FAQ - General

Can you explain about Coway?
Coway is the leading well-being household electronics manufacturer in Korea. The company's products include air purifiers, water filtration devices, megasonic cleaning device(not available yet in M'sia) and digital bidet. The company achieved $1.1 billion in revenue in 2006, representing a a16 percent increase from the year before.

What are Coway's major products?
Our products include air purifier, water filtration devices, digital bidet and other and home appliances (not available yet in M'sia) such as megasonic cleaning device and water softeners.


Water Purifier

Why do we need Water filtration device?
The three factors essential for human beings to live are sunlight, air and water, and among them, water is the source of life. The tap water we drink is transported through old pipes, coming from the purification plants to our homes, and in the process, the clean water becomes contaminated.

Most of the people try to remove the bacteria by boiling the water, but heavy metals, carcinogenic substances and other contaminating sources still remain in the water, as well as the chlorine odor. Coway preserves the health of the family by removing such factors, and provides opportunities to drink clean and safe water conveniently at home.


What is the key technology?
By using the RO membrane filter technology, with 0.0001 micron size of pores, we secured the technical ability to remove not only heavy metal but also virus, and completed the development of a low pressure RO membrane filter that can be used without booster pumps, and a direct current RO membrane filter with 700GPD of water purification capacity.


Why is Coway Water filtration device?
Water purification system
We have a safe purification system through a six layer filter, and the product’s stability has been proved through the NSF and WQA certification.
• Sediment filter; Removing dust, rust remnants, and various suspended particles
• Pre carbon filter; Removing chemical substances such as carcinogenic materials, synthetic detergent and pesticides.
• RO membrane filter; Removing heavy metal such as lead or arsenic,
natrium, bacteria, virus and radioactive substances
• Post carbon filter; Removing unpleasant odor, taste and coloring
• Fine and ceramic filter; preventing secondary contamination in the tank and removing the carbon dust
Functional factors
• Provision of cold and warm water, including night time energy saving function
• Securing various purification capacities, and products for different size and installation location
• Set amount extraction function, night time extraction part lighting function
• Living use water saving system, auto flushing function
• Securing direct currently type RO membrane technology, with over 90% of TDS removal rate
Design factors
Awarded one of the three greatest design award, RED
DOT award (CHP-06DL)


What benefits do people get when they use a water filtration device?
Water filtration device provides Pure and Healthy Water for Every Purpose. And filtering water is far more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly than purchasing plastic bottled drinking water.


A/S is available? Where could I find service?
Yes, from ou DSC in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur or our ASC throughout Malaysia.


Please explain Coway’s filtration system
Basically, Coway’s water filter system uses six integrated filters to remove impurities effectively. The system includes Coway’s two unique filters, fine filter and ceramic filter as well as RO membrane filter and also have Duplex carbon-block filter. This system can thoroughly remove VOCs, pesticide, heavy metals and microorganisms.


How is Coway’s filter system different from others?
Coway’s post-carbon filter has silver activated carbon to prevent microorganisms. Also ceramic filter also prevents secondary contamination, so it can filter out more impurities and provide cleaner water to users.


Is your water tank safe from secondary contamination?
Coway’s water filtration device has a ceramic filter in the tank. It can keep filtered water clean and prevent secondary contamination. Ceramic filter can restrain propagation of the microorganism inside water tank and enhances sanitation. We also adopt HEPA grade air filter to prevent secondary contamination.


What is RO Membrane? Can you explain about “RO Membrane”?
(Function and operating principle)
R/O is a technical breakthrough initially developed by the U.S. government to provide fresh drinking water for the Navy. The Reverse Osmosis process uses waterline pressure to push raw tap water against a special semi-permeable membrane. In this sophisticated molecular squeezing process, H20 molecules tend to separate from the contaminants in your tap water. The water molecules then pass thru to the inside of the membrane, and on to the reservoir - ready for your fresh daily use. The rejected particles and contaminants are washed from the membrane and down the drain.


Is it clearer than bottle water? Which one is better?
Bottled water can cause serious pollution because it is produce in underground water. Most underground water has been exposed on pollution source. Bottles water is dosing the 1st processing such as filtration and UV treatment.


