FAQs
VAPORLUX FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is a UL Listing and why should I care?
A: The UL Mark is one of the most recognized and trusted symbols in the world of manufactured goods. The UL Mark stands for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization formed in 1894 to help reduce injury, loss of life and property damage. UL scientifically investigates and tests thousands of types of products, to evaluate electric, fire and casualty hazards, among other things. UL's third party, not-for-profit, independent status allows it to be unbiased in determining whether or not a product meets recognized safety standards. Manufacturers submit products to UL for testing and safety certification on a voluntary basis. Safety-conscious and concerned consumers look for the UL Mark.
Q: Almost everyone is offering lifetime boiler warranties, what is so different about yours?
A: VaporLux® started the "Lifetime Boiler Warranty" to demonstrate the superiority of our boilers. To date, VaporLux® has never experienced a single boiler failure. Our boilers are tested to 700 PSI, yet operate at 80 PSI. Our boilers are built of 18/10 stainless steel and conform to ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) standards, which is the entity that sets the boiler code for North America. This ASME Standard also dictates the shape of the boiler, which is a spherical/ cylindrical shape.
VaporLux performs all warranties, services and repairs at our Michigan headquarters. We have certified technicians that perform all service and we have 100% parts availability, 100% of the time. In most cases, turnaround time is a couple days rather than weeks or months. Every mechanical or electrical device ever manufactured will experience a problem sooner or later, it is what happens after the problem occurs that matters. The product is as good as the company that sold it and VaporLux® is the best around.
Q: Do I want a "Continuous Fill" vapor machine?
A: Many resellers are currently touting a feature called "continuous fill". This term means that an auxiliary water compartment and electrically powered pump have been added to the equipment so that the user never runs out of water and the user can continue cleaning, without stopping.
We believe it is actually better suited to home and office use than commercial because cold water is being introduced, resulting in a lower temperature, which is less effective at killing bacteria. Vapor technology produces the best result when operated within certain temperature parameters. In fact, the boiler can never achieve optimum temperature.
So, "Continuous Fill" is a misnomer. The implication is that the operator never needs to add water. The fact is that water has to be poured into the auxiliary water reservoir.
VaporLux® prefers to employ extremely high quality equipment designed for the rigors of heavy duty commercial applications and that operate at optimum cleaning temperatures the entire time it is operated.
Q: Is boiler design important?
A: The boiler is the major component in a vapor machine. The performance of the machine is wholly reliant on performance of the boiler. If the boiler design is inefficient, performance will be substandard and the boiler will never achieve optimum temperature. A rectangular boiler will develop eight cold spots (four on top and four on the bottom) and preferred temperatures are not achieved. If a boiler is too small cleaning time is decreased. Boilers in VaporLux® machines are spherical/cylindrical in shape, water circulates freely, there are no cold spots and so our boilers operate at desired temperature for vapor cleaning technology to be most effective.
Q: Who honors the warranty and who does the warranty repairs?
A: VaporLux® performs all warranty work utilizing its own certified technicians. VaporLux® can repair and even refurbish all VaporLux® machines. Because warranty claims are so few turnaround time is minimal, usually only a few days.
Q: Do you have product liability insurance?
A: Yes, VaporLux® and its wholly owned subsidiaries purchase insurance for public and products liability exclusively from insurers that have an A.M. Best Company financial rating of "A" or higher. A.M Best is the leading source of financial ratings of insurance companies.
Q: Is VaporLux® just a reseller?
A: No. VaporLux® warehouses all of our own equipment, accessories and parts. Unlike some resellers, and we have our own shipping, parts and service departments. Also, unlike some resellers, we have maximum input over quality control, design improvements and technology updates. When a machine comes to VaporLux® for warranty service, we will retrofit that equipment with the latest technology improvements when practical. We never have to settle for selling equipment that is not up to our standard just because that is what the manufacturer shipped.
Q: What is your Return Policy?
A: We want you to be completely satisfied with the unsurpassed cleaning ability of your new VaporLux Equipment. If you are not satisfied with your VaporLux you may return it for refund within seven (7) days of receipt of the equipment. This refund does not apply for application uses that are not advertised or intended by VaporLux. All Equipment must be returned to: VaporLux Inc., 15701 Martin Road Roseville, Michigan 48066.
