Portable Air Purifiers

[countryguy]

I'm thinking about getting an air purifier. At this time of year with all the windows closed and no ventilation system, the air in the house can become quite stale. Do these portable air purifiers work? I've seen the Oreck advertised on TV? any comments - good or bad?

Thanks.

Gary

 

[henry200]

I don't know anything about the Oreck purifiers but I have two Honeywell certified HEPA air cleaners and I can't imagine being without them.  When my allergies are driving me crazy they're a life-saver. 

 

[bwoods]

Gary,

You might check Orek's website, I believe their air "purifier" uses electrostatic
elements (aka electronic air cleaner) which do produce small amounts of ozone. Yes, most produce below the EPA limits, but ozone is a poison nevertheless. I gave up my whole house (central) electronic air cleaner because of this. I really liked it otherwise. Maybe I a being a little overly cautious.

Some of the studies I have read on the web state the biggest problem is the long term exposure, even though the levels are low. Biggest danger is repiratory damage over the long term and deadening of the sense of smell due to damage of the olfactory. Too bad. I like that smell of ozone. It's what you smell after a lightning storm. The small amount amount from my air cleaner always made the house smell fresh and clean.

All air cleaners take out particulates, but don't do anything for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC's), formaldehyde, household chemical vapors, etc.

Do you have central forced air heating/cooling? If you do, just buy a high efficiency air filter like the 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen. It's about $19. That's what I use. It's almost (but not quite) as effective as my electrostatic air cleaner. I leave the fan on the furnace/ac on continuously 24/7. It keeps the air moving and filtered. The continuous air movement also levels out warm/cool spots in the house andm I have found, gives you more even air temperatures.

 

[mrcleanjeans]

The Oreck's process does produce a small amount of Ozone but the newer ones have a "catalytic converter" of sorts to neutralize that ozone before the air is expelled. Also ,there is a activated charcoal "filter" which should be replaced anually that absorbs formaldehyde, benzene and other toxic gases in the air. My friend with asthma is so impressed, she wants a second one,said it dramatically helps her. I used to work for Oreck,and wish that I could buy one for myself, but cannot right now.

 

[thomasortega]

What about the Samsung's Virus Doctor?

I found it really interesting, and I'm curious about it...
Does anybody here know details about it?

 

[launderess]

Half A Dozen of One vs Six Of Another

The best HEPA filters will work a treat on keeping indoor air free of dust, pet dander and other types of pollutants, however it's rather like purchasing an ink jet printer; often one is getting the printer but buying the ink. By that one means the HEPA replacement filters especially on the best units are very dear in terms of cost. Sooner or later one has out spent what one paid for the unit on filters.

There are only a few "excellent" electrostatic air purifiers: Friedrich, Trion, and one or two others are the only models that score well in independant tests and came highly rated by Consumer Reports. However about a year or so ago CR pulled their support for any electrostatic air purifier that gives off even small amounts of ozone, so that was that.

We have a Trion unit and as they are no longer made filters can be hard to find. Oreck's console and desk unit are almost exactly the same so was pleased to find filters again. The same model was also sold under the Kenmore brand as well.

One problem with electrostatic units is that unless the plates and pre-filter are kept totally clean efficiency drops off. Worse depending upon the after filter's condition and design that charged "dust" can and will be spewed all over one's home and cling about surfaces including walls, furniture and so forth. Also as the plates become dirty with dust you'll hear snapping noises (similar to electric bug zappers). Depending upon how often this happens it can be annoying, espeically at night if one has the unit in or close to the bedroom.

Whatever unit you choose make sure to inquire about it's filtration rates not just when the thing is working on "High' but low as well. Many air purifiers work their best only at high settings, but that can also be like sitting next to a high powered fan in terms of noise. This can be distracting say if one is trying to watch television or even sleep. Many units recommend using the high setting only when there is lots of dust in the air such as when housecleaning,dusting, vacuuming, making the beds, smoking or cooking, etc., and otherwise switch to low

 

[countryguy]

Thanks for all the advice/info guys.

Bwoods, no I don't have central air/heating in my house. When I was looking to get rid of the electric baseboard heaters 2 years ago I inquired about installing a forced air system but unfortunately it is impossible to do with the way the house is built. Instead I opted for a hot water radiant baseboard system.

Launderess, I know what you mean about the cost of the Hepa filters. I was looking at a Honeywell unit and the Hepa filters are $89. Way too expensive since they are supposed to be replaced every 6 months.

I don't have allergies so I'm not really concerned about filtration. I'm more concerned about getting rid of the stale air smell. It isn't a problem in the summer since the windows are open but from now until next spring I notice the odour every time I walk into the house.

Gary

 

[bwoods]

Gary,

Since filtratin isn't a specific need for you, you might consider a Heart Recovery Ventilor.

These pull in fresh air from the outside and exhaust stale inside air out.

However, they also exchange heat from the exhaust air with the incoming air so you are not dumping the heat (and the money) you expended to heat the indoor air. Ssome will even exchange humidity also.

In the summer it works in reverse and uses the cool exhaused air to cool down the incoming warmer air so you are not paying to cool (if you have AC) the warm outdoor air.

These units are not only made for central systems, but they also have wall and window units for people in situations like you.

As soon as I ge the money, I intend to put a central whole house unit in. It's a good way to keep your air fresh and lower indoor pollutant and contaminant levels without throwing your money away on heating or cooling incoming outdoor air, as you would if you opened a window.

