REME HALO Central Air Purifiers: Testing Data Now Includes COVID-19
Central air purifiers can be an important part of your home’s indoor air quality toolbox. Our team at Save Home Heat Company has been installing REME HALO central air purifiers from RGF Environmental Group for over a decade and we continue to recommend these state-of-the-art products as a great complement to high efficiency furnace filters, central humidifiers, and other IAQ products.
In this post, we’re going to look at the latest published testing data on the REME HALO, which for many homeowners provides plenty of reasons to look closer at this popular IAQ product. Of special note, RGF’s testing now encompasses SARS-CoV-2.
What Is the REME HALO Air Purifier?
The REME HALO Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier is the most effective air purification product that RGF manufactures for HVAC systems. RGF Environmental is a respected manufacturer with over 40 years of experience providing quality environmental products for the residential and commercial markets. The REME HALO is designed to be installed in a central ducting system, in the main ducting adjacent to the furnace or air handler, typically on the output side of the system. This highly effective air purifier has been shown to significantly reduce both airborne and surface bacteria, viruses, odors and gases (including VOCs), particulate, mold spores, and other allergens.
It is also effective at helping to sanitize indoor evaporator coils such as those used in AC and heat pump systems (a greater concern in humid climates, but still worth keeping in mind).
Advanced Design Based on Sunlight
The REME HALO mimics the processes of natural sunlight outdoors, creating low level hydrogen peroxide molecules that propagate and act as a natural sanitizer – neutralizing a broad range of microorganisms and pollutants. The design of this highly effective central air purifier combines a proprietary, advanced catalyst material with UVC (ultraviolet C) light in a specially designed cell that’s located inside a durable housing.
One of the noteworthy aspects of the REME HALO is that, unlike many other central air purifiers, due to the nature of the hydrogen peroxide molecules it produces, this product treats all of the air in the home – not just the air that passes through the ducting system.
Highly Effective, Broad Spectrum Air Purification
Deactivation rates for nearly all viruses and bacteria that have been tested with the REME HALO still come in at 99+%, with the addition of some substances that were not tested in the past. Controlled laboratory testing was performed at a variety of scientific and university facilities around the U.S., including Kansas State University, Midwest Research Institute, Intertek Microbiology Laboratory, California Microbiology Center, and Innovative Bioanalysis, Inc.
The REME HALO has been shown to be highly effective in killing a broad range of viruses and bacteria including:
- MRSA
- E-coli
- Bird Flu
- Swine Flu
- Norovirus
- MRSA
- Staph
- Strep
- Tuberculosis
- Legionella
- Salmonella
- Mold
And more…
In addition, the REME HALO is also effective at reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a broad class of airborne chemicals and gases that have been shown to accumulate at varying levels in homes. These compounds could pose potential health risks if exposure is high enough, or if at-risk individuals experience levels that can cause a health trigger. VOCs are a byproduct of a wide variety of household products, materials, and substances, including many different cleaning and sanitizing products, deodorants, cosmetics, wood stain, polish, preservatives, hobby supplies, office supplies, building materials, caulk, smoke, and more.
REME HALO Testing Update on COVID-19: Good News
RGF has now completed and published independent testing data on COVID-19. The REME HALO has tested at 99+% Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, which is the airborne virus that causes COVID-19 and was responsible for the global COVID-19 pandemic. Independent studies by Innovative Bioanalysis of Cypress, CA, were conducted in a large test chamber (8’x8’x20’) on inoculated surfaces and on surfaces exposed to the aerosolized virus. Testing continues on SARS-CoV-2 on various RGF products for both surface and airborne viral reduction.
Does the REME HALO Play Well With Other IAQ Products?
In many cases, the answer is yes! The REME HALO complements many other common IAQ products, covering important indoor air quality ground that few products can even begin to approach.
For example, MERV16 and MERV11 air cleaners are a great furnace filter upgrade for many forced air heating and cooling systems – they’re outstanding at reducing a broad range of airborne dust, pet dander, allergens, and even larger bacteria. Some air cleaners can even help reduce odors and ozone. However, their ability to remove or neutralize bacteria, viruses, and VOCs from your indoor air is fairly limited when the particle sizes get smaller. The REME HALO essentially picks up where these great furnace filters leave off, making it a great companion for those products.
The same can also be said for matching this high quality air purifier with an ultra efficient HEPA air filtration system: a great fit! As for central humidifiers and fresh ventilators such as ERVs, the REME HALO plays well with those products, too.
REME HALO Maintenance Requirements
The REME HALO’s purifier cell, which combines the UVC bulb and the catalyst material, is recommended to be replaced after approximately every 25,000 hours of use. Assuming that the air purifier is powered up 24 hours a day, this means the cell will need to be replaced approximately once every three years. While it might initially seem to make sense to power down the REME HALO after the furnace fan turns off at the end of each heating or cooling cycle, it’s actually better for the life and longevity of the cell to leave the purifier powered up continuously. Numerous on/off cycles actually shorten cell life and effectiveness of the unit. Other than that consideration, the REME HALO requires zero maintenance between cell changes.
What About Ozone Production?
Many household appliances emit what are considered, according to federal standards, to be safe, low levels of ozone and EMF (electromagnetic frequency). These products include fluorescent lights, motors, computers, refrigerators, blenders, electronic air filters, air conditioners, fans, microwave ovens, and more. As with the designs of other air cleaning and purification products, people may have concerns about the production of ozone as a byproduct of the RGF air purification process.
RGF’s Advanced Oxidation Technology has been thoroughly tested by several third party labs and is in full compliance with Federal Safety Standards.
Central Air Purifiers in the Denver-Boulder Metro Area
Please reach out to our friendly team at Save Home Heat Company today to schedule a highly informative, low-pressure, free install quote for a quality central air purifier for your Boulder-Denver area home. This would be a good time to also learn more about whole-house IAQ strategies that could potentially include a high efficiency furnace filter and a central humidifier, if appropriate for your needs and your home.
Please contact me to schedule a central purifier install quote!
