FAQ

June 21, 2021 – 10 Min

GENERAL

What is Rensair?

Rensair is a hospital-grade portable air purifier with patented technology used to clean the air from unwanted particles, live viruses, bacteria, pollen, dust, smell etc.

The name RENSAIR is pronounced [ren-sair].

Where is Rensair located?

Rensair is an international company with Scandinavian origins. The head office is now in the UK (London) and the company has operations in the UK, Europe, the USA and Asia.

To date, Rensair has delivered units to a total of 28 countries on 5 different continents.

Who owns Rensair?

Rensair is a private company. The product was developed by a ventilation engineer named Henrik Hendriksen and the company is run by his two sons, Christian and Frederik Hendriksen.

What types of businesses can benefit from using Rensair?

Rensair is used by corporate offices, nursing facilities, restaurants, gyms & yoga studios, hotels, hospitality venues, salons, dentists and hospitals.

Given the portable design, Rensair fits into most spaces and is a modular solution.

Why is independent 3rd party validation of air purifiers so important?

The UK SAGE committee cites the importance of independent testing. This is important because the performance of some products on the market is overstated, while alternative technologies may be ineffective at trapping and killing viruses and bacteria. In reference to Coronavirus, SAGE warns that “technologies based on UVA/UVB, ionisation, plasma, electrostatic precipitation and oxidation methods have limited evidence of efficacy against the virus and/or significant concerns over toxicological risks during application”.

Rensair is based on SAGE’s recommended HEPA filtration combined with germicidal UVC technology and is independently validated by research labs including Eurofins, Norconsult, Oslo University Hospital and the Danish Technological Institute.

PRE-SALE ADVICE

Does Rensair charge for an indoor air quality consultation?

No, we do it for free. We want to serve the best interests of our customers, so our advice is genuine, transparent and always substantiated by independent validation.

What does a free consultation entail?

Rensair collaborates with clients to develop the optimum indoor air quality for meeting building requirements, as well as government recommendations for mitigating the risks of Covid transmission.

We take into account floor plans, existing ventilation systems and occupancy rates, before recommending a tailor-made configuration using our portable, modular units. Our no-obligation advice is based on verifiable data, research and experience, which is made freely available to ensure that decisions affecting health are well-informed.

TECHNOLOGY

What is a HEPA filter?

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air and refers to filters made in accordance with specific requirements. HEPA filters are mechanical filters with a capacity for sifting small particles at a much higher rate than any other conventional filter.

What’s important about HEPA filters is they’re incredibly effective at capturing almost every size of particle. They can capture viruses, bacteria, pollen, PM2.5, allergens, and more.

What is UVC light?

UVC light is short-wavelength ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 200-290 nanometres. It is characterized as germicidal because it inactivates bacteria and viruses, from the seasonal flu to SARS-CoV-2. It disrupts the molecular bonds of their DNA and RNA, preventing the viruses from reproducing and causing illness.

Note that UVC light can be dangerous to humans if used in an open environment. Rensair’s UVC light is safely encapsulated within the filter and hence presents no exposure risk.

Why is Rensair’s unique airflow system so effective?

For three reasons:

A. Air enters at the top of the unit – away from the ‘dirty zone’ near the floor – and, after passing through pre-filters, is pushed down by a powerful fan into the cylinder-shaped H13 HEPA filter below. Pushing air through the filter is far more effective than sucking it through, increasing air volumes and conserving power.

B. High static air pressure is created inside the cylinder to push air outwards through the dense H13 HEPA filter. This design ensures that air leaves the unit at 360 degrees and full room air circulation is achieved. It purifies up to 560m3 per hour, not just the air immediately surrounding the unit.

C. As viruses, bacteria and other airborne microorganisms hit the pleated inside surface of the H13 HEPA filter, they are trapped. The continued air flow keeps the microorganisms stuck on the filter surface. The uninterrupted airflow means that viruses and other particulate matter are held in place and cannot escape destruction by the 18W UVC lamp. ‘Fly-by-kill’ products do not subject viruses to UVC light long enough to guarantee inactivation, because the particles are moving targets.

PERFORMANCE

What type of stuff will Rensair remove from the air?

A. Bacteria and viruses (Pathogens). This includes but is not limited to the Coronavirus family, Parainfluenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Paramyxovirus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Francisella tularensis, Haemophilus influenzae, Orthomyxovirus – Influenza, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Adenovirus, Reovirusø , Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas pseudomallei, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Haemophilus parainfluenzae.

B. Mold spores and yeasts

C. Pollen and allergens

D. Odours; typically from household fumes, cooking or smoking

What particle size (microns) is Rensair effective in filtering?

Due to the nature of a HEPA filter and Rensair’s unique patented technology, the unit captures particles of all sizes. Particle sizes of 0.3 microns are the most difficult to catch for a H13 HEPA filter, given their airborne behaviour, so 0.3 microns is known as the Most Penetrating Particle Size or MPPS. At that size, the unit achieves a minimum filtration performance of 99.97%. Particles smaller and larger are easier to filter and the effectiveness is therefore higher, reaching 100% performance under 0.05 microns and above 5.0 microns.

How large spaces can I use Rensair in and what does 560m³/hr airflow mean?

The ceiling height in a normal room is 2-3 metres (7-10 feet). Assuming the height is 3m/10ft, Rensair’s airflow capacity means it is able to clean all air in a 185m²/2,000ft² room once every hour. If you are running the Rensair air purifier at lowest capacity, we advise that you use one Rensair for every 120m²/1,250ft² of space. For larger spaces, multiple Rensair air purifiers can be used in combination.

Where should I position my Rensair to be most effective?

You can place your Rensair anywhere you like, as long as it has access to the air in the room you would like cleaned. With its 360-degree air intake, it pulls in air from all around the unit.