Barry

 

[henry200]

Gary, I hate that stale, closed-up-house smell when I come home too.  Even in the dead of winter I occasionally open a couple windows for a few minutes just to get some fresh air in the house.  I don't have any pets (great companions and great odor producers) but my basement does get a stinky mildew odor despite running a dehumidifier continuously from March to November.

 

There are some high-tech air purifiers that use activated charcoal/zeolite filters which remove odors and noxious gasses but the cost of the machine and filter replacement is beyond my budget.   Ionizer type air purifiers aren't the answer in my book either.  The ozone they produce deadens your sense of smell so you just don't notice odors.  Cleaning like a mad-man and opening a window when the air goes stagnant is what I'm resigned to do until, as was suggested, I can install one of those air-exchangers which would be ideal.  At least I'm a step ahead here since I have forced air heat/ac.

 

Neil

 

[countryguy]

I have a dehumidifier in the basement running almost constantly from spring to fall. When I had electric heat, supplemented by a wood stove, I had to run a dehumidifier constantly during the winter on the main floor also because of the high humidity - there was always water on the windows in the morning. Now that I am heating with the radiant baseboard heat, I no longer need to run the dehumidifier on the main floor. The heating contractor suggested installing a heat recovery ventilation system but again, there is no room for ductwork nor do I have the space for the unit itself. I was hoping to find a portable unit that would do the job.

Gary

 

[vintagekitchen]

Charcoal..

Actually if its just odors, plain (no lighter fluid) charcoal works great. Since I smoke, in winter I keep a few loosely woven lidded baskets around with some in it, and change it out once a month. I also do a quick, and I do mean QUICK throw open the windows, air the house, when I change the charcoal. In a refrigerator manual from the 40's I have, it says charcoal filters can be renewed by baking them in the oven to get rid of the absorbed odors, but, since charcoal is so cheap, I have never tried this.

 

[iheartmaytag]

For what it's worth

Consumer reports says that room air cleaners are very effective, however, as soon as the central air unit kicks in , or someone opens a door--all is for not.

They actually suggest you spend a few extra bucks on a pleated filter on your Furnace / A/C air handler.

 

 

[whirlcool]

I find that some of those 3M pleated filters drastically cut down on airflow making the air handler fan work that much harder. There are pleated filers out there that don't cut the airflow down as much, such as Purofilter filters.

We had an Oreck air cleaner that worked fine for us. You can find them on Ebay for a lot cheaper than in the store. Ours has lasted for at least 8 years. I wrote a review of it for eopinions.com in case you'd like to see what I thought of it.

When we replaced out a/c unit in August of this year we installed a Aprilaire electonic air cleaner in the system. We really can't believe the reduction in dust in the house. It sure does capture a lot of dog dander. It also captures ragweed which is rampant here this time of the year. Ours also has a UV light in it so it is suppose to sanitize the air too. So far, so good.

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[countryguy]

Thanks Whirlcool. I read your review. I am leaning towards getting the Oreck but it is pricey. The Home Shopping Channel has it for $349. I missed the sale 2 weeks ago when it was $249. I checked Ebay and found several but I am leary buying from there in case there is anything wrong with it because there is no Oreck dealer around here. From all the reviews I have read on different makes of air purifiers they all seem to have some kind of problem.

Gary

 

[bwoods]

ceiling ERV

Gary, Panasaonic makes a small ERV (Energy Recovery Venitlator) that mounts in your ceiling and looks like a bathroom exhaust fan. The model is FV-04VE1. It is meant to do one room but can do a whole house if it is a smaller home.

You can get true fresh air this way with no ozone.

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Building-Products/Ventilation-Systems/model.FV-04VE1_11002_7000000000000005702

 

[whirlcool]

But that's a bathroom ventilator fan, I think Countryguy was looking for something to clean the air in his home.

I reread that review I wrote. That was written a LONG time ago! We now have 4 dogs instead of 2.

There isn't much to go wrong with an Oreck Air Filter. There are only the metal electronic grids that catch the dust. The optional charcoal filters (listed often on Ebay) and the switches on the unit. That's all there is to it. Plus they have that new filter that catches the ozone and prevents it from escaping into the room. Now that filter is expensive $54.00, but you change it only once per year. If you find on on Ebay for a decent price, I wouldn't be shy of it.

 

[bwoods]

not a bathroom fan

That is not a bathroom fan, Allen. That is an ERV that mounts in the ceiling of any room. Most people install it in their bedroom so they have fresh air at night while they sleep.

It is designed to mount in the ceiling for people who don't have room for a wall unit, or cannot install a central unit.

Yes, it does look like a bathroom exhaust fan, but its not designed to go in the bathroom and its not an exhaust fan. It's a full fledged ERV that cost almost $400.

 

[countryguy]

Ok, after doing a lot of research, comparing features, prices, etc. I decided to get the Oreck air purifier from the Home Shopping Channel. It has a 30 day no questions asked return policy as well as a 5 month no interest payment plan. Also it seemed to be the least expensive when it came time to filter replacement. I could have purchased directly from the Canadian Oreck website but the price was $120 more although it did include a free rechargeable stick vacuum and a fridge air purifier. I don't need either of these extra bonuses so that's why I went with HSC. I'll provide an update once I've used it for awhile.

Gary

 

[whirlcool]

The reason I called it a bathroom fan was because I did a search on the model number and came up with a website that was selling it as such. Thanks for the correction.

It seems from the description all it does is exhaust inside air and bring in outside air. It doesn't mention any filtration at all.

http://www.appliancesconnection.com/i98400-panasonic-fv04ve1.html?ref=rap&mkwid=sIzagBJoU&pcrid=6246833504&KW=fv04ve1