Austin Air HealthMate Plus - HM450

I''d never owned anything other than those cheesy ionizers in the past, and my wife suggested getting a quality HEPA filter to use in our basement, which we suspected had some mold floating around. It''s never been a very smelly basement, but never seemed quite like the rest of the house either. I installed this, and within an hour, running on high, the room smelled like NOTHING. Utterly astonishing doesn''t smell like the rug, like the sofa, like fabric softener, like mold, like oil. It smells of nothing. I''m going to get one for the bedroom. It is audible on high -like a room fan on medium maybe, and actually creates a bit of a breeze which is nice. It is also made in the U.S.A, another astounding characteristic, since you can''t seem to buy anything these days that isn''t made in China. Most highly recommended. I don''t know what Consumer Reports was thinking of -none of the really high quality air filters were in their recent survey.

We bought the AustinAirHealthmate+ because the our apartment felt small and closewhich with only two of us it shouldn''t (about 700sqft). We live in an old buildingand despite all our efforts to keep it clean the air still felt... old. Not a big deal at firstbut eventually it got to us and we decided to buy an air purifier. I did LOTS of research, and came to the conclusion that this was what we needed (best value, cost, reliability, warranty, odor control and filtering...maintenence costsall with a low power draw.)

When you turn it on you are supposed to leave it on the high setting for an hour we did thatand in 15 minutes the change in air quality was so drastic I am still amazed. I was washing dishes and suddenly our small apartment didn''t seem so small. 30 minutes latter I felt I was breathing better and clearer than I had since I moved to the cityan hour latter I could have sworn I was off in the country or on a mountain top. I had no idea purified air could be this good.

After one day my wife and I resolved to have one of these filters on for the rest of our lives. After two days we didn''t even mind how much we paid for it. And if you break down the cost of purchase and filter replacement over the five years it should come to about $15 dollars a monthwith regular maintenance these guys routinely last 15 years (supposedly)...

I am still amazed with how much better my wife and I feel breathing this airand we don''t have asthma or allergies. I am impressedand Austin has a new customer.

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being sold with the

UPDATE Nov. 2012: I have been told by a rep. at Austin that the bad fan motors are no longer being made. I leave the review below so consumers can know that here may still be some old models being sold. Don''t keep it if makes a noise that bothers you. Ask for a newer model.

Original review:

Austin Air has made a good product, but reduces user satisfaction through poor product descriptions and downgraded fan motors.

Austin has multiple models with multiple names, but I discovered they all have the same 2 exterior cases with the same motors. There are 2 case/fan housing sizes, the full size and the junior. After several phone calls and much tedious reading on the web site, I have found out it''s the stuff inside (filters) that makes one unit different than another. With so many Austin Air product names like Pet Machine, Baby''s Breath, Allergy Machine, Bedroom Machine, HealthMate, HealthMate Plus, I would prefer a more straightforward comparison and clearer explanation of the different models (which means the inside filter options).

I bought both an Allergy Machine (HEGA) and an HealthMate Plus by Austin Air, and find they are a mixed success. Many brands (Sharper Image, Holms, Honeywell) have been even less useful to me. Finding a good air cleaner can cost a great deal of time and money. I advise willingness to try out and then return these products if they are not effective. I think the products available by many brands can be a great waste of money to suffering people in serious need of help. I suspect people''s satisfaction with Austin Air''s products will vary with the seriousness of their allergies/condition.

The space coverage (air cleaning area) stated is over optimistic for my needs. For useful results, it takes more than one unit for what is stated each unit will cover/clean. I''m using 2 in a rectangular, unobstructed, 650 sq. ft. area, with only a twin bed, no other furniture to block air circulation. I run 2 full size units, on high, 24/7. After trying many placements, I find the machines work best evenly spaced/at the center of a room. Moving them closer to walls (but still at least 8" from any wall, as per instructions), seriously decreases effectiveness.

