Room Filtration Machines - Advice/Experience, Please...

[Don Ro]

My g/f suffers from all manner of ailments and this year is the worst for her.
Phoenix (AZ) Valley is having its worst year for allergies, etc.
Even recent cases of West Nile Virus.
She wants a filtering machine for her bedroom.
Any advice, tips, experiences that y'all wish to share?
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PS She also suffers from migraines and regular headaches...sinus issues, etc.

[wdfifteen]

We had some kind of ozone filters in our offices for a while once. I have no idea how or if they worked. So it looks like I can't help you. Feel free to ignore this post.

[Don Ro]

You get a Participation Atta Boy.

[wdfifteen]

Does that involve a plaque and a cash award?

[Don Ro]

A plaque with a 9 x 12 autographed glossy photo of Fabio.

[Heel n Toe]

I was talking to an Oreck salesdude about 10 years ago after purchasing some vacuum cleaner bags.

I noticed they also had air purifiers and Mrs. Toe had been having a few allergy-type reactions in our home at the time, so I asked him about them.

I don't remember everything he said, but the way the Oreck machines do what they do impressed me and I decided if we ever had to get an air purifier, it would be one of theirs.

I think one of its features was that you don't just buy new filters several times a year... the ones he showed me, you pulled out a tray and dumped out the dust/pollen, etc. and the filter system was removable and washable.

I'd recommend going to an Oreck store and asking a lot of questions... looks like Amazon sells them, too.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_5?url=search-alias%3Dgarden&field-keywords=oreck+air+purifier&sprefix=oreck%2Cgarden%2C317&crid=C25R2YDZ7FHU&rh=n%3A1055398%2Ck%3Aoreck+air+purifier

[RKDinOKC]

This is our household experience...

Had allergy problems.

Tried one of those Ozone machines. Recommended by a healthcare professional/family friend.
Didn't seem to help much.

Put in the highest density filters in HVAC. Had to change them about once a month.
Would start sneezing after we first got up, checked the filters and they were filthy, time to change.

Had someone sell me on a Fairfax canister style vacuum.
We had a rainbow, the salesman showed the dirt coming out the exhaust with a bright lite.
Said the dust went thru the water like stones skipping on a lake.
The Fairfax had nothing you could see in it's exhaust. It has a bag, plus two filters, AND a 1 micron filter.
Said it could be used as a hospital grade air purifier, well...except for the noise.

It also cleaned better.
When first got it bought several top vacuums for comparison.
Could vacuum and area with others until they would not pick anything else.
Then go over the area with the Fairfax and it would get more stuff.
Could vacuum with the fairfax and then others and they would not pick anything up.
Well, except for a Hoover, it didn't get any more dirt or dust, but seemed to always de-thread carpet.
Took them all back and kept the Fairfax.

Couple weeks after using the Fairfax noticed we stopped getting dust collecting on things.
Seems a lot of dust was getting kicked up out of the carpet again and again until we got the Fairfax.

We can now go a full 3 months before the filters get dirty and (3 moths is how long the hours of use thing goes on the HVAC), nobody starts sneezing.

Stopped the allergy problems well enough we stopped looking for a purifier.

[Aragorn]

Late reply.

Good advice on the vacuuming. I found it best to vacuum twice a week and dust often during high pollen season. Allergist also recommended taking a shower at night to get the dust and pollen out of my hair/skin and prevent the transfer to pillows and sheets. Change clothes and leave my outside clothes in the hamper. Found with a few modifications to my routine, I could remove most of the pollen and dust from the bedroom and improve my sleep.

Used one of the tower filters for a while, but found the modifications above worked so well I didn't need anything else.

[cabmandone]

If you have a central heating and cooling system, you could install a good quality electrostatic air filter and run your circulation fan in the on position. Get a good vacuum (we use a shark) and sweep often.

[stomachmonkey]

Did not read your question or any of the responses.

My advice.

Mini split.

[porsche4life]

No advice but I can commiserate on the allergies. The early rain we had made everything bloom. It's been a brutal pollen year I've been fighting it for what feels like months now.

[Crowbob]

As far as allergies go, here's what I did:

In the fall of '75 I suddenly had sneezing fits, itchy swollen eyes, blocked sinuses, breathing trouble, headaches and the whole bit constantly for the following 40 years. Did pills, shots, filters, took showers, no pets, blah, blah, blah. Nothing worked so I finally gave up and learned to live with it.

Then about 2 years ago they went away. Just like that.

[GWN7]

I have two (one up stairs, one on main floor). The brand escapes me at the moment, but they are round and have a foam pre filter and a replacement inner filter. I got them because of the dogs and the dust/hair they shed. Two Old English Sheep dogs. 90 & 125 lbs.

Do they work? Yes the pre filter needs cleaning every 6 months or so. I unplug them and then vacuum the exterior of the unit then place inside a garbage bag to move them outside where I take them apart and remove the foam filter. Clean it with my air compressor and then wash it. Then I use the air on the unit and wipe it down. The replacement filter is inspected and replaced as needed, the factory says every year but they are a bit pricey I've gone about 3 years on them.

The biggest reduction in house dust was when I removed the wall to wall carpets in the living room and upper hallway. I couldn't believe how much dirt was contained in that carpet and it went thru the under pad. Put laminate flooring down instead.

I change the furnace filters twice a year. Central air moves the same amount of air as heating does in the winter. Someone usually has them on sale in summer and they can be bought for about $2.50 or so.

[Tobra]

Like Bruce says, ditch the carpet.


Also, there is a product sold at Bed Bath and Beyond(in the Beyond section) It is a cool mist deal with a mask that goes over the mouth and nose. Helps my office manager a lot with similar issues, and the Central Valley of California is the allergy capitol of the world.

[RNajarian]

DISCLAIMER: I have No affiliation with the product below- just a satisfied owner

My recommendation is IQ Air. Apparently they are hospital grade units (not cheap) but can be customized to your needs by adding levels of filtration. In Southern California, (with the right filtration option) they are able to filter the smoke particles of local brush fires so the (inside) of your house doesn't smell like a camp fire, in my house they are able (with the right filtration option) to filter out burnt bread smell pretty quickly.

Here are a few links

HealthPro® Series | IQAir

IQAir Air Purifiers - New Edition | Free Shipping | AllergyBuyersClub

Hope it helps

[Don Ro]

Thanks for all the input, gents.
The IQAir appears to be quite superior...pricey, however.
I suppose I'll end up buying one for her...as per usual.
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[GWN7]

This is the one I have on the main floor. The one upstairs is a little shorter but the same diameter and has a built in HEPA filter also.

Forgot to add the link.

https://www.amazon.ca/Honeywell-Permanent-Round-Purifier-Reduction/dp/B00007E7RY

[Don Ro]

https://marshallhansendesign.com/2012/01/02/studio-operations/
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https://www.filtersfast.com/P-3M-Filtrete-Ultimate-Allergen-Six-Pack-Filter.asp