The Gen XY Lifestyle

Keep the Air Free from Haze and Mosquitoes

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If you’ve been hesitating about buying an air filter because you think that it’s not going to be useful all year round, then Sharp’s latest may change your mind with its most useful feature – the ability to trap pesky mosquitoes.

Sharp’s solution is a world first: it is the world’s first air filter that also gets rid of airborne scourges such as flies, but it’s especially effective against mosquitoes – a potential godsend now that mosquito season is round the corner. Designed based on a study done with the Institute for Medical Research in Malaysia, they found that their technique was able to reduce house mosquito population by up to 91%, Aedes mosquitoes by up to 73%, and up to 73% of houseflies.

How does it work? Basically, mosquitoes are attracted to UV light and the colour black. The Sharp FP-FM40 deliberately uses small air inlets, which appeals to mosquitoes as a hiding place. When used in combination, the mosquito is drawn close, and powerful airflow and suction pulls the mosquito into the machine and it gets stuck onto a glue sheet inside; a simple and effective process that doesn’t involve any chemicals, so it’s suitable for children’s rooms as well.

The only downside is that there’s an extra filter for you to take care of. Each filter sheet has three layers, and Sharp rates each layer to last a month. You peel off the layer once it has been filled up with insects. Sharp’s representatives, although, have said that the rating is conservative, and each sticky sheet can potentially last up to six months, as the adhesive lasts fairly long. If the sheet isn’t filled to the brim with mosquitoes, each layer can be stretched beyond its one month expectation. Glue sheets are sold at S$19 per pack, which contains one sheet (three layers). The FP-FM40E-B comes with two packs of sheets, which can last you anytime from six mouths to a year.

The Sharp FP-FM40E-B is equipped to deal with PM2.5 particles and can handle room sizes of up to 30 meters squared, and it also has a mode designed specially for our region – a ‘haze mode’ – which is programmed to be more intense and starts off in maximum airflow mode for ten minutes then alternates between high and low. It first removes removes static electricity to ease dust collection, and subsequently collects dust and air through a pre-filter, deodorisation filter, then HEPA filter (the HEPA filter is rated to last two years). This air purifier also carries Sharp’s signature Plasmacluster technology, which sanitises the air in your room by emitting positive and negative ions to neutralise airborne mould, viruses, and allergens.

You can get the Sharp FP-FM40E-B from all Gain City outlets for S$459.

Alternatives?

Not quite up your alley? Here are some alternatives.

Philips AC4014/02
Philips AC4014Has a smart sensor that can measure and control indoor air quality, and warns you when to it’s almost time to replace the filter. It also has a additional timer and fan speed control. Its filter system takes out all manner of dust and fine particles and is capable of neutralising Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as well. S$519

LG PS-S209
LG PS-S209WCIf you just need something for a small room, then LG’s PS-S209 will suffice. It is a basic air filter that will handle up to 21 square meters of space, and will not only trap dust and fine particles, it will sterilise the air and also remove bacteria. S$299

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