Dr. Caboodle Air Purifiers
Fumex, parent company of the Dr. Caboodle brand, makes industrial strength air purification units that integrate into existing HVAC systems. The units use multiple filtration systems including anti-microbial filters, activated carbon, and HEPA filters. Since HEPA filters cannot be used to filter 100% of the air in an HVAC unit due to high air resistance, the Caboodle units pull off 1/3 of the air and run it through the HEPA filter. The advantage the units have is the ability to cycle the air in a home up to 25 times in a day. However, this must take into account the ability of the HVAC unit to pull in 100% of the air in a home which is doubtful.
Dr. Caboodle Models
| Dr. Caboodle Air Purifier | Ratings | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Price – $1645 | Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?Smoke – NA / 450Pollen – NA / 450Dust – NA / 450Consumer Reports ?Score – NA / 100Dust/Pollen/Smoke (High Setting) – NA / 5Est. Yearly Cost – NA | Room Size ? : 2000 Sq. FtCirculation ? : NAFilter Type ? : Anti-Microbial Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter & Activated Carbon Filter w/ UV-C Germicidal LampFilter Life Est. ? : 3-12 MonthsSize: 27″H x 16″W x 15.8″DWeight: 70 lbsNoise Level: NAEnergy Star? ? : No |
| Dr. Caboodle Legacy Air Purifier | Ratings | Technical Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Est. Price – NA | Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) ?Smoke – NA / 450Pollen – NA / 450Dust – NA / 450Consumer Reports ?Score – NA / 100Dust/Pollen/Smoke (High Setting) – NA / 5Est. Yearly Cost – NA | Room Size ? : 2000 Sq. FtCirculation ? : NAFilter Type ? : Anti-Microbial Pre-Filter, HEPA Filter & Activated Carbon FilterFilter Life Est. ? : 3-12 MonthsSize: 27″H x 16″W x 15.8″DWeight: 70 lbsNoise Level: NAEnergy Star? ? : No |
| Air Purifier Noise Chart – Decibel Ratings of Common Sounds | |
|---|---|
| Source | Decibel Rating (dB) |
| Falling leaves | 0-10 |
| Whisper | 10-20 |
| Soft music | 20-30 |
| Mosquito buzz | 40-50 |
| Normal voices | 50-70 |
| Traffic sounds | 70-80 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 80-90 |
| Thunder | 90-100 |
| Chain saw | 110-120 |
| Rock concert | 120-130 |
| Pain threshold (jet take off) | 130-140 |
| Perforation of ear drum (gun shot) | 160 and higher |
Dr. Caboodle Company Information
Dr. Caboodle is the brand name of a series of air purifiers manufactured by Fumex Inc, a company that has been in existence since 1980. Dr. Caboodle air purifiers are manufactured in Kennesaw, Georgia and are mostly composed of components made in America. These air purifiers started out as equipment for the industrial environments of high tech industries, and eventually the company modified them for home use as well. Many well known companies such as Coca-Cola, General Electric, Motorola and Nestle purchase Dr. Caboodle air purifiers for use in industrial settings.
Dr. Caboodle Air Purifier Price Range
Fumex Inc. claims that their furnace-type air purifiers are cheaper than others on the market because they are sold directly to the public, thus eliminating the need for distributors and retailers to up the price. That said, Dr. Caboodle products are in the upper price range of air purifiers, available for around $1,500 or more.
Air Purification Technology
Even if your home looks clean, there are still microscopic pollutants floating around in the air. Ninety percent of the particles in the air are less than 2.0 microns in size and the only way to remove them is to use a HEPA filter that is designed to capture particles that are .3 microns or larger. Dr. Caboodle air purifiers have a pre-filter as well in order to extend the life of the HEPA filter by trapping larger particles and not allowing them to clog up the HEPA filter.
The carbon filter is designed to eliminate gases and odors, while the UV-C Lamp gets rid of bacteria and viruses. The UV-C Lamp works by emitting ultraviolet rays calibrated to destroy and sterilize any bacteria, viruses or mold that may be floating around. On average, the HEPA filter and UV-C Lamp will need to be replaced once a year while the pre-filter and charcoal filter need to be replaced every 3-6 months.
Dr. Caboodle Air Purifiers Made For HVAC Systems
Dr. Caboodle air purifiers are designed to be connected to any HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system that utilizes ductwork without interfering with the operation of the air conditioner or heater. The company claims that the air purifiers are easy and cheap to install, and that any homeowner or handyman can install them within 30 minutes or less. The company also states that since a Dr. Caboodle unit only uses the same amount of electricity as a 150-watt light bulb, the electricity bill should not be noticeably higher.
A Dr. Caboodle air purifier works in conjunction with the HVAC system it is plugged into. Utilizing the air flow of the heater or air conditioner, it takes in about one-third of the system air, purifies it and releases it back into the system to be released into the house. During an average day in a home no larger than 20,000 square feet, the Dr. Caboodle unit should recycle the air more than 25 times. The company claims that since a Dr. Caboodle unit can remove up to 99.97 percent of all dust in the air, after using one of their air purifiers for a week or so many homeowners find that they do not have visible dust on surfaces anymore.
Dr. Caboodle Air Purifier Models
- Dr. Caboodle (uses Anti-Microbial Pre-filter, HEPA Filter, Activated Carbon Filter and UV-C Germicidal Lamp)
- Dr. Caboodle Legacy (uses Anti-Microbial Pre-filter, HEPA Filter and Activated Carbon Filter)
