Ionic Air Purifier Buyers Guide

Durability Of The Unit - How Long Will It Last?

Stainless Steel - Allows an air ionizer to last the life of the unit, instead of only a matter of months.

The highest performing air ionizers use "needlepoint" ionization, and stainless steel is by far the most durable
type of needlepoint available. Most air ionizers use other, less durable needlepoints, which will stop producing
significant negative ion levels after only a matter of months. Stainless steel needlepoints will last the life of the
air ionizer.

Corrosion-Resistant - Stainless steel lasts much longer since it is resistant to corrosion, allowing an air ionizer
to maintain a high ion-output over the life of the unit. Corrosion causes other types of air ionizers (that do not use
stainless steel needlepoints) to quickly degrade.

Stainless Steel Dust Collection Plates - If an air ionizer has a metal dust collection plate, then it should be made
from stainless steel as well, for the same reason ... to help avoid corrosion of the plate. The Surround Air
XJ-2000 air ionizer uses a stainless steel dust collection plate.

COLLECTION METHOD SHOULD BE THE FIRST PRIORITY

Without a collection method, ionized particles removed from the air will settle to the ground, other surfaces, or
attach to nearby walls. An air filter or metal dust collection plate will capture some, removing them from the
environment.

A filter or metal dust collection plate method, will help to prevent "black wall effect". This occurs when the high
density of ionized particles within a few feet of the unit attach to nearby walls, resulting in black residue which is
quite difficult to remove. Any high-output air ionizer without a collection method will create a black wall effect.

Air Filter vs. Metal Dust Collection Plate

Terms Used In Chart (above)

Needlepoint Ionization - High-voltage current is applied to metal "pins" to emit very high concentration of negative
ions into the air.
Ionizing Wires - Found in a very well-known, tall-standing ionic air purifier. An electrical discharge is sent through
the wire to generate negative ions.
Corona Discharge - High-voltage discharge is created by this design to produce a high level of ozone. Negative
ions are produced only as a byproduct, so the production is low, and is accompanied by substantial amounts of
ozone.
UV Light - Produces germicidal ultraviolet light wavelengths, and can be configured to also produce ozone. If
ozone is created, negative ions are produced as a byproduct, but only in low levels.

Ionic Air Purifier w/Fan

Ionic Air Purifier w/out Fan

Negative Ion
Concentration

High throughout entire room

High nearby unit, but not throughout entire room

Particle Collection

Excellent

Fair

Noise

Low to Noisy
Listen to an XJ-3000C

Silent

Surround Air
Models

Multi-Tech XJ-3000C
* Powerful, yet quiet fan
(even on high setting)
* 3 speed settings
* Draws air through
Hepa/activated carbon filter
cartridge

XJ-2000
* Silent, fan-less air ionizer
* Generates low air flow electronically to emit negative
ions into the air
* Ions move in air by way of air currents and reactivity with
other elements of the air

Collection Method Type

Air Filter

Collection Method Type Metal Dust
Collection Plate

Amount of particles removed

High volume, especially if a fan is
used

Moderate to Low Volume

Particle collection efficiency Fair

Excellent, especially if a Hepa air
filter is used, which have the
highest efficiency for a filter

FAIR

Black Wall Effect Prevention

Yes

Cleaning/Replacing

Periodic replacement required

Easy to clean (just wipe off)

Surround Air ionizer models

Multi-Tech XJ-3000C Hepa / Ionic
Air Purifier
* High-Output Air Ionizer
* Hepa/Activated Carbon Air
Filter
* Germicidal UV Lamp
* Powerful/Quiet Fan
* Inexpensive Filter
Replacement (filter lasts 1-2
years)

XJ-2000 Air Ionizer
* High-Output Air Ionizer
* Metal, Electrostatically-
Charged Dust Collection Plate
* Silent with No Replacement
Parts
* Stainless Steel Components

Ozone does help to purify the air, but can also create a smell that is too strong and unpleasant for some. In
which case, it is beneficial if the ozone can be turned off. Since ozone is a natural by-product of negative ion
production, most ionic air purifiers can't shut off their ozone generation without shutting off the entire unit.
An air ionizer producing ozone only as a byproduct will create only minimal levels. In which case, if the air
purifier also features a strong fan and an activated carbon filter, there will be virtually no ozone released into the
air. The activated carbon filter captures and absorbs ozone, while the fan channels the ozone produced into the
carbon filter. The Surround Air XJ-3000C is one of the very few ionic air purifiers with an activated carbon filter
and a strong fan, making it one of the very few that can virtually eliminate ozone in the air altogether.

