Q: What is AHAM?
A: The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is an organization
that certifies the testing results of home appliances such as refrigerators, room air
conditioners, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and room air cleaners. Since 1967, we've used
outside labs to test products, and today you'll find AHAM certified ratings on a variety
of appliances. This makes comparing products easier for you.Q: How does an air cleaner earn the AHAM seal?
A:
Manufacturers voluntarily participate and must comply with AHAM packaging regulations
and requirements in the AHAM certification program. We use an independent lab and
standardized tests (known as ANSI/AHAM AC-1) to verify the CADR.
Q: What is AHAM's Clean Air
Delivery Rate (CADR)?
A: The AHAM seal (usually found on the back of an air
cleaner's box) lists three Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) numbers -- one for tobacco
smoke, one for pollen and one for dust. The CADR indicates volume of filtered air
delivered by an air cleaner. The higher the tobacco smoke, pollen and dust numbers, the
faster the unit filters the air.
Q: How to use CADR to compare air cleaners.
A: We suggest that consumers compare CADR numbers from manufacturer to
manufacturer and from air cleaner to air cleaner. They should first look at the
AHAM-suggested room size. Then they should refer to the dust, tobacco smoke and pollen
CADR numbers. If from one unit to the other the ratings are the same, consumers then know
that air filtering performance is similar.
- Q: How are air cleaners tested?
A: We inject test particles of tobacco smoke, dust and pollen into the air
cleaner test chamber. Sophisticated, electronic particle-counting devices monitor the
exact concentration of contaminants. The air cleaner is turned off in the first test. This
procedure establishes the natural decay rate, which we then subtract from the rate
established during the second test when the air cleaner is operating. This way, the system
is not credited with any performance that is attributable to gravity.
Q: Who developed the CADR testing
procedures?
A: AHAM and its participating members developed CADR. It is based on the
recommended standard for particulate removal adopted in 1988 by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI). This standard, known as ANSI/AHAM AC-1, measures removal of
tobacco smoke particles, dust and pollen. ANSI's approval of the standard means that the
test protocol has gone through peer review and has been accepted by the scientific and
public health communities.
In addition, the Federal Trade
Commission staff and consultants from the Environmental Protection Agency have reviewed
AC-1 and agreed that it provides a reasonable basis for making claims on performance. AHAM
is aware of no other test protocols for room air cleaners that have gone through such
stringent oversight and development processes.
All independent testing and
verification for the AHAM Room Air Cleaner Certification program are provided by Inchcape
Testing Services. Located in Cortland, New York, Inchcape is an independent laboratory
under contract to AHAM.
Q: Why should I buy a certified
product?
A: There are many brands, styles and types of filtering technologies
available. Since AHAM's air cleaner certification program is standardized across all
platforms, you have a level playing field for comparing air cleaner performance. No matter
what technology you are considering, just compare the CADR numbers from one unit to
another, and you'll know how well your unit filters the air.
Q: How often does AHAM test
products?
A: We test new products before they arrive in stores. All other products are
tested and recertified annually.
Q: What should I do if the air
cleaner I'm considering isn't certified?
A: We recommend asking the manufacturer to join the certification program.
Only AHAM certified products have been independently tested and rated based on filtering
performance.
Q: What size air cleaner is right
for me?
A: Look for the AHAM certification seal on an air cleaner package, and
you'll find the unit's CADR and recommended room size.
Q: How often do I need to change
my air cleaner's filter?
A: That depends on your air cleaner. Some filters need to be changed
monthly; some more often. Check your air cleaner's product literature to find out what's
appropriate for your unit, or call the manufacturer for more information. |
