Tuesday, March 31, 2015

BUNN 28696 2.15-Liter Push Button Airpot Coffee/Tea Dispenser

Works great. It's a taller than I expected... a bit large for my kitchen counter. We bought it because we found we were throwing out so much coffee and wasting money. The pot has helped keep coffee fresh and hot for several hours, so we aren't throwing coffee/money down the drain. If you are one to throw out old coffee because it tastes burnt or is cold, the pot will pay for itself in no time. If the coffee drinkers in your household wake up at different hours, this pot is the perfect solution to not having to make another pot.

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BEM1040/BEM1042 Bemis Aftermarket Humidifier Wick Filter

I order this thinking it was that exact same type of filter. It is an off brand not what is picture on website. To send it back it would cost me the same as I paid for it. Really be sure you want an item from this company the due charge a re-stock fee and will take some back for return shipping. The filter is like a honeycome style filter only half as much surface area. I did not receive any type of resolution after my inial email so I'm going have deal with it and buy directly from the manufacture.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Surround Air XJ-3000SF Spare Filter

This is the replacement filter for the surround air. After I had spent months doing research on different air filtration systems, I did not just look at infomercials. I decided on surround air because it had 5 levels if purification and sanitizing. It was not super expensive. It had a longer warrenty than most. And a very important detail is that it was not expensive to maintain changing filters and such, it turns out to be about $2.50 a month. That seems a fair price to pay for waking with a clear nose and no headache.

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Oreck Insight Vacuum Cleaner

I love this vacuum. It is very lightweight, reaches under my furniture easily, and is self propelled! Also, I found this thing sucks up just about anything so be careful:). With my other vacuum I found myself running over the same piece of paper or dirt 10 times until I finally bent over to pick it up. With 3 kids and a dog I need something with more power. I prefer a vacuum with a bag because cleanup on a bagless is so messy. I bought mine from Sears for about the same price much cheaper than a Dyson I was considering and I am well pleased.

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Sunday, March 29, 2015

Biozone air Purifier Standard Units

We've had the biozone 2000 for a couple of days, and it is a completely different animal than the two Whispure HEPA air purifiers in our home. It does not filter that air, but rather it appears to fundamentally affect its composition. As soon as you turn it on (it's runs almost totally silent), your nose will pick up a faint smell of ozone. And VERY fresh air coming from the vents. It's a powerful little machine: we put it in the room where the litterbox for our cats are, and it wiped out all smell in about 15 minutes. Even on its lowest speed, you can feel its effect all over our 1500 sq ft. house. The only downside is that it does leave a faint ozone trace in the air, and at high speeds a metallic odor. So, we run it on its lowest speed. But I highly recommend the biozone it's no toy, but a serious air cleaner. Great for a pet room or any other space that has odor. But don't buy one that is too large it can far exceed your needs. If you have 500 sq feet of need, buy the Biozone 500, not the 1000 or 2000. Our unit may be overkill for our house. But boy, does it work!

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Midea 8K BTU Portable AC

Completely unattractive design that would be ok if it was able to cool somewhat. 8000 BTUs just does not work unless you have very low expectations. The gigantic display is like some spaceship control panel. Very bizarre. Try calling manufacturer's customer service, if you're lucky enough to get someone, it can be quite comical. very very unrecommended.

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Saturday, March 28, 2015

Sebo G1 Essential Upright Vacuum Cleaner

I have owned this vacuum for 6 years, after turning in a Kenmore upright that was a piece of heavy junk I had owned for 2 years. I purchased the vacuum at a local store, and can either get filters and bags there, or on line. No problem! I went on a cruise to Bermuda from NY 2 years ago and I saw the ship cleaning crew using the exact same vacuum. It is really light weight, never ever clogs and is powerful, and will not tear up rugs or hurt utility cords when you clean over them. I had a RICCAR for 12 years, prior to the Kenmore, and thought it was the best vacuum, but this beats even the RICCAR.

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2 Kenmore HEPA Filter #86889

I was spending a lot of money at Sears for these filters. How happy I was to find this seller. The filters arrived in less than a week and I thoroughly examined them expecting to find some difference but found them to be exactly the same as Sears. I will never buy them at Sears again. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Friday, March 27, 2015

Honeywell QuietClean Compact Tower Air Purifier

We bought this one to replace a larger Honeywell tower that had burned out the motor bearings. We have a room dedicated to small parrots, and they produce a lot of dander that we don't want to spread into the rest of the house. Our old Honeywell worked well, but it was hard to clean and fairly loud. This new one is much quieter, and works just as well, filtering a great amount of dander out of the air. It is far easier to clean, and the fact that no filters ever need to be replaced was a major reason for our purchase. It is running constantly, but it is virtually unnoticeable. We have tried several air purifiers over the years, and this is by far the best we have had.

