Air Purifiers

[Murphy Durphy]

I have tons of electronics in my room, and they are covered with dust. Cleaning is near impossible because most of it needs to be blown out with canned air (which should be called canned gold due to the price) but yet my things have a thin film of dust not even a day later. I am thinking of getting an air purifier but I'm not sure if this would really help cut down on the dust and yuckyness in the air. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

[MustangSVT]

depends on the type.

but it will help.

Some air purifiers are expensive to maintain. you should look into it.

where do you live? if it is a normal type of home in US with a central heating, air conditioning, perhaps you should change the airfilter on that first?

 

[Murphy Durphy]

Originally posted by: MustangSVT
depends on the type.

but it will help.

Some air purifiers are expensive to maintain. you should look into it.

where do you live? if it is a normal type of home in US with a central heating, air conditioning, perhaps you should change the airfilter on that first?

I live on the Indiana/Michigan border. We have a dog and cat, both shed a fair amount, but they are usually kept out of my room. I'm not really sure where all the dust should be coming from. My one vent in my room is covered by my bed so it shouldn't be coming from that. Still a possibility it's coming from the halls though.

 

[dc]

get a hepa one and not one of the pos ionic breeze type crap.

 

[RossMAN]

Whatever you do, get a real HEPA air filter and not the ionic crap.

 

[Eli]

Yes, they work, but you are going to pay for it.

I have a cheap-ass 15$, 99% @ 1 micron HEPA filter and I noticed the difference, but it by no means elminited all the dust.. I'd say it cut it down by a good 40% though.

They're rated by their efficiency at a certain micron rating, and by the ammount of air they can filter. Ultra Cheap ones are 99% @ 3 or 1 microns and only good for a small room.

Better...99.9% or 99.95% at 1 but usually 0.3 microns.

Best.. 99.99% at 0.3 microns(Commands a hefty premium).

And then you get into the UHEPA.. Ultra High Efficiency Particulate Air (filters).

99.99% at 0.1 microns or less... Think hospitals, and a much, much thinner wallet.

And then you have to think about filters. You have to weigh the cost of the filter, and the ammount it's going to need to be changed.

Cheap HEPA units are 3-6 months.. Better ones are 1-2 years. The key is a good, washable prefilter. There is no point in clogging your expensive filter up with huge 30 micron particles when a cheap foam filter will do it.

Expect to pay at least 100$ for a quality unit.

Do not even think about garbage like the Ionic Breeze.

 

[Murphy Durphy]

Originally posted by: Eli
Yes, they work, but you are going to pay for it.

I have a cheap-ass 15$, 99% @ 1 micron HEPA filter and I noticed the difference, but it by no means elminited all the dust.. I'd say it cut it down by a good 40% though.

They're rated by their efficiency at a certain micron rating, and by the ammount of air they can filter. Cheap ones are 99% @ 3 or 1 microns and only good for a small room.

Getting better...99.9% at 1 or 0.3 microns.

Best.. 99.99% at 0.3 microns.

And then you get into the UHEPA.. Ultra High Efficiency Particulate Air (filters).

99.99% at 0.1 microns or less... Think hospitals, and a much, much thinner wallet.

And then you have to think about filters. You have to weigh the cost of the filter, and the ammount it's going to need to be changed.

Cheap HEPA units are 3-6 months.. Better ones are 1-2 years. The key is a good, washable prefilter. There is no point in clogging your expensive filter up with huge 30 micron particles when a cheap foam filter will do it.

Expect to pay at least 100$ for a quality unit.

Do not even think about things like the Ionic Breeze.

Hmm.. that sounds good. I'm only looking to keep this room "pure" and I would imagine I'd keep the door closed from here on out. $100 isn't too bad, I was looking to spend a nice chunk on it if I decided to get one. Does Wal-mart (shudder) or any other chain store like that sell good ones, or am I looking at an online dealy?

 

[BillyBatson]

Originally posted by: Squisher
Do not buy a Sharper Image Ionic Breeze.

Consumers Reports just did a test on air cleaners and dissed this big time.

Here is their top 5 (cost/filter):

Friedrich C-90A $500/$72
Kenmore 83202 83200, Whirlpool AP51030HO $350/$220
Whirlpool AP45030HO $270/$130
Bionaire BAP-1300 Holmes HAP675RC $225/$132
Honeywell Enviracare 50250 $180/$156

 

[Fritzo]

Yep. Get a big one though. Those little ones don't work well.

 

[NascarFool]

Get a duct mounted HoneyWell Electronic Air Cleaner. It will cost you roughly $1,000 installed by a reputable HVAC company. The other option is to have the ducts cleaned and start using a 3M pleated air filter that fit correctly. Stay away from the electrostatic washable air filter. For the best results, keep the carpets clean and run the blower motor all the time. With the blower running 24/7, the temperature in the house will be more even from room to room and the air will be continually filtered. Check the filter once per month.

Filter differences:

Cheap fiberglass filter: 5% efficiency. When new, 95% of the dust will pass through it.

3M Pleated filter: 40% efficiency. A little restrictive but not enough to harm the HVAC system.

Electrostatic Filter: 99% efficiency. Too restictive if not properly sized. Will cause the A/C and furnace to work twice as hard to cool or heat the house. This type of filter can cause early compressor failure and early heat exchanger failure if not cleaned on a regular basis or if it is not sized correctly. (Paul Harvey fails to mention this in the radio ad)