Customer Reviews

Austin Air HEGA (Allergy Machine) Air Purifier - Black

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have severe chemical sensitivities. I've tried almost every filter on the market that is supposed to take fragrances, etc. out of the air, but I've found none that lives up to their promises like the ones with the carbon filters by Austin. I have this in my home and it is certainly worth every penny I spent. Any perfumes or other fragrances that enter my home are taken care of pretty efficiently by this. For my 1100 sq. ft. home I keep this one in my bedroom and the Healthmate plus (also by Austin Air) in the living room and together they really keep the air clean. In fact, I usually cannot tell if there is a skunk nearby unless I open a door or a window...and my house is certainly not air tight.

The main difference between this one and the Healthmate Plus is that the Healthmate Plus works the best on chemicals/fragrances in the air where this one is a good all purpose filter that also takes fragrances out of the air. This is why I keep it in my bedroom - I have a dust allergy and while the Healthmate Plus is certainly good at taking dust out of the air but we chose the Allergy Machine for my bedroom.

There are three settings, low, medium and high. High is pretty loud, but not an irritating sound; low isn't too loud, but it is certainly not silent. You don't hear the motor, rather it is the airflow coming out that makes the sound. It is, what I consider, a gentle "white noise" sound.

It has wheels (they don't lock) that move very well and I've never had one fall off. In fact, I find these machines very well made - not shabby - and I've had them for five years. They are made of metal and not plastic and I've never had to air one out.

If you buy this for chemical sensitivities make sure it is the one with the carbon zeolite filter. If it is missing that one (and therefore about $100 cheaper) the other filters can become contaminated with fragrances and don't air out quickly. We accidentally didn't order the right filter the first time and found out the hard way; after days of airing one out outside with the filter running on full it didn't improve. We then ordered the carbon zeolite filter and were pleased that my husband didn't have a hard time taking this apart to replace the filter; it wasn't completely easy as the filter isn't really light, but it was certainly doable.

One thing you should do is to vacuum the holes on the outside once in a while because they will start getting a little clogged up with dust after a couple years (or less if you don't vacuum or dust often).

The filter is good for four years and if you contact the manufacturer before then needing a new one (we use ours ALL the time and so needed to replace ours after three) they will, as of a few months ago at least, prorate a replacement.

Overall, I'm very pleased and would highly recommend this.

Austin Air has made a switch in it's fan motors sometime in late 2011/ early 2012 (I am not certain of the date. I ordered and received a quiet fan model in late Dec., while receiving the noisier model 2 weeks later). The new, motors do not save any electricity over the old ones, but are louder. The old motors were quiet and only the sound of blowing air could be heard. The new motors make a humming, high pitched sound that is disturbing to me, even on lowest setting. If the sound of your machine bothers you, I encourage you to use the 30 day satisfaction guarantee, and send it back. Tell Austin Air about the sound, maybe they will get the message.

All great reviews of Austin Air products made before the change will not apply to the "upgraded" motors. Sometimes manufacturers change a formerly great product for the worse and unsuspecting new customers buy based on reviews of the older models. The new motors are supposed to be "more efficient at moving air", according to an Austin Air staff member. Side by side (old and new), I feel equal fan force, the only detectable difference is the annoying sound in the new. It's sad to learn that these machines can work more quietly or with more noise and Austin Air has chosen to make them more noisy.

Austin Air has the best filters I've found in years of searching, but I need the better filters than the Allergy Machines in my studio/living area. Instead, I tried the Healthmate Plus, which has a far superior filter. Spend the extra money, if you have allergies, despite the name of this unit. They really should just make the high end filters (the lessor models are a waste). Read the specs, the Healthmate Plus has 15 pounds of carbon/iodine that the Allergy Machine doesn't have. It makes a significant difference.

If you are seeking help for serious allergies/chemical sensitivities, be sure to experiment with the air flow in your space for maximum benefit. Moving air is the key to cleaning it. The only way to clean the air is to have it go through the filter. The best filter in the world will only clean the air it contacts. Put the Austin Air as close to room center as possible.

If needed, put additional fans (circulators) at distances from the Austin Air to keep all the air moving. Otherwise, in larger rooms, the expensive Austin Air Machine might less effectively filter a loop/bubble of air surrounding it. Don't filter the same air over and over, while missing the other air in your space. This has allowed me to greatly reduce decongestant, antihistamine and migraine medication. (Best wishes to all those seeking relief.)

The 5 year unit guarantee is great, as well as the filter replacement discounts for replacing filters sooner than 5 years (but products such as this should all have this assurance of quality). Austin Air's best filters are great, worth 5 stars. The cases are also top rate, well designed and attractive. I deduct 1 star because of the new, unnecessarily noisy fan motors, 1 for selling less effective filters as well as a better one, and 1 star deduction for overly high prices.

There is room in this market for similar, somewhat better products at a lower prices. Look inside; it's a case, a fan, a fan motor and a set of filters. At about $150 - $200 less per unit, with a quieter motor, they'd probably sell many more units. Sales volume and good reputation would make profitable competition against Austin Air (or improve Austin Air). Great air cleaners could be available to many more people (many allergy/MCS sufferers don't have $500+ to plunk down, despite how much these help).

Austin Air also has too many different model variations. I'd pick the best filters, combine them to make one great filter type/name, and offer it in 2 sizes (Austin makes 5 models, 4 of them in 2 sizes each, not to mention color choices). The color choices are significant. Austin Air offers black, white, silver and sandstone for high aesthetic value (neutral choices for most interior environments). Do they really also need midnight blue, baby blue and pink? (What color is your flat screen frame, your refrigerator? We're talking about appliances/electronics!) It could reduce costs and complications by focusing on making fewer, but better products. If costs could be streamlined, these life-changing machines could help many more people.

This product is excellent and keeps the room clean and has three speeds very effective...would recommended it to anyone looking to keep their household air clean and fresh. Very durable construction..no weak plastic..solid metal.