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thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 266
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 2:39 pm: |     |
While we're talking about dehumidifiers, I'd like to hear your experiences with air purifiers. The good folks in the Sharper Image marketing department really, really want me to buy one of their Ionic Breeze Quadra units, but I'm finding mixed reactions from homeowners and industry professionals. Some recommend HEPA units instead.
Either way, this is a relatively pricey investment without having some degree of confidence. |
tourne
Citizen
Username: Tourne
Post Number: 179
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 2:53 am: | |
I recommend a good combination hepa/charcoal filter such as the Austin Air Cleaner. Ionized air, such as that produced by ionic air "cleaners", is itself a pollutant which can irritate the lungs(ozone). My opinion is that they are overpriced and unhealthy. In addition, if you have central air, look for the 3M filtrete (electrostatic) disposable filters and use them in place of the ordinary central air filter. |
mogli
Citizen
Username: Mogli
Post Number: 11
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 12:42 pm: | |
from Consumer Reports, Feb. 2002:
... The other electronic-precipitator model, the Sharper Image SI637 Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier, proved unimpressive in our tests. Ads for this unit tout its silence and miserly power consumption. Both are attributable to its lack of a fan. But so is its disappointing performance; we found almost no measurable reduction in airborne particles.
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notehead
Citizen
Username: Notehead
Post Number: 632
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 1:54 pm: | |
Unfortunately, I have to agree with Consumer Reports. I chose Ionic Breeze purifiers because they are silent, and because of Sharper Image's other claims about how effective they are. While I can clearly see the dusty grunge that accumulates on the collection plates inside, it seems to me like the rate of collection isn't fast enough to be terribly effective.
Anyway, at the risk of stating the obvious, if your windows are open you don't need to have air purifiers on. |
thegoodsgt
Citizen
Username: Thegoodsgt
Post Number: 269
Registered: 2-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 30, 2003 - 4:56 pm: | |
notehead, you raise a good point: Do we even need air purifiers.
I see that you have an image of a cat under your name, so maybe you have a cat. We do, and for that reason we can't open our windows all the way, for fear of young Dixie pushing out a screen. (I once watched her try to lurch upon a butterfly on a shrub outside, hitting her head hard on the closed window. Not the sharpest knife in the shed!) So...we don't get to air out the house as much as I'd like.
But even with open windows and fresh air, might there still be a need for an air purifier? Maybe in the winter?
Just curious.
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alexmart
Citizen
Username: Alexmart
Post Number: 1
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, August 9, 2003 - 7:24 pm: | |
I bought a Sharper Image Quadra, and was disappointed to find out that it generates ozone (which none of the ads ever mentions) and in addition, it is not even an effective air cleaner.
However, I will say that is has proven effective in keeping the kitty litter smell contained in our basement. Although, at $350+-, it's a very expensive cat box deodorizer.
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