The taste of water is different from its initial taste. Why?
Coway’s RO membrane filter can make pure and clean water. With pores as small as one-millionth of the thickness of a strand of hair, it removes all impurities such as heavy metals, pesticide, VOCs, and microorganisms. So the taste of water could be different, because the filtered water doesn’t have those pollutants.


What is the difference between water filtration device and water ionizer?
Water filtration devices, which adopt a 6-step filter system that completely eliminates bacteria, heavy metals and viruses. Water ionizer, built in with cutting edge nano filtration technology produces clean and healthy ionized alkali water. Ionizer is a more medical purpose product.

Air Purifier

Why We need Air Purifier?
We spend most of our lives indoors – from home to workplace to almost everywhere in between. However, we often take it for granted that the air we breathe inside is clean. But do you really think so?
Our surroundings are more terrible than your expectation. We are to be exposed to harmful gases, pet hair, dust or carpet fibers. Not to mention that the corners of our homes and offices can actually generate more injurious airborne particles.


What is Key Technology?
Perfect for people prone to respiratory illnesses, Coway’s products even remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and legionella, a source of summer illness.


Why Coway’s Air Purifier?
Coway’s air filtration products are designed for those who care seriously about their health. They adopt the industry’s most complete and efficient filtration system, removing 99.9% of allergens, pet hairs, tobacco fumes, pollen and dust particles 0.3 microns or larger. (99.X% 0.003 microns and larger)

Coway’s air filtration system passes air through five filters. the most in the industry – and an antimicrobial fan. Together with an industry-approved HEPA filter, Coway’s pre-filter, medium filter, deodorization filter and assortment of 15 customized filters effectively eliminate formaldehyde, germs and many other pollutants. Some of Coway’s customized filters are their Legionella Filter, HI Virus Filter and New House Filter, which customers can select based upon their individual needs. The legionella filter, for instance, is the perfect choice for consumers who spend long summer hours in air-conditioned buildings, as it eliminates 99.9% of legionella germs. Legionella is often found in air conditioners and can result in flu symptoms such as headache, high fever and chest pain.


Why do we need air filtration device?
We spend indoors with inadequate ventilation, the more likely we are to be exposed to harmful gases, pet hair, dust or carpet fibers. Not to mention that the corners of our homes and offices can actually generate more injurious airborne particles. So we need air filtration device.


How is your product different?
Coway’s air filtration products are designed for those who care seriously about their health. They adopt the industry’s most complete and efficient filtration system, removing 99.9% of allergens, pet hairs, tobacco fumes, pollen and dust particles 0.3 microns or larger. Perfect for people prone to respiratory illnesses, Coway’s products even remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and legionella, a source of summer illness.


Where can customer purchase it?
Starting from Korea, Coway products can be purchased from 5 others countries such as Japan, China, Thailand, MALAYSIA and the US.


How about warranty? Is is available in US or other county?
1 year from the outright/installments purchase. Or 5 Years throughout rental scheme.


Tell me about your filters
Coway’s air filtration system passes air through five filters – the most in the industry – and an antimicrobial fan. Together with an industry-approved HEPA filter, Coway’s pre-filter, medium filter, deodorization filter and assortment of 15 customized filters effectively eliminate formaldehyde, germs and many other pollutants.



How do the customized filters work?
Some of Coway’s customized filters are their Legionella Filter, HI Virus Filter and New House Filter, which customers can select based upon their individual needs. The legionella filter, for instance, is the perfect choice for consumers who spend long summer hours in air-conditioned buildings, as it eliminates 99.9% of legionella germs. Legionella is often found in air conditioners and can result in flu symptoms such as headache, high fever and chest pain.


[New House filter] How efficiently does the filter remove toxic gases? How does it work? What are the filter materials?
New House Filter for new homes effectively removes substances that lead to Sick House Syndrome, which is known as the main cause of atopic dermatitis. Using Pt catalyst and AC deodorization Filter that effectively eliminates the formaldehyde and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), New House Filter only leaves behind the joy of living in a new home.


