Salin Plus Device (NEW), Salt Therapy Air Purifier with 2 year warranty, $169.95 watching | This is our lives now, having to deal with mosquitoes every night. The redness, the swelling and the uncontrollable itching that come with a mosquito bite are enough to ruin our sleep and our day. Sometimes, we resort to store bought insect repellents to keep mosquitoes away, but these insect repellents often contain a toxic pesticide that is dangerous to human health. Fortunately, Sharp has a new device to help most of us in tackling mosquito problem. It is an air purifier that also catches the bloodsucking insects. SHARP launched the FP-FM40, the world’s first air purifier with mosquito catcher last year. And this month, SHARP is adding another model to this range, a more compact FP-GM30. The package comes with HEPA filter and glue sheets that we installed once we unboxed the air purifier. It is indeed an air purifier like no other, with three main functions: 1) Plasmacluster Ion (PCI) Technology: Protects users from viruses, allergens and microbes as well as inhibits the growth of mould.

2) Air purifier function: Protects users from dust and tiny particles as it is capable of trapping dangerous air particles as small as 2.5 microns, 3) Mosquito catcher: Reduces the nuisance and threats of mosquito by using a cleverly designed glue trap that uses UV light to attract and ensnare mosquitoes. The new model is more compact, allowing us to carry it around and use it in the living room (day time) and bedroom (night time). The FP-GM30 also comes with the Haze mode, another function designed for especially for us and our neighbouring countries, to eliminate fine particles efficiently and reduce some toxic substances of HAZE (smoke pollution). Haze mode emits maximum Plasmacluster Ions for the first 10 minutes with the strongest airflow for maximum efficacy. After 50 minutes on high mode, airflow alternates between low and high modes to reduce operation noise. When Sleep Mode is turned on, the fan automatically switches to low speed and fan operation becomes quiet.

Also, the blue illuminating Plasmacluster logo turns off so that your sleep is undisturbed. First, we installed the HEPA Triple filter which is the best grade High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter enable 99.97% of 0.3 μm particles to be removed. Love the triple filter protection for me and my family! The mechanism of the mosquito catcher is very clever too! The LED UV light is seductive for some species. The black body of the air purifier is known to be the attractive colour for mosquitos. The narrow shape of the air inlet by the sides is designed according to the mosquito’s behaviour of hiding in narrow spaces. The unique powerful air flow and suction of SHARP’s air purifier is also one of the main factors that helps to capture and trap the mosquitoes. The uniquely designed replaceable 3-layer glue sheet can seal the mosquito firmly. It can last at least 1 month per layer, with a total of 3 months with 3 layers. There is no hassle in changing or cleaning the mess with its easy disposal structure.

We also installed the glue sheet on the upper hooks inside the catch panel of air purifier. Then press the bottom edge of the glue sheet to secure. The glue sheet isIndoor Water Fountains Vancouver 100% harmless with strong catching power. Lowes Hot Tub HeaterIt is also exchangeable; Air Purifier Cactusthe recommended period of each layer is one month. 3 pieces is included with the purchase, and any additional purchase can be done at Sharp’s authorised dealers. We have been using it for few weeks now, and we have not been experiencing mosquito problems so far. Our morning sinus also improved as plasmacluster ion technology is proven to effectively kill germs, bacteria, viruses, mold and odors. You know what excites me the most?

The moment I open up the machine to reveal the glue sheet with mosquito’s carcass muahahhahah. It does its job as a mosquito catcher but it would be nice to see it catches more. In my seven years here in China, one of my most annoying chores has been researching air purifiers for my house — and maintaining them. It’s just exhausting to research brands, figure out what rooms need which — and of course calculate what’s the best value. It’s also an endlessly annoying hassle to keep searching for the cheapest replacement filters, which are far more expensive here than in the USA. I hated feeling helpless to rely on sales pitches from just a couple of companies, so I started to do my own home testing and posting on this blog. This summer I tested a new entry to China, the Airgle series (Chinese website here). I pitted their PM2.5 flagship model, the PurePal Clean Room Air AG900, against my steadfast friends IQAir and Blueair. Which came out on top this time? First, I needed a handheld machine to measure the pollution.

