In this article, we will break down:

• how much you’ll actually pay over time for genuine IQAir replacement filters
• why it’s not recommended to use imitation IQAir filters

IQAir filter costs

The flagship IQAir HealthPro Plus room air purifier requires three different replacement filters: the PreMax coarse particle filter for large particles like dust and pet dander, the HyperHEPA fine and ultrafine particle filter, and V5-Cell gas and odor filters.

The initial replacement filter cost may seem high at first, but IQAir filters have comparatively longer replacement intervals than competitor filters (based on usage of 10 hours a day on speed 3):

• PreMax ($79): 18 months
• HyperHEPA ($199): 4 years
• V5-Cell ($99): 2 years

Given these costs and replacement intervals, here’s an overview of how much it will actually cost to replace your filters and operate your air purifier over a 10-year period, using the HealthPro Plus as an example:

The average annual cost comes to approximately $130.80 (assuming that you run your system for 10 hours a day at speed 3; the cost can be lower if you run it less).

Can I use non-IQAir filters that are compatible with my IQAir system?

By using a fake filter, you run the risk of wearing out the motor prematurely because it’s working harder to push the same amount of air through less dense material in a fake filter. In fact, independent laboratory tests confirmed that knock-off filters reduced factory specified airflow by 41 percent.

Consequently, installing filters in your IQAir system that aren’t manufactured by IQAir automatically voids your limited warranty. This means that you’re no longer covered for any repairs or replacements that may have resulted from manufacturer defects.

Knockoff IQAir filters also may not filter particles, gases, and odors at the high level guaranteed by genuine IQAir filters.

Every IQAir system is individually tested before shipment to ensure a minimum efficiency of 99.5 percent of particles down to 0.003 microns, 100 times smaller than 0.3 microns that HEPA filters are tested for. Individual test results are included in every package to confirm the high efficiency of your system.

Knockoff filters don’t undergo these stringent testing standards. There’s no way to know the exact efficiency of one of these filters because they’ve likely never been tested, and the filtration material may be made of a completely different substance than our genuine HyperHEPA filters.

Many knockoff filters are also not properly sealed to prevent leakage of unfiltered air around the filter. The 3D UltraSeal design used in every genuine IQAir filter helps ensure that no air passes around the filter, maintaining a high long-term total system efficiency as close to 99.5 percent as possible throughout the life of the filter.

Also, because the filtration materials in knockoff filters may be less dense, air is pushed through more quickly because of less air resistance. IQAir system motors are designed to push air through the system at six different fan speeds taking the HyperHEPA material density into account.

Ultimately, it’s much more cost-effective to go with genuine IQAir replacement filters.

The takeaway

Although IQAir air purifiers are high-performance air purifiers, replacement filters are relatively inexpensive given their filter life intervals and their stable filtration efficiencies over a period of years.

Filter life and filter costs vary with use and with pollution levels, so filter replacement intervals may vary.

Check the quality of your filters and replace them when the lights on your system turn red for best results when it comes to filter life and energy costs.