GC MultiGas NE

To get rid of VOCs you need a lot of absorbent substrate, 10 pounds or more. IQAir GC multigas works, other vendors include airpura, allerair, austin.

For VOC removal the generally recommended manufacturers are Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir all of which have filters with 10 or more pounds of carbon. The AirDoctor 1000 has a relatively small Carbon filter which would have to be replaced more frequently than the others. This is reflected in the cost of the replacement filters which run \~$72 where replacements for the others run in the 100's. Doubt that it is as effective due to its small size. I use Austin and IQAir GC Multigas units. Just replaced the Austin filters with Immunity machine filters and saw significant improvement, but at the cost of \~$700 per filter. They are supposed to last 5 years. If you have to replace before that they reduce the cost. Consumer Reports (subscription required) has extensive discussions about air filters and reviews for filters without Carbon.

I use Austin Immunity Machines and IQAIR GC Multigas.

Manufacturers often mentioned are Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir. Try to get one with a return policy, such as the 30 days offered by IQAir. There can be some interactions with the carbon which might produce some odd smells. If you are particularly sensitive it is also possible it might not work for you, particularly if you are outside the bubble of clean air around the machine. I own several GC MultiGas units. It was the only VOC model available when I bought it almost 20 years ago. Looking at the IQAir website I see there are quite a few of them now. I would contact them to find out which model would best meet your needs. Let us know how it goes!

1. Whirlpool AP450, Honeywell HA300BHD, IQAir GC Multigas, Austin Healthmate and Immunity machines. Have had some of these running without problems for 10-20 years so models have likely changed. Range in price from \~$224 to \~$!400. 2. Generic filters - in general not a great idea. Filters are sized to fit the casing and the fan is matched to the filter. Might be done but a bit risky. 3. Although I haven't needed to purchase machines recently my suspicion is that the "smarter" and more automated the machine is (auto speed, remote, etc.) the less likely they will be controllable by a smart power switch. 4. For printer and VOC removal the best machines run $1K or more. Filters can run as much as $700 (Austin Immunity Machine), but can last for 5 years.

1. Yes, I have them all on Satechi Smart Plugs. 2. I did check Amazon for 3rd party HA300BHD filters and they do exist. 3rd party Filters will more likely be available for models that have been out there a long time as there will be more units sold making it profitable for 3rd parties. This one, or similar ones from them, has been out for > 10 years. No way to tell about their quality or effectiveness. Since I am extremely sensitive I personally don't want to take the risk. Given their specialized nature don't see any for Austin or IQAir. 3. You need to choose a company that has been doing this for a long time and is successful.

I have Austins and IQAir MuliGas. The Austins were recommended by a clinic which treats individuals with extreme chemical sensitivities. You want a unit where the fan feeds the filters (1st in the chain) to avoid contamination from the fan itself. No filter is going to eliminate all VOCs.

I have a couple of models: Immunity Machine, Healthmate Plus, bedroom machine. There have been some reviews stating that Austins are slower at clearing a room of particulates. My main concern is VOCs and since I run 3-4 filters in each room that isn't a concern for me. Am now testing the immunity machine. Seems to do a much better job with VOCs, although final results will take a while. What is your concern with IQAair?

I use Austin Immunity machine and iQair GC Multigas units as VOCs are a major concern for me. Not rated.

I run 3 filters, Austin and IQAIR, in each of 2 spaces - one 300 square feet the other 600 square feet. If the air is poor outside my Purple Air sensors will still show green. However there are so many chemicals in wildfire smoke, particularly if structures have burned, that they don't get everything. I am sensitive to terpenes and right now they don't help with the Camphor tree flowers. So they can greatly improve air quality but don't expect all VOCs to be removed from the air.

For best VOC removal, such as mycotoxins, you need a lot of absorbent media. Checkout Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir. All are in the $1k range. I'm unsure whether any filter will eliminate mold sensitivities. Did see an improvement when upgraded my Austins with Immunity Machine filters but molds still aren't totally controlled. There are clinics which can treat mycotoxin sensitivities. Can be quite expensive.

Running both IQAir and Austin Immunity Machines in my major rooms particulates run from 0 to under 10.

I have had my Austin, IQAir, Honeywell and Whirlpool machines for as much as \~20 years and have had no problems with filter replacements.

The 4 vendors with the best VOC filters are Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir. Absorbent media composition and weight vary by manufacturer. IQAir has models that go up to 32 pounds of media, at least according to google search. Note that no VOC filter will remove all VOCs. They do well with some chemicals, partially control some, and totally ignore others. I use IQAirs and Austin Immunity Machines, multiple units per room unless you want to put up with the noise running the fans on high speed. Had a room repainted and requested a low VOC paint. Was pleasantly surprised that I had no problems with the paint even though I am extremely chemically sensitive. It is possible that the renovations don't cause a VOC problem at all, or maybe just for a few days.

My Austin, IQAir, Honeywell and Whirlpool filters all work with smart plugs. When you purchase make sure you can return if it doesn't work as features change over time.

