Air purifiers - are they worth it?

[PracticingAcceptance]

If you have used an air purifier - do you feel the difference?

My bedroom overlooks a road and I noticed a difference in my (mild) asthma when I moved here. Would an air purifier make the difference?

The product descriptions on amazon don't explicitly say if they would clear up car pollution indoors. I don't want to make an assumption they will, then get disappointed.

Hopefully if I put less burden on my lungs, it will help everything else a tiny bit.

 

[Chrisjr19]

I’ve been using a filter from a Swedish company for a few years now and really helps my hay fever and my partners asthma. The brand is “Blueair”, it was recommended to my friend who’s had a lung transplant by the hospital so that was good enough for me.

It will filter even tiny particles like particulates from Diesel engines, Mold spores and volatile organic compounds (has an activated charcoal layer).

They are a bit more expensive than other brands, but they have all the bells and whistles (app controlled, air quality sensors, etc, so will automatically change speeds based on pollutants in the air).

Dyson have a similar offering with their “Pure” fans. Does the same thing but equally expensive.

The filters last 6 months and i tend to hoover any excess “fluff” off once a month. It’s scary how much they collect!!

A lot of the purifiers out there use an ioniser as part of the process to allow the filter to collect more particles, but ionised air doesn’t agree with everyone (think it’s because they produce ozone) The Blueair system does use an ioniser but it doesn’t create any ozone so it’s better.

They do a version without the “Smart” bits now which you can buy from places like John Lewis. It comes in 2 sizes depending on how big the room is you use it in. Much cheaper if you want the clean air but aren’t bothered about having an app and a sensor mode. That’s called “Blueair Blue Pure 411” (or the bigger model is the 221).

Hope that’s useful, but the short of it is, yes they definitely seem to work

 

[PracticingAcceptance]

Thank you @Chrisjr19

That cheapest Blueair model is still out of my price range at £129 from John Lewis. I'm looking for something £50-100, with affordable filters and hopefully not too loud. Dyson is out too. I'm sure they're amazing products.

But I am really glad to hear it helps you and your partner so much. Hopefully a cheaper air purifier would still work well enough to make an impact.

 

[Chrisjr19]

Thank you @Chrisjr19

That cheapest Blueair model is still out of my price range at £129 from John Lewis. I'm looking for something £50-100, with affordable filters and hopefully not too loud. Dyson is out too. I'm sure they're amazing products.

But I am really glad to hear it helps you and your partner so much. Hopefully a cheaper air purifier would still work well enough to make an impact.

I’m sure a cheaper one would be just as good. If it’s a HEPA filter and has an activated charcoal/carbon layer it should do the trick nicely

 

[Shoshana]

I think that it does depend on which one, as to whether it would make a difference or not,
and also, what exactly is in the air that you most want out of it.

Pollen, for example, is a large particle, that most of them might address.

Gasses, and fumes, I thinj that the cheaper ones would not address.

SO I do think, in this matter, that more expensive is better. And keep in mind, the cost of replacing the filter packs, too. SO it is a definite ongoing expense, and difficult. Worth it, if one can manage it, and if it addresses the particular need.

Is there any way to count the expense in any way, to minimize its impact in your situation? Any sort of credit from medical expenses, or any sort of helpful offset, would make a difference.

If you proceed, do check the details of each individual one you might select, to see if it has additional features or not. The price will not tell you Everything you need to know, in order to know if it is worth whatever they charge.

I have Aireox brand .
It is expensive. I think it helps some. But it likely has become even more extremely expensive, in the years since i bought mine. I will say that it HAS lasted fine for many years, and has a quiet motor, which is important to consider also, when you look at them. And it has a sealed one, so the motor itself is not giving off fumes.

 

[Shoshana]

If you are having it for the one room, and you sleep in the room, so you spend a lot of time in it,
then it would likely to a good job, and be worth it, if possible for you to have one.

When people try to use them for a big space or multiple rooms, they don't work well, because they cannot move the air enough, around corners, etc.

 

[toyfoof]

Thanks for starting this thread @PracticingAcceptance!

My doctor actually just recommended that I get a HEPA filter and I had no idea where to start. I just looked at the Blueair options on Amazon and have added one to my wish list. My birthday is in October so I may be asking for this!

 

[Avena]

HEPA and sound level is the essential things to look for. I can’t remember the brand, but the one that on paper was supposed to be the most silent, was not silent at all. We tested several before landing on The Blueair Brand.

