Frequently Asked Questions

How long do air purifier filters last?

Filter lifespan can vary depending on your environment, but typically:

Stage 1 - Technostat Pre-filter. 3-6 months with continuous use.
Designed to remove ambient fine dust particles from the air and increase the lifespan of the HEPA and Activated Carbon filters.

Stage 2 - Medical-grade HEPA Filter. 3-5 years with continuous use.
The HEPA filter removes viruses, bacteria, mold spores, allergens, pollen, and dust mites.

Stage 3 - Activated Carbon Filter. 1-3 years with continuous use.
This filter removes chemical pollutants, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), smoke, road pollution, and odors.

How do I know when to change the air purifier filters?

Depending on the model and filter configuration, your system will have 2 or 3 filters.

Stage 1 - Technostat Pre-filter.
On average, the pre-filter is designed to last up to 6 months of continuous use. Dust levels in the ambient air will affect how long the pre-filter will last. It is impossible to predict the exact lifespan because that depends on how it is used. Pre-filters are white and will turn grey quickly within 1-2 weeks. This is nothing to be concerned about and means the filter is doing its job. After months of use, a dust layer will build up on the exterior of the pre-filter. We recommend checking the dust build-up on the pre-filter every 3 months of use. The filter should be replaced when the dust layer is approximately 2 mm thick.

Stage 2 - Medical-grade HEPA filter.
The H13 HEPA filter is designed to last 3 to 5 years under normal use. Like other filters, the environment in which it is used will determine its filter life.
The outside of the HEPA filter will change color and turn grey when it needs changing. Generally, for the first two years of use, the filter will remain white and gradually get darker in the final months of its life. Note that the inside of the HEPA filter will always remain white, so it is important to check the outside of the filter, which is visible when the pre-filter is being changed.

Stage 3 - Activated carbon wrap filter. (Excluded in V series systems)
The E7-impregnated carbon wrap-around filter is designed for light-duty use and will last approx. 6-12 months.

All other models utilize granular activated carbon (GAC) filters, which contain kilograms of carbon and have a 1-3-year life, depending on use.

Activated carbon filters work by adsorbing chemicals, gases, and odors from the air. The more activated carbon in the filter, the better it will purify the air due to a larger surface area; it will also last longer. For example, a 6 kg activated carbon filter will last three times as long as a 2 kg filter and remove three times the amount of pollutants from the air during its life. Activated carbon filters are like large sponges with an extraordinarily large surface area.

Carbon filters should be changed when saturated, which means they have entirely filled up with whatever they have filtered from the air during use. You can tell when a carbon filter needs changing because the air purifier will either be tainted with an odor of what it has adsorbed during use, or the air will stop smelling clean or smell stale.

Air purified through a carbon filter has a distinct, clean smell void of all odors except for a slight sweet smell from the activated carbon. Most people describe the carbon as having a “fresh smell.”

How much power will my air purifier consume?

INOVA systems use high-efficiency motors that consume little energy, starting at a very low 6 watts/hour.

For further information, please refer to the specification table on each INOVA product page.

What is the best air purifier for mold?

For mold removal, you would want a system with a medical-grade HEPA filter and high-capacity activated carbon, using kilograms of activated carbon. Mold is an issue that involves both the mold spore and volatile organic compounds produced by the mold (musty odors).

For a bedroom-sized space, we suggest the INOVA E8 with a 2.4kg activated carbon filter, or for a larger living space, the INOVA E20 or DE20, each including a 6kg activated carbon filter. More information can be found here.

How noisy are INOVA air purifiers?

INOVA systems are constructed from powder-coated aluminum, which reduces the vibration noise often found in cheap plastic models. System noise ranges from a whisper-quiet 32db to 58db on higher fan speeds. We use near-silent motors, resulting in airflow noise only, making our systems suitable for use in a bedroom at night.

What is the lifespan of a carbon filter?

How long an activated carbon filter lasts depends greatly on the environment where the air purifier is used and the level of chemicals, odors, and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) it is exposed to during operation.

Carbon filters have a large surface area, which means they have a very high absorption capacity. When the levels of pollutants are high, the filter can become saturated quickly, reducing its efficiency and lifespan.

Here are some of the conditions that can shorten the lifespan of an activated carbon filter in an air purifier:

1. Indoor sources

• Newly built or renovated home
• New furniture
• New carpet, rug, flooring
• New paint
• Gas stoves\cookers
• Leaky subfloors with poor ventilation
• Mold

2. Outdoor sources (enters through doors, windows, and ventilation)

• Main road pollution
• Construction sites
• Bushfire smoke

3. Lifestyle

• Cooking odors * If cooking smells don't bother you, we suggest switching the air purifier off when cooking to extend the life of the activated carbon filter.
• Aerosol sprays; air fresheners
• Cigarette smoke, incense, or candles
• Cleaning products
• Products that emit fragrances, such as some cleaners, disinfectants, or room deodorizers
• Any product that creates ozone

4. Environmental

• High humidity levels—High humidity levels can increase the amount of moisture the filter absorbs, reducing lifespan.

To ensure that the filter is working at maximum effectiveness, it is important to be mindful of conditions that can reduce its lifespan and to maintain and replace the filter properly when necessary.

A saturated filter means it has done its intended job and removed chemicals and odors from the air it has passed through.