Do Electronic Air Purifiers Really Work??

[drlove]

I'm wondering if electronic air purifiers such as "The Environizer" or "Ionic Breeze" are effectice at getting rid of tobacco smoke. I think someone new who is a smoker just moved in across from me, since there has been a lot of smoke in the hallway the last few days, which was never there before. It's so bad at times that it has actually seeped into my unit.

I am moving into a new building downtown in July; However, I am an inveterate anti-smoker and do not wish to breathe in someone elses filth for the next six months. The air purifier I am thinking of purchasing is the largest model I could find, which retails between $300 and $400. Will something like this help at all, or are they just a waste of money?? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[leah_mpa]

Hi drlove!! I have the Bionaire air purifier and it's totally awesome!! You should see all the filth and dirt that's there when you change the filter. It's scary. The model I have has been discontinued though but I think it's because they came out with an even better one. Mine only costed about $40.

 

[Jade4u]

Yes, I am all for any air purifier the only problem is they are a bit noisy you will get immune to it though. The only time I realized how noisy mine was was when I turned it off to clean it. I really need to get a new one now myself for the living room. If you really want to clean your place good of the allergens etc... put one in each room. Yes, it is incredible the amount of things they will trap.

 

[souljax33]

Hi drlove!! I have the Bionaire air purifier and it's totally awesome!! You should see all the filth and dirt that's there when you change the filter. It's scary. The model I have has been discontinued though but I think it's because they came out with an even better one. Mine only costed about $40.

Do you think this one is a good option?

http://www.bionaire.ca/bionairebap1175.html

I have just one suggestion, STAY AWAY from the Oreck air purifiers, they're just an overpriced fan, they don't work at all, I want a regular air purifier with an EPA filter with very low noise, any good suggestions??

 

[goodtime]

A good purifier is always great to have to get rid of junk we breath. I'm against air sprays that mask problems and potentially unsafe to our health.

My father was a smoker, I put a small old Philips purifier near his ashtray, this was pre-HEPA days. It got rid of the aroma and no more oily film coating around the home.

May save yourself some money, if it's coming thru the door. Consider add door lining foam around the interior of door frame. As well as a door strip to cut down gaps around the door. In shared units, it may also come thru the air vents, in which case air purifier it is.

I stayed in lower manhattan post-911, gov issued Honeywell HEPA purifier, the large round drum type. It was amazing the stuff that it traps, even greasey cooking. But it was noisy unit, so you have to consider the white noise from the fan.

 

[Manji]

Was thinking of getting an Air Filter as well....

Had one before but it was just a pain in the ass to keep changing the filter and some other shit that had to be changed....

Aren't there Air Filters that don't need to be changed?
And if so, how are they?

 

[drlove]

You can get some that just have a metal rod on the inside that you wipe clean with a cloth; No filters.

 

[lonely guy]

I have an Ionic Breeze (Sharper Image). I love it and it works fine.

 

[drlove]

I have an Ionic Breeze (Sharper Image). I love it and it works fine.

Can you really notice a difference though, compared to not having one?? As well, they may be effective against dust etc, but can they really eliminate tobacco smoke to the point where I can't detect it??

I'm half tempted to spend the $400 on an SP instead.

 

[Garrett]

I have an Ionic Breeze (Sharper Image). I love it and it works fine.

The Ionic Breeze has had a lot of (bad) press. See here for a sample:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7391185/

I find most of the small ionic solutions do not work well. You need a good active cleaner to drive results. These are often large with big fans.

 

[PHNINE]

I have the $500 Sharp one myself. I am a smoker, but when at home I only smoke in the bathroom. I keep this unit in the bathroom and it pretty much takes care of all the smell and smoke. They work, but if you want maximum efficiency you got to clean it often. But there nothing to it, just a quick wipe down. The real filter doesn't need to be changed for years. But there is screen that needs to be wiped down every week for maximum efficency. Go for it Doc. And while you're at it, book that $400 SP as well. We all need to splurge sometimes. LOL

 

[baltimoron]

The only thing from Sharper Image that I bought which worked for me was an air mattress, and it's hard to mess that up.

Everything else I bought from Sharper Image was a gyp, and their Ionic Breeze commercials are just coming on too often and too strong. I just don't buy into their propaganda. To me, buying an air purifier is one step closer to buying bottled air, which is like bottled water, a total rip-off and marketing gimmick.

I'm partial to the George Carlin approach. The more germs your body is exposed to, the stronger your immunity system gets.

 

[goodtime]

Sharper image

Neat store with gadgets. Haven't brought anything but usually spend a lot of time trying out massage chairs, etc.