In a conversation with a representative of a leading maker of portable air purifiers, I was told that most portable air purifiers today are very similar when it comes to removing air particles. A better than 99 percent particle reduction rate is common, he told me. It is when you get beyond particle reduction that you find most differences among purifiers, as I learned when researching for the article I posted this past week on Green Lodging News.
I suspect very few of you offer guestrooms with portable air purifiers included. Vinny Lobdell Jr., President of HealthWay | PURE Global, estimates less than 5 percent of hotels include portable air purifiers in the guestroom. Thirteen percent of respondents to last year’s 2016 Lodging Survey said they offer guestrooms with air purifiers. They can be found in the allergy-friendly PURE Rooms offered by PURE Global and are beginning to be offered by other suppliers as a way to not only improve indoor air quality but also bring in extra revenue.
Portable air purifiers, chosen carefully, can provide a much cleaner indoor air environment for guests. That is good news especially for those travelers with breathing challenges and chemical sensitivities. According to the E.P.A., indoor air quality can be two to five times—and occasionally up to 100 times—more polluted than outside air. The paints, furniture, adhesives and other materials you choose for your hotel, along with dust, dander, pollen, cigarette smoke, dirt tracked in from shoes, combustion products, biological particles from mold and more all dirty guestroom air.
Three Air Purifier Examples
I spoke with three suppliers for my article—all of whom offer a different take on guestroom air purification. Each of the purifiers can be used as part of a room upgrade package. HealthWay’s HW Deluxe is used in PURE Rooms. Blueair North America is currently rolling out its Blueair Pro M as part of its Blueair Room program. Those hotels featuring Innovaci Inc.’s AireSpa system are also offering it as an upgrade or premium room feature.
The strength of HealthWay’s HW Deluxe is that it addresses three pollutant categories. First, it has been proven to capture 99.99 percent of all particles as small as .007 microns in size. A seven-stage pre-filter and main filter capture the particles. A heavy duty nine-stage, commercial-grade gas and odor filter eliminates most gases and the patented DFS technology removes 94 to 100 percent of harmful viruses, molds, and bacteria.
Blueair, Inc.’s Blueair Pro M, using electrostatic and mechanical filtration, removes particle pollutants such as bacteria, viruses, pet dander, dust and pollen. The company’s SmokeStop Filter eliminates gaseous pollutants, for example VOCs such as formaldehyde, tobacco smoke and particles. For extra protection against gaseous pollutants, the company offers a Blueair Carbon+ Filter. The Blueair Air Intelligence Module (AIM) allows one to set a Pro unit to auto mode. Using particle and gas sensors, the AIM continuously tests the indoor air quality and automatically adjusts the speed setting based on the actual air quality conditions.
An Air, Scent & Sound Experience
Innovaci Inc. has taken the concept of air purification and built upon it with its AireSpa system that also includes an Electo Sanitized Mist producing humidifier, aromatherapy with four nature inspired scents, and 16 Soundscapes to aid in better sleep and relaxation. All of these are controlled using a touch screen remote control—a tablet. The AireSpa Management System allows real-time remote monitoring of each unit; generates reports to track trends and usage; and can connect with a hotel’s back end to offer various billing options for guests.
As you consider the purchase of portable indoor air purifiers, be sure to ask about their maintenance and who will be responsible for it. And as Brian Prestifilippo, V.P. of Business Development for Blueair North America told me, be sure the purifier is AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) certified. AHAM certifies and verifies that air purifiers do what they promise to do.
Do you have experience including portable air purifiers in your guestrooms? Has it worked? Not worked for you? I would love to know. I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
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