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Dirt Devil Power Air Lightweight Stick Vac

If you're looking for a quick rating of the Dirt Devil's performance, it gets five stars. But as they say, the devil is in the details. Below is a brief overview, with discussion to follow.

Pros:

* Very powerful suction

* Assembles quickly

* Large dirt cup capacity

* Removal of dirt cup is fast

* Fairly quiet

* Electric cord length is about 20'

* Sturdy wheels

* Low-profile cleaning head

* Capable of hanging storage

Cons:

* Replacement of dirt cup requires precision

* Weight of vacuum a factor in some cases

* Plastic casing

If you are accustomed to a battery powered stick vacuum, you will be pleasantly surprised at the performance of this electric powered, lightweight, stick vacuum. It has the ability to pick up small and larger pieces of dirt on both hard floors and those with carpeting. (It performed beautifully on tile floors, oriental rugs, and thickly padded, dense carpeting.) And this is despite not having a vacuum's traditional beater bar with bristles. It does have a toothed, small, rubber strip that may assist in lifting dirt to be sucked into the unit.

To assemble, simply attach the cleaning head to the unit. The handle (stick) clicks into place and is attached to the vacuum. Depending on your proficiency, this can take from one to three minutes.

The dirt cup is located on the front of the unit. That makes it very easy to remove and empty. However, replacing it is not so easy and fast. I couldn't align the cup to the unit by bending over the vacuum. To do it, I had two choices. I could put the vacuum on the kitchen counter (not hygienic) or, put the stick under my arm with the unit resting against my body. In that position, I could see how to align the two pieces. Being short, this may be a problem only for me and not for most consumers.

Four plastic wheels move this vacuum; two tiny ones at the front of the cleaning head and two much larger ones in the rear. Not having rubber wheels means no residue peeling off as you vacuum--a definite plus.

The cleaning head is 1 ½" in height. This low profile means that getting under a low sitting piece of furniture is possible. The center of the head is higher so, only one-half of the head will fit. That gives you several inches of clearance to clean. Beyond that, you would have to move the piece of furniture. If you've ever thoroughly vacuumed, leaving a visible dust line just under a hard-to-reach item, you'll appreciate this feature.

The electric cord length is ample for cleaning a generously-sized area. Of course, it needs to be relocated as you move from space to space. The cord probably won't stretch up a flight of stairs, but the unit's weight (about seven pounds) might discourage you from using it there. The cord stores neatly when wrapped in the place provided.

Storage should not be a problem. It stands upright on its own. Its size makes it an excellent choice for those with little storage capacity. Additionally, the manufacturer has thoughtfully provided a very large `O' at the top of the stick, for storing the vacuum in a hanging position.

A possible negative feature may be the vacuum's plastic casing. It doesn't appear to be very strong. For example, hanging it on my garage wall with heavier items, means that I have to be very careful to not let them touch one another, for fear of cracking the vacuum's casing. Or, if I hang it and it falls, will it still be useable? Think of where you store bikes, carriages, strollers, suitcases, sports equipment, etc. and try to keep them from your Dirt Devil.

Overall, this stick vacuum is devilishly good.

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Thursday, March 26, 2015

WEB WECO Eco Filter Adjustable

Well, this was exactly what it said it was, however, my home's filter size is 20 x 12. So, with a little cutting and drilling, it will fit, and I've got two mesh inserts, so I can just swap out instead of washing, drying, and then replacing. Great product!

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4 Robitussin Humidifier Replacement Wick Filter

The product met my expectations. The filters work perfect in may Robitussin Humidifier as espected. The only problem, they came in an open bag, it was not really the most apealing package

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Frigidaire FAD704DWD Energy Star 70-pint Dehumidifier

The last 5 dehumidifiers I have purchased (3 Kenmore dehumidifiers and 2 Frigidaires) have all failed within 5 years of purchase and 2 of the 4 have failed within a year of purchase. In my experience the reliability of dehumidifiers in general has diminished greatly over the years. So every time I have to purchase another, I do the research all over again and I find myself going in circles. All brands seem to have similar complaints having to do with longevity.