Staff at Austin Air explained they purposely changed from a quieter motor to one known to be less-quiet*(*annoying, whining, IMHO). I thought the second unit I bought was broken, it sounded so different from one purchased just 2 weeks earlier. I will return the newer model. It sounds like a leaf blower running 3 blocks away, not super loud, but a constant droning, humming note. This endless tone can be heard across a 20'' room, on the lowest setting. On higher settings, it still has an ugly pitch, but the sound is somewhat covered by the sound of blowing air. Run this all the time (the only way it works), there is no break from the noise.

I almost desperately want these units for the air cleaning, but noise stress is factor, especially for those already stressed by chronic illness. I can bear it with headphones, but would/will probably have to buy electronic, noise-cancelling headphones to live with these over time. Austin Air staff told me the new, not-so-quiet motors are "more efficient in moving air", but this was not also for saving any electricity. Standing in front of the quieter one and the annoying, louder one, the air flow seems exactly as strong. They push air just as high and wide in the room. The new motor seriously degrades the product.

The Austin Air units have given noticeable (not complete) relief of symptoms, so far (less than 30 days). I have serious allergies and chemical sensitivity problems. In a room without these machines running, I must constantly medicate/endure chronic pain from allergy/chemical induced headaches. I have spent hundreds on air cleaners in the frustrating search for a machine that works. It would also be great if air cleaners would not wear out fast, not sound like aircraft engines, and not double (or worse) the electric bills. Many are ugly to look at, with little/no regard for aesthetics.

Summary; for reducing my need for medication, I''d give 4.5 stars. Austin Air also has the nicest looking unit I''ve found, including a logo sticker that can be easily removed (very nice). But, very low marks for unclear marketing (obtusely organized web site information), unpleasant customer service (staff member on phone seemed to resent helping, operator abruptly/rudely put me on hold for long periods without checking in, no email follow-up on email contact). I also find the overall value not equal to the high prices on these units. Most of all, for installing an "upgraded" motor that seriously downgrades the product, a big deduction of stars. Machines this expensive need to demonstrate significant value.

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I searched for so long for an air purifier. I wanted to find one that works, not just one that sits there and does nothing. And I read many information and reviews and decided to get this air purifier. I have used it for a month and so far it seems that it relieved my allergy pretty well. It eliminates odor well when you turn it to the highest fan speed. And I like that the filters are encasted so in the future when i need to change out the filter, the dust is not going all over from the filter to the surrounding, so this design is very thoughtful. So far i like it though it''s pricey, I think it''s worth the money for the sake of better health and living condition. My husband said he thinks there is less dust deposit on surfaces too after we have this purifier on.

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I purchased the Austin Air Healthmate Plus (Black). The product arrived on-time. At first I noticed the screws on the bottom were loose, so I simply retightened them without any difficulty. I''ve been using it now for the past week and love it. I did notice a very slight chemical odor at first. However, within a day the odor was gone and my Austin Air Healthmate Plus has been providing my house with clean fresh air. I also had a question about air output and sent the maker a e-mail. I noticed the air output from the side vent blows upwards at a 45 degree angle, and wondered if this was normal. I received a response less then 12 hours later. I found them polite and helpful, and happily explained how my product works. So far I''m happy with my purchase, and will update this review if anything changes. So far I would recommend this product again. I''m also thinking about buying a second unit for my bedroom, but I''ll wait a few more months to make sure this unit works as I want it first.

Final word: Some complain about the sound on high setting. The product does create a lot of sound on high, but no more than a standard box fan on high. With the Austin Air Healthmate Plus on high in my living room (which is a large living room combined with a dining room) I can feel it creating a slight draft towards the unit. This makes me believe the product it working well as its cycling air for my entire room. I''ve very happy with it.

UPDATE 09/12/11: Its been about a month now and I''ve used the Austin Air nearly 24/7, and it is working great. I''ve noticed the slight chemical odor I first reported disappeared in about 4 days and hasn''t returned. Additionally, my living room where the unit is located is noticeably less dusty then before.