What is RBD Plasma system?
The RBD plasma, comprising the plasma generating part and the anti-bacteria catalyst filter (optical catalyst + special zeolite), can effectively move harmful gas such as HCHO, VOCs as well as bacterial using plasma energy. Unlike the existing plasmas, it has almost no ozone, and is electrically stable.
(RBD : Resisted Barrier Discharged)


How much area can be covered by a machine?
CADR means the room size in which 80% of the dust can be removed by operating the product for 20 minutes (once) indoors under natural ventilation conditions. Cigarette dust, pollen and dust are used for CADR experiments. The results of the cigarette dusts are used for calculating the room size.


How do the customized filters work?
Some of Coway’s customized filters are their Legionella Filter, HI Virus Filter and New House Filter, which customers can select based upon their individual needs. The legionella filter, for instance, is the perfect choice for consumers who spend long summer hours in air-conditioned buildings, as it eliminates 99.9% of legionella germs. Legionella is often found in air conditioners and can result in flu symptoms such as headache, high fever and chest pain.


[New House filter] How efficiently does the filter remove toxic gases? How does it work? What are the filter materials?
New House Filter for new homes effectively removes substances that lead to Sick House Syndrome, which is known as the main cause of atopic dermatitis. Using Pt catalyst and AC deodorization Filter that effectively eliminates the formaldehyde and VOCs(volatile organic compounds), New House Filter only leaves behind the joy of living in a new home.


What ingredients can make the polluted air and what ingredients can be removed
in the air by using air cleaner?
The factors that contaminate indoor air could be classified into indoor and outdoor factors. The outdoor contamination, caused by car exhaust, factory generated dust, harmful gas, and sandy dust (desert dust) pollute houses and buildings through natural ventilation. Indoor contamination factors include dust due to cigarettes or fireplaces or corrosion, body odor of human beings or animals, food odor, bathroom odor, gases generated at new houses such as HCHO, VOCs, bacteria and virus. Air cleaners can remove dust, bacteria and virus with the filters.


Can you explain the cleaning way of this machine?
The indoor air, absorbed into the fan and the motor, is cleaned at the filter installed at the product. Our HEPA filter removes fine dust, bacteria and virus, and the deodorizing filter removes the toxic gas and odor, while the functional filter removes influenza virus, Legionella, and fungus.

Bidet

Why do we need a bidet?
The three factors essential for health and longevity are eating well, sleeping, and regular bowel movements. In particular, it’s very difficult to be healthy without being able to go to the bathroom well. Although every part of the human body is important, the anus and the genitals must be cleaner than any other part, and function well.

If the anus and genitals are not clean, urination does not work well, and the person becomes vulnerable to constipation or piles, which may cause many other illnesses.
Urologists say that “the health of the anus is the starting point for the entire body’s health.” Illnesses such as prostatitis or prostatisms, which are urological geriatric diseases, usually occur to people whose anuses are not clean. There are over 1,000 wrinkles around the human anus, and residues from defecation cannot be completely removed just by wiping with toilet paper. If such residues accumulate, the anus becomes vulnerable to various bacteria, and by using toilet paper, miniscule wounds are constantly created around the anus, through which bacteria can invade, increasing the possibility of piles. Therefore, urologists recommend a hip bath not only to patients, but also to everyone in general. A bidet is a product that enables convenient sitz bath. In other words, bidets are for maintaining the cleanliness of the anus and the genitals.


What is the key technology in bidets?
By realizing a range of different water flows, which can selectively clean wide and narrow areas depending upon need, and also by enabling the user to control the force of the cleansing water and the temperature in three phases, with our water jet system, we are producing products with technologies that give optimal cleansing.


Why a Coway bidet?
This bidet enables safe, convenient and clean usage, comprising improved cleansing , convenient controls, and cleansing and safety functions.
Improved cleansing: Wide Water Flow, enabling the user to choose the cleansing area. And by selecting an air inlet, which cleans the anus in conjunction with soft water flow, we have reinforced the cleansing performance.

Convenient controls: the user can make various choices from the functions, according to taste, for example in the temperature of the warm water, the strength of the cleansing water, the temperature of the toilet seat, and the drying air strength.
Cleansing: functions have been applied that emphasize cleansing, such as automatic nozzle cleansing, replaceable nozzle tips and filters.
Safety: Prevention of accidents with high temperature water expulsion controls and a fuse safety lock.