This time, I borrowed a model called Chinaway from the team at Vogmask. This calculates the PM2.5 and PM10 concentration directly, in ug/m3. To convert this to the more familiar AQI, you need to use the online concentration-to-AQI calculator here, from the US EPA. Next, I borrowed the Airgle from the local vendor (started by Charlie Thomson, our local Aquasana rep). According to their website, it “features a 40 sq ft cHEPA filter with an efficiency of over 99.991%”. I then spent two weeks comparing this to my home’s five (!) machines: two IQAir Health Pro 250 models, one IQAir Health Pro 150, one Blueair 501 and a Blueair 403. I rotated all of them through four different rooms: my kitchen, the living room, and two bedrooms. Then I recorded the PM2.5 a couple of times each day and entered all the data into a gloriously complicated and colorful Excel spreadsheet. Since I didn’t have a “test room” this time, I compared each room’s PM2.5 with the outdoor air at that same time (outside my window).

1. General protection was good with all: Wouldn’t it be wonderful to eliminate 80% of your lifetime exposure to China’s pollution, at all times? How about 90% or better when you’re sleeping, which is one third of your life? I think that’s a pretty darn good goal — and my tests showed overall efficiency of 84% using all models together, which I feel is extremely reassuring. While the outside PM2.5 averaged an unhealthy 84 ug/m3 (AQI of 166), my indoor PM2.5 was a much better 13 ug/m3 (AQI 53). Think about that — my newborn child, since he’s almost exclusively at home, has a sharply reduced exposure to China’s air pollution during his entire childhood here in China, thanks to air purifiers. Here’s the overall efficiency for each model: As you can see, all the larger models were about equal effectiveness, getting 78-85%. The Airgle did the best, but given the homemade statistics of my sampling, it’s difficult to state if this is truly a better machine. But in either case, it worked at least as well as the other models.

2. Bedroom Results: As I’ve mentioned in previous results, you can instantly eliminate one third of your lifetime exposure to China’s pollution simply by using a good purifier in your bedroom and closing the doors while sleeping. All models were on their quieter settings, providing a nice white noise in the background which I actually like. Here are my results this time: I mostly worry about protecting my six month old son, so I am pleased that his bedroom was 90% protected at all times. Some morning readings approached 99%! But you certainly don’t need the flagship models in a small bedroom: the smaller models were perfectly fine. 3. Large room results: My open kitchen, dining room and living room are all connected, so it’s been difficult in the past to properly filter these rooms. I recently added a second IQAir 250 to join its older sister in the front, and I am very pleased that my results prove that I finally have good coverage, hitting that 80% goal for the first time in my three tests over the years.

The further good news is that all combinations of the larger machines did well. The Airgle also did very well, and is much quieter than the Blueair 501 at the maximum speeds. Sometimes the PM2.5 levels shot up, especially with Chinese cooking (also candles and incense!) and cranking them all up would bring levels down. But at max settings, I’d have to give Airgle kudos for having the quietest volume at max speed. Clearly the filtering technology in the Airgle and the IQAir are superior to the Blueair, as they both have closed HEPA filters which literally filter essentially 100% of particles even smaller than PM2.5. Both models got a very impressive PM2.5 reading of zero (100% efficiency) when I held the monitor right at their outflow of filtered air. But as my results show, it’s not just about the HEPA filter, it’s also about air flow rates and CADR results. Blueair was a solid performer in my tests even with their lower-CADR Smokestop filters — which weren’t even brand new, by the way (8 months old).

But I’m sure you can argue that a better HEPA filter is preferred for China’s harsh environment, as there are plenty of other pollutants and VOCs which may be much better handled with a better filter. Actually, one could argue about a lot of variables with these machines, especially value. And the prices of both Airgle and IQAir models in China right now are super expensive, and there’s just no way I will be convinced that it’s all about taxes and shipping extras. Sure, every commercial product has premium brands, but the markups boggle the mind. The Airgle models sold in China are made in China, and they are far more expensive here than the ones in the USA — which are exported from their South Korea factory! The Airgle AG900 in the USA is only 5,518 RMB ($900) on Amazon, a small fraction of the 17,990 RMB price here in China on their Taobao store.  I personally think there’s a lot of pure corporate greed going on in this industry, taking advantage of Chinese consumers’ fear and demand.

It may be legal, but it’s not ethical, and it really irks me that the world’s most vulnerable populations, much poorer and in far more polluted cities, are forced to spend far more to protect their health. It’s no wonder everyone’s reading about an American’s testing of a DIY air purifier for 166 RMB! I also recommend that consumers check out an excellent comparison from Shanghai of two dozen models, including prices and results from PM2.5 and formaldehyde. But don’t get too bogged down on the sticker shock — in general, you do get what you pay for. And don’t forget to factor in the replacement filter costs, which can easily cost more than the original machine when stretched out over a 3-6 year window. I am honestly very impressed with Airgle’s technology, style, solid build and quietness, but I already have a bunch of purifiers. If I had to start all over again, I think both the Airgle and the IQAir top models would be great for my large front rooms and kitchen.