iWave-R Air Purifier Model 4900-20 Cold Plasma Generator

Several recent threads here on HVAC filtration have mentioned cold plasma generators to address indoor air quality.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8222780&postcount=6
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6788514&postcount=3

Milton seems to have good experience with a Phenomenal Air brand unit and has recommended it on several threads.

The 4 of us in the home have all been sick this winter with congestion, ear infections, sinus infections, etc. So, I purchased an iWave-R Air Purifier Model 4900-20.
http://www.nucalgon.com/products/iaq/iWave-R

The iWave units seem to be much more readily available than the Phenomenal Air brand. Not sure if these are snake oil or the holy grail..

Installation was straight forward. I have an upflow heat pump so I installed it on the return prior to the coil and after the last filter as per the directions. I chose to mount it on the exterior so I can see the power light. There are brown wires for connection to a remote indicator lamp which I did not need as the power light is visible with my mounting arrangement.

I would have preferred that the unit had terminals for direct wiring vs flexible wire leads that are permanently attached. Input voltage can be 24VAC to 240VAC. I chose 120VAC and the unit runs 24/7 with the way I wired it (a recommended method vs fan interlocked). We run our fan 24/7 anyway. I don't like how the 120V wires are exposed but it is what it is.

Time will tell if this thing does anything more than lighten my wallet by ~$400.....

"Cold Plasma" is just a made up marketing word.

It's just a negative ion/ozone generator. Negative ions don't "destroy" anything, they can cause some particles to clump together and fall to the floor. If the unit is powerful enough, it will create ozone that does destroy viruses, odors, bacteria etc... and will make your house smell fresh.

...except that ozone concentrations that high are bad for human health as well.

Running your fan 24/7 is probably what's making all of you sick.

American Locomotive said:

"Cold Plasma" is just a made up marketing word.

It's just a negative ion/ozone generator. Negative ions don't "destroy" anything, they can cause some particles to clump together and fall to the floor. If the unit is powerful enough, it will create ozone that does destroy viruses, odors, bacteria etc... and will make your house smell fresh.

...except that ozone concentrations that high are bad for human health as well.

Running your fan 24/7 is probably what's making all of you sick.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the feed back.

We’ve been married 31 years and all 5 homes we’ve run the fan 24/7. Health not been an issue in years prior so doubt the fan operation is suddenly the culprit. Been in this home 6 years now.

Claims to be a non-ozone device.

Verdict still out whether holy grail or snake oil. I do know it was $400 for a small gizmo.

Anyone else out there with these?

Any update on this...I was considering getting one for similar reasons.

From their website;

With technology installed in over 100,000 applications, iWave-R is the world’s first self-cleaning, no maintenance needlepoint bi-polar ionization generator designed specifically for treating air in residential duct A/C systems.

drusier said:

Any update on this...I was considering getting one for similar reasons.

Click to expand...

Honestly I can't say one way or the other if this gizmo is achieving results.

I am still dealing with head congestion as is my wife. I've been on 4 courses of antibiotics, 2 courses of steroids, at least 4 trips to the family doctor and one to an ENT. Given up and just trudging thru.

I do know the light is on and my wallet is lighter. Monthly air filter check is this weekend so will see if they have "loaded up" more than the previous filter use intervals.

930dreamer said:

From their website;

With technology installed in over 100,000 applications, iWave-R is the world’s first self-cleaning, no maintenance needlepoint bi-polar ionization generator designed specifically for treating air in residential duct A/C systems.

Click to expand...

And also from their website https://www.iwaveair.com/
iWave’s technology generates the same ions that nature creates with lightening, waterfalls, ocean waves, etc. Nature uses energy and shear to break apart molecules, naturally cleaning the air and producing a healthy environment. The only difference between the iWave’s technology and nature is that the iWave does it without developing harmful ozone.

I know I do not smell ozone in the home, but this could be because its below the threshold of detection or my congestion has rendered sense of smell kaput. In one of my previous homes, I had an electronic air cleaner (zapper kind) and you could really smell it.

Thanks so much for following up. I'm still on the fence, maybe once I get my house paid off this summer. I hate products like this that are hard to quantify.

American Locomotive said:

"Cold Plasma" is just a made up marketing word.

It's just a negative ion/ozone generator. Negative ions don't "destroy" anything, they can cause some particles to clump together and fall to the floor. If the unit is powerful enough, it will create ozone that does destroy viruses, odors, bacteria etc... and will make your house smell fresh.

...except that ozone concentrations that high are bad for human health as well.

Running your fan 24/7 is probably what's making all of you sick.

Click to expand...

X2. It's just a fancy new take on the old "bug zapper" electronic air filters.

No way in hell it's not making O3 if it's the same as "lightening". I'm also not trusting any statement from a company that can't spell "lightning".

Tommy