Will a Rensair work if I have my window open?

Yes, the Rensair will still work if you open your windows or doors. However, it may not be as efficient as if the room was sealed because, with windows and doors open, new allergens and outdoor pollution are continuously reintroduced to the room.

CORONAVIRUS

How does Rensair perform against Coronavirus?

The diameter of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been found to range between 0.05 to 0.14 microns. Research by NASA proves that HEPA filters are most efficient at capturing ultrafine particles below the 0.3-micron HEPA test standard. A recent study by the Henry Ford Health System shows that UVC light is effective for killing Covid-19 on N95 respirators.

We estimate that SARS-CoV-2 particles captured inside the Rensair air purifier by the H13 HEPA filter, with its surface continuously illuminated by the UVC light, are killed in 4-6 seconds. Tests conducted by the Danish Technological Institute in March 2021, which used aerosolized MS2 bacteriophages as a proxy for Covid-19, further proved its efficiency at capturing and inactivating the Coronavirus family of viruses. The result was a particle reduction rate of 99.98 % in 15 minutes and above 99.99 % in 30 minutes.

Typically, an inhaled viral infection requires 1,950 to 3,000 virus particles to infect a person, but the threshold for Covid-19 infection is estimated at only 300 virus particles. That makes air purification even more important as a mitigant. The Rensair unit can purify 560m3 of air per hour, reducing 67% of particles in the atmosphere with every air change and killing over 99.97% of airborne viruses. Air purification units that combine HEPA filtration with germicidal UVC light are recommended by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) as a means to remove airborne coronavirus.

SAFETY

Are there any hazardous by-products?

None at all. Rensair uses subtractive technologies, trapping and killing bacteria and viruses. The UVC light is completely enclosed, so it does not pose any health hazard. Other air purification systems that use additive technologies can emit ozone, formaldehyde or other chemicals, which are potentially harmful and can cause skin irritation or respiratory problems. Rensair is 100% safe.

Is Rensair safe with children or animals around?

Rensair is perfectly safe with children or animals around. The unit is not dangerous in any way and is certified CE and ROHS by EU standards, ETL standards in the USA and Canada as well as CARB in the USA. The unit is robust, with a metal casing that prevents children from tampering with it or knocking it over.

DELIVERY, WARRANTY & MAINTENANCE

What maintenance is required for a Rensair air purifier?

Pre-filters should be checked weekly for any dust or dirt build up and cleaned when necessary. Remove all four filters by pressing the small clip button at the top and lifting them up. If possible, shake dust off outdoors. Use a vacuum cleaner or dry cloth to remove finer dust. If needed, use mild soap and water to wash them. Make sure the filters are completely dry before re-inserting them.

The HEPA filter and UVC light requires service after 9,000 hours (approximately 1 year of continuous runtime). Your Rensair will automatically alert you when the parts need to be replaced via the ‘service indicator’ on the display. Changing the HEPA filter is a simple process and described in the instruction manual, but if any assistance is required, our technicians are always willing to help.

What is the warranty of my Rensair?

Rensair offers 1 year limited warranty. If something happens in that year, please contact us at support@rensair.com and we will immediately replace your Rensair.

How quickly can you deliver?

We keep stock in the UK, Belgium and the US and can deliver in 1-5 days for these countries and 1-2 weeks for most other countries.

Does Rensair offer a maintenance service?

Although the product is very low maintenance, we can arrange service contracts if required.

NOISE & SMELL

How loud is Rensair?

Rensair has 3 airflow settings: LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH. On the auto setting, it will automatically adjust according to the concentration of particulate matter in the room, increasing airflow when needed and reverting to LOW when conditions are back to normal.

To measure noise levels we use the dBA scale, which reflects what the human ear actually hears.

A. LOW setting = 45dBA, an even white noise, equivalent to the recommended white noise level limit for an infant sleep machine. On a Sound Pressure Level (SPL) metre, it sits between ‘quiet whisper’ and ’quiet home’.
B. MEDIUM setting = 52dBA, equivalent to a ‘quiet home’ on a SPL metre.
C. HIGH setting = 59dBA, equivalent to a ‘quiet street’ on the SPL metre, which is fine for a lively place like a restaurant or pub with some background music present.

Nowadays, most offices are open plan. Many companies actually pay for sound masking machines that deliberately add unobtrusive background noise to manipulate the acoustics in the room and block sound travel. The manufactured noise is similar to airflow, so the Rensair unit is effectively doing two jobs.

Does the Rensair unit cause a smell?

When new, it is sometimes possible to detect a faint scent from the filters, which is due to borosilicate fibreglass resin and is totally harmless. Once the unit has been running for a few days, any smell will disappear. If the unit is not new, a smell would indicate that the filters need changing – in a typical office environment the filters need changing after 9000 hours of continuous run time (1 year).

PRICING AND RUNNING COSTS

How does Rensair manage to offer such a low price for a top-end product?

It is true that we offer superior performance, more features and independent validation for less than half the price of our hospital-grade competitors. The reason we can do this is that, although the company is only 12 months old, the product development costs have been absorbed by the company’s previous incarnation, which involved joining development over a 20-year period with Scandinavian hospitals. Hence there is a lower R&D burden attached to the company today.

How much power does Rensair use?

The Rensair uses only 160 – 220W, depending on the airflow level. This is equivalent to a modern day fridge-freezer found in most residential kitchens.

Using Rensair can significantly reduce energy costs for business premises. In cold climates, any intake of outdoor air must be heated. Since Rensair air purifiers are so effective at cleaning the air, the intake of fresh, outdoor air can be reduced, thereby saving on ventilation and heating bills. Similarly, in hot climates, less fresh air means less energy on ventilation and air conditioning.

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