Those units have very small carbon filters. They either will be ineffective or won't last that long. A good VOC filter has 10 or more pounds of absorbent media and run in the $1K range. Checkout Airpura, Allerair, Austin, IQAir. Just be aware that the VOCs will only be reduced in the bubble of clear air around the filter. If you have a very large room multiple filters may be required.

Austins are in the same price range as all of the good VOC filters with 10 or more pounds of activated absorbent media. All are in the $1K range. Filters with less media, such as a Winix, will either be less effective or require more frequent filter changes. Being chemically sensitive I use multiple Austin and IQAir units.

As an air quality professional I have tried and tested numerous units. The IQAir Multigas GC is by far the most effective unit and is the preferred one for people with chemical sensitivities. Unfortunately the company has dismal customer service, follows deceptive practices and denies problems when they arise. If I can ever find an air purifier as effective as this one I will definitely guide my clients towards that brand and model. Unfortunately I have sold hundreds of Multigas GC units because they work so well. I don't feel that Airpura, Allerair, Austin Air etc are in the same league from the standpoint of results but Austin Air machines are very good and that company is a US company, the machines are made in the US and it has excellent customer service so I recommend that brand a lot for general air quality.

I would overall aim to address the mold problem and deprioritize VOCs unless they’re actively a problem. So that would mean maximizing the amount of hepa filtration within your budget. Ideally a purifier for each bedroom and either a larger unit if the living room / kitchen is an open concept or just do two in that large space. For carbon filters, IQAir is very impactful if you have the budget for the GC Multigas. There are other recommendations like Austin Air. A lot of people don’t feel like the carbon filter has a significant impact, but I know a few chronically ill folks who say it makes a meaningful difference.

IQ Air, though they are expensive. we have 3 of GC multigas. gold standard.

Something like the Cleanairkits if you can get furnace filters where you live or you can consider the airfanta 3 pro. I don’t think CleanAirKits ships to India though but you could make your own since it’s pretty DIY. They both are low cost and offer excellent cadr without being loud. Hepa filters are super loud at their high setting which you need to get the high cadr values. If they are on their low setting, they don’t really do much. If you want, the iqair gc multigas would be the most expensive, nicest air purifier that will offer elite performance. The unit costs a ton though but you get what you pay for. Since it’s a big unit, you could run it on a lower setting so it won’t be so loud and you would still get good performance. The 12 lbs of carbon in it will scrub out harmful gases you might encounter where you live. Their CEO breathed out of the air purifier in a sealed box with a tear gas grenades going off as a marketing stunt haha.

Hey, you and I are in the same boat. I had a baby boy at 31 weeks, now almost 5 month adjusted, and I went down the air quality rabbit hole hard. I want to do whatever I can to keep him healthy and developing normally. He sleeps with us in our room right now. I have a clean air kits luggable xl pc fan cr box and a IQair Health Pro Plus running on setting 2. Both run 24/7. This gives me a lot of air changes per hour and some gas filtration, while staying below 50 decibels. In the rest of the house, I have more luggable xls, smart air blast, iqair gc and GCX, Coway 400 and 300, and an Alen 25i. I think it’s important to get a standalone air quality monitor like the air gradient one or purple air zen. I run the hvac blower fan 24/7 to circulate air through the house. I also open windows every morning and bring in fresh air to keep CO2 low. I don’t know what your budget is, but you can make your own cr boxes for really cheap and then throw a few nice hepa air purifiers on top. I bought all the expensive units used (iqair, Coway, smart air) and saved a ton of money. Just gave them a good cleaning and new filters. Another important thing is to always run your kitchen hood vent when cooking I’ve been keeping my house between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit so that he sleeps his best and relative humidity between 45-55%. I have a Midea Cube dehumidifier I run when it’s really humid out and humidity in the house gets above 60%. I also vaccum and mop the floors all the time now. We have an old dog that sheds a lot and the floors get covered in hair if I don’t stay on top of it. I kindof rambled but that’s just been what I have been doing and what purifiers I bought to give you some ideas and things to look into.

I just got an Alen Air 25i for my little office and it’s been a really great unit for the last few weeks. Alen sells bundle “whole house” solutions that might work for you. For me, I put a smart air blast in my living room, a iqair GCX in my kitchen, iqair gc in my dining room/front foyer, Alen 25i in the office, Coway Air Mega 300 and 400s in our spare bedrooms, an iq air health pro plus in the master bedroom, and 4 clean air luggable cr boxes spread out throughout the house. Do I have an addiction to buying air purifiers? Yes. Very weird addiction. But all were bought off Facebook marketplace and were pennies on the dollar compared to new. Just had to give them a good wipe down and put in a new filter.

Iqair is a great option. Have one in our bedroom with our 5 month old baby. But can only run it on setting 2 (75 cfm) without going above 50 db. We also have a luggable xl cr box in the bedroom to get more filtration without increasing the sound in the room. We have a Smart Air Blast in the living room and it’s a a quiet beast. Pushes a ton of air, however it’s power hungry. I’m also a fan of the Alens for how they sound and Coway AirMegas.