I would also stay away from anything “ionic” - it made the air so “tense”, just like the electric sensation right before a thunderstorm break loose, The air might have been clean, but I could hardly breathe.

 

[Judee]

Here is another thread about that. I did write a long post about my experiences with air filters (probably too long).

Not sure if my favorite would fit your price range @PracticingAcceptance but they're less expensive than some. Hope you find something helpful.

https://forums.phoenixrising.me/threads/best-air-purifier.61364/#post-997844

 

[Strawberry]

To get an air purifier that will work, you need to pay some decent money. But since you are only clearing a bedroom, you can opt for a small model. I have one at home for my bedroom that works great and wasn't insanely priced, but I have no idea what it is. Hopefully I remember tonight and I will get the make/model for you. Actually I just scheduled my phone to remind me. So I will post pictures and links tomorrow.

Most air filters will get out particulates, but if the chemicals are also irritating your asthma, you need to make sure it filters out odors and chemicals. I don't remember details, but I know I have participated in threads here. So maybe you can search my name and purifiers? That should bring up the threads. @Gingergrrl is pretty knowledgeable, @Dainty is also very knowledgeable but you would be better off sending her a PM as she isn't online that much any more.

If it’s a HEPA filter and has an activated charcoal/carbon layer it should do the trick nicely

THIS

 

[Wayne]

I'm looking for something £50-100, with affordable filters and hopefully not too loud.

Hey @PracticingAcceptance -- I ran across a 7-Min video (link below) a couple weeks ago that I thought was very good, and which I plan to follow up on. It essentially shows how to use a box fan with any kind of filter to cheaply purify the air, using a variety of methods to suit what works best for you.

HEPA vs DIY Air Filter for Smoke, Dust, Pollen, Dander

 

[HowToEscape?]

Short: No.
A typical air filter can't take out any gasses nor enough small particles nor can it filter the air in your full living space.

Longer:
IF you have a modest space (such as one room) which is less leaky than a typical room (if it's older than 25 years, forget it), and you have a serious problem such that it's worth partially addressing with a filter and you get a substantial enough filtration unit then it could make a meaningful difference. But just tossing a machine in a room is a waste of $. Larger particles fall to the floor anyways, the filter never sees them. Microparticles are hard to filter, you'll need a fancy machine with $$ filters for those, and you have to change the filters routinely. If your room was 100% sealed you wouldn't be online, you'd have asphyxiated when the C02 got to around 5%. So there's air coming in, and with it more dust.

If you throw enough machine at it (multiple stages to catch fine particles, odors, etc), enough to process the room air much faster than new air comes in and you can somehow control the rate of air moving into your room to within the capacity of the machine it could be done. Otherwise, it's a waste.

If it "ionizes" or "ozonizes", run -- out of the room it's in.

 

[Dechi]

I’m in the midst of doing my research regarding the purchase of one. I’ve learned you need a CADR of at least 2/3 of the size of your room, for smoke (which has the smallest particles). Since there is no reglementation for them, CADR are one of the few reliable indicators.

I’m convinced they can help, depending on what you’re looking for. I want it for odor management and allergie relief. One that has the 3 functions will take care of odors, smoke and allergens. Which is what I am looking for.

http://www.airpurifierguide.org/faq/cadr

 

[GypsyGirl]

Hey @PracticingAcceptance -- I ran across a 7-Min video (link below) a couple weeks ago that I thought was very good, and which I plan to follow up on. It essentially shows how to use a box fan with any kind of filter to cheaply purify the air, using a variety of methods to suit what works best for you.

HEPA vs DIY Air Filter for Smoke, Dust, Pollen, Dander

A word of caution about DIY - depending on what you're sensitive to, such a rig could make it worse by kicking up air and not being able to filter it. A dear friend used this method for his moldy house (I'm very mold sensitive, and mold particles are very small and so, difficult to filter), and his house went from tolerable to absolutely intolerable. Of course, if you're not as sensitive, you may have better luck.

It will be hard to find a decent air purifiers under $200. There are some pretty good ones in the $200-250 range. I have a Winix that I bought for $195 five years ago and it's still great. I replace the HEPA filter yearly and the activated carbon filters every 3 months (activated carbon is great for odor absorption). A pack of refill filters for the year is about $50.

