The Healthy Fan is a three-part system consisting of a ceiling fan, germ-killing UV-C light, and a washable electrostatic filter. The UV-C light and Dust Grabber filter are housed in a single unit called the "Air Purifying Medallion". If you already have a ceiling fan, the Medallion can be retrofitted to an existing fan to complete the system.

 

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First, I would highly recommend hiring a licensed electrician for the installation of this product. The manufacturer suggests this and while it is possible to install it yourself, I believe for safety reasons it would not be prudent to try and attempt the installation yourself.

That said I did hire an electrician and paid approximately $65 @ $50/hr rate. He told me that the instructions were well done and easy to follow. Of note here I could have saved time by unwrapping all the packaging and having the contents ready to install, so if you are hiring an electrician you may want to do so prior to their arrival.

He installed the fan in a 12’ x 18’ dining room. The Air Purifying Medallion with UV-C light and filter was turned on June 1, 2009. The Healthy Fan system was turned on during waking hours between 9am and 9pm for an entire month. The basic circulation of the fan itself was superior to the fan we had previously installed in the room.

One of the noticeable differences between the time prior to the installation and after a month in use, was the lack of visible dust on the dining room table. Prior to installation, the table needed to be dusted every 3-4 days whereas after the installation the table needed minimal cleaning. We can only assume that the Dust Grabber was working as a result of seeing the lack of dust after a month in use. 

Of note here is that the Dust Grabber is reusable. Once the Dust Grabber filter is removed (you can do this without the assistance of an electrician) the filter can be cleaned by rinsing, allowed to dry, and replaced into the Medallion.

 

We were not able to test for germ-reduction, but the unit claims it "kills 99% of germs present in the air it filters" and UV-C light under the right conditions is known to be effective as a sanitizer of air and surfaces. The UV-C bulb is rated to last up to 8,000 hours and a replacement bulb is $14.95 as of this writing.

 

There are different configurations of the Healthy Fan depending on the size of the room you wish to use it in as well as whether you want to include a light or mount it on an existing fan. Fans come in various sizes, with and without lights, or you can buy just the Medallions themselves.

If you already own a ceiling fan, you could opt to buy the Medallion and then install that to your ceiling fan. Again, consult a licensed electrician to make sure that your ceiling fan will comply with the standards to insert the Medallion and to assist with the installation process. You can also contact the manufacturer to ask if your ceiling fan will work with the Healthy Fan Medallion.

 

My only issue with this system is in the price. The quality of the product is very good however, in the current climate of our economy many families might have a tough time coming up with the cash to purchase the entire system. Prices range from $149 (Medallion alone) to $295 (complete system - 52-inch fan with light and Medallion).

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Diana Forbes, a.k.a. Gadget Grrl™, loves sharing the latest and greatest technology with consumers. Her "Gadget Grrl" column runs both online and in print with a circulation of 3 million readers. She appears on national and local television shows featuring live demos of the latest trends in consumer products. For more information, visit Gadget Grrl.