•           range hood in the clean room space, only use it for short periods.
•        · Stay cool. Run fans, window air conditioners, or central air conditioning. If your HVAC system or window air conditioner has a fresh air option, turn it off or close the
•           intake.
•        · Filter the air in the room. Use a portable (HEPA) air cleaner that is the right size for the room. Run the portable air cleaner continuously on the highest fan setting if
•           you can.
•  

See the  Indoor Air Filtration fact sheet and  EPA’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home for more information.

•        · Avoid activities that create smoke or other particles indoors, including:
  •                     · Smoking cigarettes, pipes, and cigars.
  •                     · Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.
  •                     · Spraying aerosol products.
  •                     · Frying or broiling food.
  •                     · Burning candles or incense.
  •                     · Vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
•        · Dust or mop surfaces in the clean room with a damp cloth as needed to keep settled particles from getting back into the air.
•        · Spend as much time as possible in the clean room to get the most benefit from it. Avoid exercising while in the clean room to help reduce exposure to any particles
•           that may enter the room.

IF YOU CAN’T GET A HEPA PURIFIER, MAKE A DIY PURIFIER

If you are experiencing poor air quality and don’t have a purifier or are waiting on yours to arrive, a homemade purifier can help. The New York Times made one by securely taping a standard 20x20 HVAC filter to a 20-inch box fan and. They reported that it cut particulate load by 87%. That’s not nearly as good as the 99.99% possible with True HEPA filtration, but any additional filtration is better than none in adverse conditions.