A cheaper option would be to replace the apt/home filters. Apartments usually come with cheap HVAC or furnace filters with a low filtration rate ("MERV" rating from 3-8). For about $20, you can get a higher MERV filter (13 is the highest, 11 the next highest). I buy these MERV 11, with activated charcoal for odors: https://www.amazon.com/Filtrete-All...ocphy=9009602&hvtargid=pla-373640161327&psc=1

It doesn't purify air as well as an actual air purifier, but it makes a difference in indoor air quality and might be a less expensive alternative to bring your living space to tolerable.

 

[Foxglove]

I would also stay away from anything “ionic” - it made the air so “tense”, just like the electric sensation right before a thunderstorm break loose, The air might have been clean, but I could hardly breathe.

If it "ionizes" or "ozonizes", run -- out of the room it's in.

I would agree with staying away from the ionic kinds. They release ozone.
https://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-skeptic21apr21-story.html

Other than that, I am interested in all the tips, as I am thinking about whether I need one for my whole apartment, or just my bedroom. The apartment ones seem very spendy, though.

When I lived with family, putting a HEPA filter on the furnace helped allergies a lot. I live someplace else now, though, and there's no central heat (nor air).

 

[gbells]

If you have used an air purifier - do you feel the difference?

My bedroom overlooks a road and I noticed a difference in my (mild) asthma when I moved here. Would an air purifier make the difference?

The product descriptions on amazon don't explicitly say if they would clear up car pollution indoors. I don't want to make an assumption they will, then get disappointed.

Hopefully if I put less burden on my lungs, it will help everything else a tiny bit.

It depends on the toxin. if you live in an apartment and her having crossover smoke from another apartment then you have to have a way to eliminate the smoke. The most economical way I have found has been to use a room ion generator. I also had to reduce the size of the opening where the drain tubes go into the central shaft by covering it with plastic part way and then gauze on the remaining opening with a couple of lines of Vaseline to reduce the amount of smoke coming in. That allowed me to only have to vent my room once or twice a day instead of constantly. If you have allergies then I recommend a reusable HEPA filter for the furnace filter. That will allow you to rinse it once a month. It definitely makes a big difference in my quality of life.

Air Ionizer for Cig Smoke
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Wein-VI-3500-High-Density-Ionic-Air-Purifier/263955058406

HEPA furnace filter
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Web-20-...gFpdVywJ7GbUyoRF7PhoCI5AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Gingergrrl]

@Gingergrrl is pretty knowledgeable,

Sorry I missed this @Strawberry There are several threads where I replied to this topic if anyone searching for HEPA filters does a Google site search on PR.

I have two Blue Air HEPA filters (one in my bedroom and one in living room). I always bought the SmokeStop filter (by Blue Air) when it was time to replace it. It had become unavailable on Amazon which was strange so I called Blue Air and they changed the name of that filter to "Dual Protection Filter" which was good to know.

Each replacement filter lasts about six months so I change them out twice per year which is not too bad. It is an excellent HEPA filter and I have been really happy with it. I hope this helps!

 

[Strawberry]

@PracticingAcceptance I have the "Amaircare Roomaid" in my bedroom. It is small and compact, decently quiet, works GREAT and I don't remember it costing much. It also comes with a car adapter so it can be used in autos.

I made a dumb mistake of buying brand new wood bedroom set, and the chemicals in the finish made it impossible to be in my room. I ran this thing 24/7/365 or more until the furniture had off gassed.

Maybe you aren't concerned with chemicals, but automobiles do contribute to asthma.

Hope you find something that works well!

 

[YippeeKi YOW !!]

@PracticingAcceptance
Really good thread, thanks for startng it !!!

 

[Wayne]

(I'm very mold sensitive, and mold particles are very small and so, difficult to filter)

@GypsyGirl -- I was watching a segment on "House Smarts" recently, and they mentioned spraying a mold control aerosol onto the furnace filter in the house to trap and kill mold spores. I've been meaning to buy a can of Concrobrium Aerosol Spray, as it's supposed to be non-toxic. A friend of mine who has a very sensitive system used it, and didn't have any problems. I think this product might work well on one of those inexpensive box fan filters if there was a concern the fan would stir up mold toxins.

Concrobrium Ingredients

I see Sodium Carbonate listed on the label. Is Concrobrium Mold Control just Sodium Carbonate (washing soda) and water?

No. Sodium Carbonate is the listed “active ingredient” on the Concrobium Mold Control label, but in fact there are two other ingredients in the solution which, when combined with the sodium carbonate and the water, result in this patented tri-salt polymer that eliminates and prevents mold. (Sodium Carbonate and water alone are not effective against mold.) The solution contains no bleach, ammonia or VOCs. Our Material Safety Data Sheet is posted on our website.