What are the consumer benefits?
A : Coway’s electronic bidet provides a soothing way to wash the rectal area for the people with related disease. Moreover, through a built-in nano silver ceramic filter, the product uses clean water combined with air bubbles to increase efficiency.


How is it different from using dry toilet paper?
Toilet paper is not effective in cleaning genital and rectal areas. In addition, the use of toiler paper encourages the proliferation of Bacteria and Parasites, which promote bladder and maternity diseases. A bidet can help prevent Urethritis, Cystitis, and Urinary abnormalities.


How can consumer make sure the bidet is completely clean when people use it in public places? Or any possibility of infection by using bidet?
After the cleansing is complete, the temperature-adjustable dry air guarantees a refreshing finish.


Is there no danger of burn when people use heated seat?
The temperature control device maintains comfort for your hips.


How can we install or detach a machine? Is it easy?
A : The product can be disassembled from the ceramic unit without using special tools. A spanner must be used when removing the T valve at the water supply.


How do I clean the bidet nozzle?
A : The product has a self-cleansing nozzle function, preventing nozzle contamination. In the event of contamination, one can press the nozzle-cleansing button on the main body. The nozzle cylinder moves forwards, enabling easy cleansing of the nozzle.


Is it safe to be directly exposed to the water?
(When using it in bathrooms and restrooms)
The product is basically designed to be waterproof, and it is safe to use in bathrooms where a lot of water is consumed. Also, the toilet seat is designed with a double layer, and sufficient distance is secured for insulation between the toilet seat’s heater and the external parts, preventing any possibility of electrocution due to moisture.


Is it hygienic when used in public places?
All of our bidets have automatic cleaning devices installed in the nozzles, and before and after the bidet operation and during the cleaning phase, the device automatically cleans the nozzle cylinder and tip for about three seconds. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about in terms of sanitation. Also, the nozzle tips can be replaced, enabling the user to change nozzle tips that are irreversibly polluted, and use a clean product.
(In Korea, we operate a Toto (again and again) service, replacing the nozzle tip every two months)


Is the water temperature safe enough for general use?
The cleansing water temperature is max. 39℃, a little higher than human body temperature.
This temperature is not capable of inflicting burns, and the product has dual safety devices to prevent the water temperature from rising further, providing safe usage.


Can consumers install the product themselves?
Users can install the product simply with the usual tools, but must read the user manual before installation. However, installation may not be possible, depending on the shape of the ceramic unit so users should first check whether DIY installation is actually going to be possible.


What is the minimum time between one use and the next for warm water to be available?
The interval may differ depending on the season, but the minimum time required to reheat the water after one usage is about 3~5 minutes. (Based on a standard temperature of 5℃ for the water when it first comes out)


How can I use it?
The digital bidet has a bidet, cleansing and drying function. The cleansing function is used to clean the anus after defecation, the bidet for cleaning the genitals of women, and drying to dry the moisture remaining around the anus after cleaning.


In which countries are the products generally used?
In Europe, ceramic bidets are widely used, and products such as our digital bidets are most common in Japan and Korea. Currently bidets are becoming more popular in South Eastern Asian regions, such as China, and Switzerland is the largest user of bidets amongst the European countries.

Many bathrooms are not equipped with electric sockets, isn’t there a different way to install the product?
The Woongjin digital bidet can only be operated by electric power, and must be connected to power sockets using external extensions if there are no outlets in the bathroom. If it is difficult to obtain a power supply, you can use our manual bidet.
The manual bidet does not use power, and therefore cannot provide warm water, but there are no limitations to its installation.


Do you have bidets that do not have to be powered by electricity?
You can choose our Manual Bidet BA-12, and will be released in Jan 2008.


Are the nozzles and nozzle tips hygienic?
By installing a twin nozzle, differentiating the bidet and cleansing function, we have enhanced sanitation by enabling separate cleansing for women (genitals) and men (anus), and after using each function, the nozzles are forced to automatically conduct self-cleansing, constantly maintaining proper sanitation.


Can’t the user panel be simpler?
We have added various functions, to provide users with a variety of performance. However, users who are not familiar with all the functions can simply use the cleansing, bidet, drying and stop functions at the front or sides of the panel. We have positioned the most commonly used buttons conveniently for users.


