Each Aller Air Unit has at least 3, sometimes 4 actively functioning components that assist in air filtration.
Every layer symbiotically works to provide the cleanest air possible. In order to keep your unit properly functioning it is required that the filters be changed periodically.
The average filter life and ease of changing them is specific to your environment and the filter type. Let's take a moment to discuss each one.
The pre-filter, which is the easiest to change, is recommended to be changed every 2-4 months. Therefore, if you have a busy household with pets, perhaps you should change it every 2-3 months. Someone who has no pets may be able to last 4 months without changing it. This filter is also the most simple to change and requires very little effort.
The Activated Carbon filter is a component that you won't have to maintain as often as the pre-filter. These filters, depending on its' thickness, which ranges from 2.5 inches to 5 inches in width, can be changed anywhere from 3-5 years. As a rule of thumb, since there is more effort involved in replacing this filter, it is suggested that if you change your carbon, you should change the HEPA filter at the same time.
The HEPA filter is the last filter that your air goes through, if your unit doesn't contain the optional UV light, and is responsible for capturing extremely fine particulates such as allergens, fine dust, and mold spores. It is important to keep this filter as up to date as possible because of these reasons. It is suggested to be changed every 2-3 years.
The UV light, if installed in your particular unit, is the last line of defense against airborne germs, viruses, bacteria, and molds. This is a component that also takes a little more effort to get to but it only needs changed once a year.
This Video is applicable to the following unit types:
The majority of units tend to use one of two types of media, unless you have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) and require a custom blend that has been determined by the AllerAir Test Kit. AllerAir offers over 40 different Carbon Blends. Typically, and for general air filtration the units can be refilled with either 4x8 AW Coconut Granular Charcoal or with 4mm Coal Based Pellets
4x8 AW Coconut Granular Charcoal or 4x8AW-GAC is Charcoal House's preferred media for air filtration. Being coconut based it has the ability to adsorb a tremendous number of odors, vapors, gases, and toxins. Furthermore, the AW stands for Acid Washed. I know... it sounds scary, but its actually really great.
After activation the media is washed with a food grade phosphoric acid (found in sodas) to remove any ash content and then washed with water again. This process makes a cleaner, less messy media that is extra pure and now has more space to trap those harmful pollutants.
The cylindrical carbon canister is the secondary filter ring inside the unit. Once you take the bottom of the unit off and remove the felt pad the Carbon filter will be what you pull out next.
Simply take out the 4 screws and pull off the metal lid to the canister to reveal the media inside the unit and dispose of it. You can use a trash bag inside a bucket to dispose of the material or simply toss it in a garden or compost pile to aid in nutrient cycling and soil drainage.
Concerned about the charcoal releasing the toxins back into the soil/environment? Don't be. Once charcoal has adsorbed a toxin or poison it will not let it go unless forced to chemically or by extreme temperatures of 550+ (plus) degrees Celsius. This puts to rest the myth that you can reactivate charcoal by placing it in the sun. But that's for another blog.
Citations: All information regarding the AllerAir unit, components, and filter specifications came directly from the manufactures site listed below. Please visit their site for more specific information.
