Air Purifier

[Sixguns]

Doctor recommended we get a hepa air purifier for my son as it looks like he is developing asthma. Any recommendations? We just brought him home from the hospital, pneumonia, and is still on oxygen. Im thinking one for his room and maybe a bigger one for living room/kitchen area.

 

[TechBoyJK]

If budget is a concern -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5APw_SLUU

 

[Matthiasa]

Besides the air purifier should have some kind of allergy med as well. Untreated allergy can cause asthma to develop.

 

[IronWing]

Also, if you have carpet, get rid of it.

 

[zerocool84]

If budget is a concern -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5APw_SLUU

It's not pretty but it's infinitely cheaper, cleans a larger space, and cleans better than those more expensive units. I built one of these.

 

[Charmonium]

Did they put the filter over the output or input. It looked like the output. Wouldn't it be better to put it over the intake?

 

[angminas]

Did they put the filter over the output or input? It looked like the output. Wouldn't it be better to put it over the intake?

FTFY

 

[kranky]

Did a lot of research before buying a replacement air purifier a few months ago. Ended up with a Coway AP-1512. Long filter life (those costs add up). On low setting it's whisper-quiet. I turn off the ionizer part. You can program it to run for 1, 4 or 8 hours or just leave it on so the air quality sensor decides when to run. It's a room-size unit.

 

[WiseUp216]

I've been really happy with a Winix Plasmawave for a couple of years. I pay something like $60 per year on filters.

http://www.amazon.com/Winix-PlasmaWave-5300-Cleaner-Model/dp/B001RUS05E

 

[Exterous]

I've been using air purifiers for a few years now to help with my allergies. I have had honeywell units for a while but they've changed their replacement filters to be modular. They cost more for less filtering surface so I wouldn't recommend them anymore. I have a Winix now and am very happy with it.

You can get replacement carbon filters online for much cheaper than through the manufacturers. If you vacuum them a few times and then replace them you'll greatly lengthen your filter life

Opinions differ on the efficacy of furnace filters and the strain they put on the furnace itself but, after two summers with terrible allergies, I ran higher MERV filters in the high allergy months the following years and noticed a considerable improvement in my allergies. I would also occasionally turn the furnace fan to ON and let it run for a while. You do need to keep a close eye on higher MERV filters as they are more susceptible to extremely poor airflow and furnace blower strain when dirty:

http://www.homeenergy.org/show/article/id/667

Also, if you have carpet, get rid of it.

There are differing opinions on that:

A 15-year Swedish study found no link between carpet and allergy and asthma attacks. In fact, when carpet usage in Sweden decreased by 70 percent, allergy reactions in the general population increased by 30 percent. In 2003, a study of school children in New Jersey found that having carpet in a child’s bedroom was associated with fewer missed school days and less need for asthma medication.

http://www.unitedallergyservices.com/the-surprising-truth-about-carpet/

http://latexallergyresources.org/articles/myths-and-truths-about-carpet

There are a few studies that suggest hardwoods may be worse as carpet can trap allergens while hardwoods allow them to easily recirculate when disturbed. Its thought the carpet\allergy debate arises from use of poor filtering vacuums that just disturb allergens caught in the carpet and spew them into the air instead of being capable of filtering them out. You may want to avoid vacuuming around your son

Regardless - good cleaning habits are more important that flooring

 

[Beer4Me]

Winix

 

[balloonshark]

Did they put the filter over the output or input. It looked like the output. Wouldn't it be better to put it over the intake?

It is on the output side and I was wondering the same thing. If it was on the intake it would also keep the fan blades and motor clean.

 

[Childs]

If budget is a concern -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5APw_SLUU

hahaha I think I should have put more thought into this.

I didnt want to replace the filter every 3 months like you do with a 1-2" thick filter, so I went big! It does seem to work, but 4" probably cut down the CFM significantly. The fan on high feels like low. I should probably remove the pre filter to get a little back. On the positive, it seems to be muffling the normal fan noise. I might try this again using my vornado. That thing has enough CFM to knock down a brick house.

 

[tcsenter]

I might try this again using my vornado. That thing has enough CFM to knock down a brick house.

Hyperbole.

 

[Sixguns]

hahaha I think I should have put more thought into this.

I didnt want to replace the filter every 3 months like you do with a 1-2" thick filter, so I went big! It does seem to work, but 4" probably cut down the CFM significantly. The fan on high feels like low. I should probably remove the pre filter to get a little back. On the positive, it seems to be muffling the normal fan noise. I might try this again using my vornado. That thing has enough CFM to knock down a brick house.

This is just awesome!

 

[highland145]

If budget is a concern -->

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH5APw_SLUU

+1 One at my office and one at home. Seems to work O.K.

Did they put the filter over the output or input. It looked like the output. Wouldn't it be better to put it over the intake?

Originally, I copied the video (output). A lot simpler, with no tape, to put it on the input side.

Yeah, it isn't pretty but better than the allergies kicking up.

 

[rh71]

Just ordered our third one of these since it doesn't require replacement filters - just need to wash them. It doesn't seem to be HEPA so I wonder how effective it really is.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ANEPYO?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

IFD vs. HEPA (not sure if true)
http://www.darwintechnology.com/ifd/ifd-hepa.html

 

[Leyawiin]

They're not a cheap brand but I have two of these in my home and they've saved my butt. I really have a problem with smoke and in my area there are frequent wildfires in the summer, agricultural burning in the fall and wood stove smoke all winter. I couldn't live here without them.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GH19UU2/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

The filters are expensive, but they last quite a while (you can wash the charcoal one several times).