IQ Air’s most popular model contains 3 filters. The units (see picture below) consists of 3 filters with a extremely powerful and quiet fan sandwiched between them. The air is pulled in from the bottom where it passes through a very robust pre-filter- unlike most pre-filters in HEPA units this is not just a flimsy screen but a filter that removes the vast majority (over 90%) of all particles passing through the unit, all but the very smallest. This way the more expensive other filters are spared from having to deal with anything but this filter cannot trap. Next is the V-5 Gas filter . this contains a large quantity of granular activated carbon and impregnated alumina. The will remove a wide range of unwanted household odors and gaseous chemicals. Finally what gets pass the first two filters goes to not an ordinary HEPA filter but a Cleanroom grade HyperHEPA filter which traps small and ultra-small particles including bacteria, viruses, allergens and sub-micron size dust.
The result of all of this is a unit which unlike the 70% average efficiency unit mentioned above instead is guaranteed to be at least 99.98% efficient. This is not an idle boast- it is guaranteed. Each unit is tested before shipping with a laser particle scanner to determine if it meets this standard. The technician will test to make sure that each fan speed at least meets the specification and checks the indoor air before the cleaner is on and then the cleanliness of the air coming out of each of the 6 outputs at the sides of the top of the unit. Each unit which I have personally received has had outputs ranging from zero to 500 particles per cubic foot- a big difference from the more typical 600,000 of other units. At these high efficiencies these units quickly clean the air- reducing your exposures to allergens, dust, pollen, chemical out-gassing and smoke, thus improving your health.