The Control panel is too small, or there are too many functions. Can the size and functions be changed?
The BA06 and BA07 have a body-control panel combination structure, and it is impossible to change the size and functions. However, The BA08 has a separate controller, which using a remote controller it be changed depending upon usage and function, and there are a wide variety of modes.


Can you explain the difference between a digital bidet and a normal bidet? Why are you using the word “digital”?
Bidets are classified into mechanical and electronic units, and the latter into electric and digital. The electric bidet can be on/off controlled with a simple circuit, while the digital bidet is a precision operation using a Micom, giving exact warm water temperature, toilet seat temperature, water pressure, and nozzle location, by receiving signals from various sensors, and indicates its operations with LED lamps. Also, when not using the Micom, the machine converts to energy saving mode, reducing energy usage.
Therefore, compared to other bidets, the Woongjin digital bidet can be used safely, and has a higher economic efficiency.


What is Ag+ Nano ceramic technology?
Sliver nano ceramic balls are installed inside the bidet filter. Silver ions (Ag+) are constantly emitted from the silver nano ceramic balls, (about 3.9ppb) preventing bacteria contamination that may occur in the warm water tank in the product, and inside the filter when the product is not in use, enabling users to clean themselves with cleaner, safer water.


If we use a digital bidet, can we completely remove any residues?
There are over 1,000 small wrinkles around the anus, and waste is not completely removed just by wiping with toilet paper, thereby causing itchiness or anus-related illnesses. However, our digital bidet cleans the anus with water, and is effective in removing waste from between the fine wrinkles. The product can completely remove waste with various cleansing techniques such as Air+ and Wide Water Flow.
*The air+ function is fitted to the BA08. It is a function that softly enhances the anus-cleansing effect with strong but fine bubbles, mixing water and air in a ratio of 6:4 with air pumps (used for blood pressure measuring medical instruments).


Is it possible to detach the bidet easily? Or do we need some tools?
The product can be disassembled from the ceramic unit without using special tools. A spanner must be used when removing the T valve at the water supply.


Can a bidet be installed where water pressure is low?
The water pressure required for the bidet is 0.7kgf/cm2 ~ 7kgf/cm2, and it is difficult to use water pressure type bidets with pressures of under 0.7kgf/cm2. In places that have low water pressure, bidets with built-in pumps should be used. (BA09)

The body shape or seating position differs with each user; how can we be sure that the nozzle locates correctly when cleansing or using the bidet?
Our bidet enables adjustment of the nozzle location in five different positions upon selection. The user can adjust the nozzle position depending on his/her seating position or body shape.


Won’t the bidet use too much electricity if we leave it turned on all the time?
Our bidet has a human body sensor, and 30 minutes after the last use, the machine converts to the main body automatic energy-saving mode (the warm water and toilet seat shift to ‘low gear’), preventing excessive use of unnecessary energy. (Stand-by power: 1W)


Is there a function that notifies malfunction or errors?
If the product is malfunctioning or if there is an error, the LED lamp on the main body’s control panel flickers. Also, there is a self-diagnosis function that notifies malfunctions with a buzzer, as one of the basic options.


Won’t it be uncomfortable to sit on the toilet seat for a long time?
Our bidet provides toilet seats designed to fit the body perfectly, based on accumulated data. Therefore, it will not be uncomfortable to sit on the seat for a long time.


Can the bidet function in error without a person being seated on it?
Our bidet has a human body sensor in the toilet seat, and if no human body is sensed, the cleansing/bidet/dry/automatic cleansing functions do not work, guaranteeing safety.


Can we cure piles or other anus-related illnesses by using a bidet?
Generally, by using a bidet, one can keep the area around the anus clean, preventing various complications due to bacteria. However, bidets are not intended to treat anus-related illnesses or be used as medical supplements.

Is there any danger of burns when sitting on the seat for a long time, after setting the toilet seat temperature to high?
Our bidet’s toilet seat temperature can be set up to 40℃, which is only a little higher than the human body temperature. Therefore, there is no danger of burns. However, those who cannot control the temperature by themselves, such as children or the aged, or those who have sensitive skin, may suffer low-temperature burns; therefore, in such cases, set the temperature in ‘low gear’.
A burn suffered after prolonged contact with a surface at 40℃ or less.