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Products: ComparisonWhen considering alternatives, it is important to determine the most important dimension for comparison. If the very highest sub-micron particle filtration efficiency is the single critical characteristic, then HEPA filters would be the only "alternative" to the StrionAir System. However, HEPA filters have extremely high resistance to airflow (which means they are very expensive to operate), and they have no active germicidal effect. Download the StrionAir vs. HEPA technical note. Passive electrostatic filters resemble mechanical filters but rely upon one-time, factory-charged filter fibers to assist in particle filtration. These filters are purchased to provide increased filtration efficiency over low-efficiency mechanical filters without the huge cost associated with HEPA filters. Although electrostatic filters may provide adequate filtration efficiency upon installation, they can begin to lose their effectiveness in as little as a few weeks. Additionally, they provided no active germicidal effect. Bag / Box / Cartridge Filters are almost always the defacto "high performance alternative" that is installed in commercial air handlers outside of critical care healthcare and clean room environments. However, their limited filtration efficiency (especially at the sub-micron level, where they achieve at most 50% efficiency) prevents them from providing significant indoor air quality benefits to building occupants. In fact, the typical bag filter will leave up to 8 times more particulate in the air than will the StrionAir System. Additionally, bag filters must be used in combination with pre-filters, adding to system maintenance and operating costs. Download the StrionAir vs. Bag Filters technical note. Various types of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems are currently available for air applications. Many microbes can be killed or neutralized by exposure to ultraviolet light at specific wavelengths. The installation of UVGI lamps can lend an active germicidal effect to an HVAC system, but it cannot contribute to improved filtration performance. The StrionAir system matches or exceeds both the germicidal effect and the filtration performance of a combined UVGI/high-performance-filtration system, but without the need to support two independent, non-integrated systems. Download the StrionAir vs. UVGI technical note. The following chart compares the various "alternatives" along four primary dimensions: performance (both filtration efficiency and resistance to airflow), germicidal effect, operating costs, and installation (retrofit) costs. The chart uses familiar symbols to rate each technology along an ordinal scale of:
Hold your cursor over any circle to see the relative merits of the respective alternatives within each of the six comparison categories.
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