Air purifier for apt

[DanS]

I am trying to cut down on the dust in my place and have therefore thought about one of those air purifier machines that I see from time to time. E.g.,

http://www.oreck.com/air-purifiers/xl_air_purifier_tower_pro.cfm?keycode=DP217&mr:trackingCode=C569EB7E-DB81-DE11-9973-0019B9C2BEFD&mr:referralID=NA

However, these products seem to have a hint of snake oil about them, so I wanted to hear if you've had any good or bad experiences with any of these purifiers, what I should look out for and avoid, etc.

Thanks!

[Theben]

I got a couple of the older models. They work pretty well and if you set them on the lowest setting they're extremely quiet. At that setting it'll take a few hours to clean the air and it's not as perfect as they advertise, but they do a respectable job. You'll have to clean them every 1-2 weeks, depending on the level of dust in your place.

[DanS]

Do you recall what brands that you have? Were any of them pieces of junk or pieces of gold?

I'm particular about the decibel levels in my place, and will buy with that at the top of my mind.

[VetLegion]

This is the first time in my life I hear about something like this. Removes
dust from the air? Errr... isn't the endeavor futile if you ever open your
window?

[DanS]

Why would you open your window?

[Ben Kenobi]

Vetlegion is the wrong kind of white people.

[Theben]

They're Orecks, the tabletop kind. Don't remember which w/o seeing a pic (which isn't on the site from what I see so far). Could tell you when I go home. No UV light.

They are very quiet at the lowest setting. They seem to have the same effectiveness regardless of setting, but over longer times... so I leave them there. They clean the air around pretty well but they won't affect the stuff that makes it to the top of your sofa so you still gotta dust. One problem with them (my observation only) is that they will concentrate the floating stuff around them as they draw it in, making the air in the near vicinity worse than normal. So put it somewhere out of the way but still central enough to work.

Why would you open your window?

Does it matter? 80% of the stuff that you see floating in the air is exfoliated human skin, probably yours. And unless your apt is airtight some outside air will seep in.

[Berzerker]

we got an oreck and before that we had the floor cylinder type of air cleaner (suction with filters and louder). The latter probably worked better but the filters are expensive enough to be a consideration, especially at the manufacturers replacement schedule (which is probably rarely followed). The oreck is more like those towers that magnetically trap dust but the oreck does have some suction (quiet on low). Ours dont need filters much, just clean the dust off the metal plating let dry and reinstall... Thats a plus. And its several years old now, and it'll make a nasty sound like the bugzapper in The Waterboy when its in need of cleaning. I gotta imagine your local hardware home supply has something comparable for cheaper. Maybe even Walmart...

[Theben]

and it'll make a nasty sound like the bugzapper in The Waterboy when its in need of cleaning.

Yeah, mine does that too. When it's dirty the electricity arcs from the dust.

[SlowwHand]

http://www.air-purifiers-america.com/lc_top10.asp?linkid=homeHero-top10

The top rated is in the mid Oreck price range.

http://www.oreck.com/air-purifiers/xl_air_purifiers_choice.cfm?keycode=DP382&gclid=CNnKzrr0-p8CFQ-bnAodpHfeVw

[DanS]

I see that HEPA filters are sometimes mentioned. What does that mean and is it something that I should want?

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Save money by wearing a sock over your head.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

I see that HEPA filters are sometimes mentioned. What does that mean and is it something that I should want?

If allergens are an issue for you, then yes, you should. It's basically a grade of filter that removes finer irritants.

[Theben]

HEPA filter is a must for any decent unit, regardless of manufacturer.

[SlowwHand]

My vacuum cleaner is HEPA.