Can the ozone level be adjusted?

In addition to being able to be turned off, it is also beneficial if the ozone output can be adjusted from a very low
level to a high level to address different circumstances. For instance, higher levels of ozone are able to
eliminate strong odors. A low level of ozone is useful in cases where its air purification properties are wanted,
and where it is not bothersome to anyone in the room.

This level of adjustability only possible in ionic air purifiers that have an actual, built-in ozone generator, as
opposed to air ionizers that produce ozone only as a byproduct of the negative ion production.

Avoid Black Wall Effect

The inclusion of an air filtration system or metal collection plate will enable an ionic air purifier to prevent black
wall effect, which is a hard-to-remove residue on walls and other surfaces. Black wall effect occurs when you
have a very high density of ionized particles (usually occurs only within a couple of feet of an air ionizer). This
results in a magnetizing effect that causes these particles to attract to the nearest surface, such as a nearby wall.

The air filtration system of the XJ-3000C ionic air purifier, which is aided by a fan that draws air through, will
prevent black wall effect. This is due to the fact that the ionized particles are channeled into the air filter cartridge,
instead of being allowed to remain airborne and to find other surfaces to which to attach.

The magnetized dust collection plate inside the XJ-2000 air ionizer prevents residue build-up on nearby walls,
since the ionized particles are far more magnetically attracted to the plate.

Size and Shape

Generally, an ionic air purifier is most effective when placed at a higher location, such as on a bookshelf. Air
ionizers that are compact are much better suited for optimal placement. When originating at a higher starting
point, the negative ions have a better chance of circulating around the room.

This does not apply to ionic air purifiers with a fan, where the air is blown out from the top, since the air current
blows the negative ions upward, while circulating the ions thoroughly throughout the room.

The Surround Air XJ-2000 Ionizer is very compact, making it easy to place at higher elevations within a room,
and the Multi-Tech XJ-3000C ionic air purifier blows air out the top, effectively circulating the negative ions
throughout an entire room.

Warranty/Guarantee - Supported By an Established Company

Warranty Length

An ionic air purifier should have at least a 3-year warranty, to ensure that it will run effectively for a long time.

Company Behind the Warranty

Unfortunately, there are "outfits" selling air ionizers on the internet that offer lengthy warranties, only to go out of
business long before well before the warranty period expires. In which case, it is important to verify that the
company you purchase from is an established and reputable company.

Needlepoint ionizers, without the help of additional technologies (such as Hepa air filtration), will still perform a
more than adequate job. Although not as effective as the Ionic/Hepa/Sanitizer combination air purifier (like the
Multi-Tech XJ-3000C), these units can be priced quite a bit less.

If you do opt for the low-cost route, make sure that the ionizer you choose features needlepoint ionization and a
particle collection method, so it purifies and collects, as is the case with the Surround Air XJ-2000.

Look for the best VALUE. The XJ-3000C is certainly the most effective, giving you an Ionic / HEPA Air Purifier
Combination. Negative ionization is a highly effective and practical air purification technology, but ionic air
purifiers do have their drawbacks (as do all technologies). In which case, the ultimate air purifier would utilize
other technologies to compliment and maximize the effectiveness of an ionizer, including the best filtration (i.e.
Hepa & activated carbon) and sanitization systems (ozonation and ultraviolet).

Air purifiers combining this kind of mix of technology typically cost around $500, primarily due to the uniqueness
of this combination. The Surround Air "Multi-Tech" Hepa/Ionic Air Purifier is priced low, without sacrificing
performance to other higher-priced ionizer/Hepa filter combination air purifiers.