Prior to shipping your machine to VaporLux for a refund, you must obtain a Return Authorization Number from VaporLux by calling (586) 775-2429. Please download the form Return & Repair Authorization form here and fill out. Then include it in the package.
Please ship to:
VAPORLUX, Inc.
23210 Greater Mack Avenue
Suite 227
St. Clair Shores, MI 48080
Phone: (586) 775-2429
Toll Free: (800) 467-6229
Original shipping expenses will not be refunded. Return shipping will not be paid for by VaporLux.
The unit must be received by VaporLux within 14 days of the date that you received your VaporLux machine. The unit must be received by VaporLux in "as new" resalable condition. All original packaging must be intact including all parts, manual and instruction card. The machine, cart, all brushes, accessories and extension cord must be returned in "as new" condition to receive a full refund within the 7 day period. If brushes, cart, machine or accessories are in used condition upon return to VaporLux, the replacement price of those items will be deducted from your refund.
Units that have filteration or extraction systems cannot be returned because VaporLux can not verify where these units have been operated and what environment they have been exposed to. And so these units could possibly pose a serious health hazard to those who come in contact with them. VaporLux reserves the right to assess replacement, handling and restocking fees as it sees fit if all of the above conditions are not met.
Q: What are your shipping rates?
A: $10 for accessories and $50 each for steam cleaners for the contiguous United States. All other regions please contact Vaporlux for shipping fees.
Q: Is the vapor cleaning process just for deep cleaning?
A: Vapor cleaning is the most effective technology for deep cleaning. But it is in surface restoration and detail cleaning, general purpose and normal maintenance cleaning is where the technology really shines. This technology cleans the tough built up grease and grime better than any other technology. Imagine one-step, no touch cleaning without the use of any chemicals. Imagine complete hypoallergenic cleaning without the use of disinfectants.
Q: Why would we use a VaporLux® for weekly maintenance?
A: The short and simple answer is that it saves money, a lot of it! Soaps and detergents can never be completely removed from a surface using conventional cleaning methods. Because they cannot be completely removed, and chemicals and detergents build up over a period of years. Chemical leave a film and that film causes more dirt and grime to adhere to the surface, causing the surface to look old and dingy. VaporLux® works the contrary of conventional cleaning methods: the more you clean with it, the cleaner the surface gets. Chemicals are expensive, representing a good portion of your maintenance budget and that's another reason for cleaning with VaporLux®. The cleaner your facility, the higher the customer and employee comfort level is. Customers also report that absenteeism is reduced and people are generally more productive, because the cleaning is hypoallergenic.
Q: Why is the quality of tools and attachments important?
A: Very simply: performance and longevity. This is the business end of the machine, "where the rubber meets the road", so to speak. The attachments that VaporLux® produces and sells to you are just as high quality as the machines we produce. We have heard of attachments sold elsewhere that actually melted!
Q: What is the optimum temperature for this technology?
A: The optimum temperatures of operation are 260° to 300° at the tool tip. Anything over 300° and some surfaces will scorch or mark. Anything less than 260° and cleaning efficacy is markedly degraded. For every 18° of temperature increase, cleaning ability is increased 100%. VaporLux® equipment operates at 280° to 295° at the tip, this is the exact optimum temperature for this technology.
Q: Would a bigger machine clean better?
A: The answer is no it wouldn't. Larger 220, 440 and 880 volt machines are produced for industrial applications which require more vapor volume, but because they operate at the same temperatures as 110 volt machines, cleaning results are the same. The amount of vapor required to clean is regulated by the attachment used, if you use more volume than the attachment requires, the cleaning process is not as effective.
Q: Does VaporLux® have a retail store?
A: VaporLux® does not have a retail store, but we do have office and warehouse facilities and customers are encouraged to come in by appointment to view and experience our products and how easy it is to work them, immediately.
Q: Can I get a discount on VaporLux® products?
A: No and yes, let us explain: all VaporLux® machines are fair trade items and priced the same, no matter where they are purchased. But we discount bulk orders.