Q&A with Dyson's Paul Dawson on the new Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link

The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link builds upon our previous models by adding a third functionality – air purification. The machine captures gases and traps allergens and pollutants in the air in our patented 360° HEPA Filter - Paul Dawson

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Dyson is world-famous for innovation in engineering and product design. At the core of the company are a lot of smart people aiming to solve very hard problems. The company is already the leading name in vacuum technologies and products, it has recently made an impact in household robotics with the Dyson 360 Eye and now it has taken its popular Dyson Hot + Cool line of fans/heaters and added a class-leading air purifier that filters impurities and allergens in the air while it provide the heating and cooling function.

We spoke to Dyson's Paul Dawson, whis is Global Product Development Director, Environmental Control to find out more about the importance of air purification and how the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link reduces indoor pollutants.

Dawson joined Dyson in 2000 became the Global Product Development Director in Dyson. Since then, he is responsible for the development of a portfolio of Environmental Control products from early concept definition through the detailed design stages, optimized for manufacturing and then into production.

Under Paul’s charge, Dyson has expanded into categories including air purification and air humidification, as well as Dyson’s first ever connected technology for China – the Dyson Pure Cool Link purifying fan. Below is our Q&A with Dawson.

Is the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link the first purifier from Dyson?

PD: We’ve been in the business of clean for 25 years. It started with vacuum cleaners and in 2015 we launched our first air purifier – the Dyson Pure Cool. The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link is the latest evolution in our environmental control category. Combining Dyson’s proprietary Air Multiplier technology with a heating element and a HEPA filter, it’s our first connected purifier that combines three functions: a heater, personal cool fan and an air purifier.

Dyson usually creates products as solutions to hard to solve problems. What was the impetus behind making Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link?

Dyson's Paaul Dawson: "Global air quality is clearly a problem. The World Health Organization has deemed it to be one of the highest threats facing public health today. "PD: Global air quality is clearly a problem. The World Health Organization has deemed it to be one of the highest threats facing public health today. But air pollution outside is only one side of the problem. According to the EPA, the air inside can be up to five times worse than outside, which can impact our respiratory health throughout the year particularly for those who suffer from allergies and asthmas.

At Dyson we are committed to improving the lives our owners. Drawing on our expertise from a number of disciplines – fluid dynamics, filtration systems, software, and so on – we have been able to develop a highly effective air purifier to help combat indoor air pollution. 

The Dyson fans/heaters are already renowned for being great at what they do. What does the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link add to the equation?

PD: The Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link builds upon our previous models by adding a third functionality – air purification. The machine captures gases and traps allergens and pollutants in the air in our patented 360° HEPA Filter.

Adding to that equation is the Dyson Link App. The world is becoming increasingly intelligent and connected and at Dyson we are bringing together hardware and software. The air purifier is equipped with smart sensors that automatically monitor its surroundings, detecting particles in the air and trapping them before reporting the results back to the App. Our owners are able to monitor their indoor air quality and become more aware of what is happening within their home.

What do Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link owners have to do to clean and maintain the filter? Are there parts that need to be cleaned or replaced?

PD: The HEPA filter is engineered and tested to last 4,382 hours at optimal performance – which is one year based on 12 hours of use each day. When the filter is nearing the end of its life, the machine will warn the owner both through the Dyson Link App and directly on the machine.

And replacing the filter on the machine is easy – simply press a button to detach the old filter and slide a new one into place.

Tell us about the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link companion app, why is this integral to the solution.

PD: Allergens, pollen, mould, pet dander, toxic fumes – these are all common indoor air pollutants. The problem is these particles are mostly invisible to the human eye. But they are there, all around us. The Dyson Link app plays an integral role in making the invisible, visible. The app gives owners the ability to access air quality data on their home, while also viewing live outdoor air quality.  They’re able to quickly view air quality history, which allows them to monitor peak pollution times, for example when they’re cooking, cleaning or during allergy seasons.

What innovations and inventions went into making the Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link?

PD: At Dyson we are constantly improving our technologies. With the latest Dyson Pure Hot+Cool Link we’ve improved the filter to trap gases and even more ultrafine particles. The HEPA media filter is made from constructed borosilicate microfibres. This tightly woven construct of microfibres mean it’s able to capture the smallest of particles, down to 0.3 microns.

However, a HEPA filter alone won’t trap volatile organic compounds, such as fumes, smoke or odours. We’ve added a layer of activated carbon granules, which have been further engineered to have a denser layer of carbon crystals. The crystals have then been treated with oxygen and a compound called Tris, which makes the carbon more porous. This organic compound’s chemical reaction with potentially harmful gases, like formaldehyde and benzene, increases the carbon’s ability to capture gases by as much as 70 per cent.

What are the unique challenges of designing a purifier of this size, it really isn’t much bigger than your standard Hot+Cool solution.

PD: Some conventional purifiers are big and bulky, relying on AC motors and large space-hungry filters to purify the air. And these filters are often made from big, non-woven filaments that can allow ultrafine particles to escape between the fibres and back into the air.

Our engineers have considered every aspect of the machine. We’ve packed a ton of technology into a small footprint. Our purifiers use a high-efficiency 360° HEPA filter pleated 333 times. This allows us to effectively wrap the filter around the machine’s base without wasting space, helping to maintain its form without comprising on function. And because it’s a three-in-one machine you can purify all year and use the fan or heater as needed.