Consequently, I always purchase an extended warranty now. For the $40 or so that they cost, it gives you some peace of mind that at least you will be able to get a replacement if the dehumidifier should break down outside of the manufacturers warranty period.

My first Frigidaire dehumidifier was the FAD704TDP, purchased in April 2011. That lasted just slightly over a year before breaking down. The compressor failed. I was in luck because even though the 1-year warranty had just expired, the compressor was warrantied for 5-years. Whew, dodged a bullet there.

I had read elsewhere that Frigidaire was notoriously difficult to deal with regarding warranty repair/replacement. In my experience, what Frigidaire does instead of sending you a new unit is to "buy back" your old unit. You don't return it to them, they just send you a check. Fortunately Frigidaire "bought" my defective unit back from me and using the proceeds I was able to replace it with the FAD704DUD. Contrary to some peoples hassles with Frigidaire warranty issues, I had no problem whatsoever with my interaction with Frigidaire. The check was sent to me promptly and with no problems.

I did a lot of further research and decided that all manufacturers had their share of disgruntled customers so I decided to give Frigidaire another chance and purchased my second Frigidaire dehumidifier, the FAD704DUD 70 pint dehumidifier to replace the defective. That one was purchased June 2012 and is still working. However, I live in the North East and right now it's the tail end of winter so the dehumidifier, although it is plugged in and turned on, hasn't actually had to operate since the Fall of 2012. I'm assuming it will work just fine come spring and the ensuing damp weather. But given the history I've had with dehumidifiers, they seem to work no longer than 3-5 years before breaking down, I had an opportunity to get this FAD704DWD and did so even though the dehumidifier I bought last year seemingly still works fine.

The outward appearance of this dehumidifier is identical to the FAD704DUD. The only differences between this 2013 model: FAD704DWD and the 2012 model: FAD704DUD are some minor changes in the specifications:

FAD704DWD (2013) FAD704DUD (2012)

Amps (Cool): 7.8 vs Amps (Cool): 7.2

Horsepower (Cool): 1.00 vs Horsepower (Cool): 1.03

Watts (Cool): 745 vs Watts (Cool): 765

So as you can see, the FAD704DWD uses 20 less Watts of electricity. But as you'll also notice, the Horsepower has been reduced slightly so I'm not sure if the operation of the unit will be quite the same. I do noticed a very minor change in the tone of fan blower. It sounds like it might be running just a touch slower than the last years model. Very minor, but maybe that's all it takes to reduce energy consumption by 20 watts.

When I received the new dehumidifier and removed the tape that secures the collection tank to the unit, I discovered that the float assembly was not attached where it was supposed to be attached and was just flopping around in the bottom of the tank. There was also a broken piece of clear plastic that I still haven't quite figured out where it came from yet. But I plan to take the entire thing apart to find out where it broke off from. I carefully reattached the float assembly and was good to go.,

I like the profile and appearance of this dehumidifier. It's exactly the same dimensions of last years model. It is not very deep nor wide, but it is somewhat tall. It measures roughly 16" wide, 11" deep and 24.5" tall.

The cord length is 6' 6" and there is a cord wrap on the back of the unit. The plug is a 3-prong grounded plug.

The fan is not exceedingly loud but it's not whisper quiet... perfectly tolerable though. If it's in your basement and not in your direct earshot, you probably won't ever hear it operate at all. The fan blows the exhaust out of the top of the unit which I feel it circulates the air better than blowing it out the side which is where some units have the fan output.

The collection container hold 16.3 pints and has a handle to help you carry it over to a sink. However, It just does not have a decent way to tip the bucket easily to pour the water out. I am always sloshing and spilling water all over the place when I try emptying the full bucket. It's awkward. Plus, 16.3 pints may sound like a lot of capacity but it fills rather quickly in my climate so I use the "continuous operation" method. My dehumidifier is located near my sump pump in my basement. I attach a hose to the dehumidifier and route that right into the sump pump. It's a great way to do it because I do not have to be bothered with emptying the dehumidifier and it is able to run continuously.

Overall I'm very pleased with the Frigidaire FAD704DWD 70-pint dehumidifier. I withold 5 stars simply because of the longevity issues I've discussed. Should this prove to be long-lasting, I will update my review and provide an update.

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16x20x4-MERV 12 A/C Furnace Air Filters by Nordic Pure

These filters were purchased in lieu of inoperable cells in an electronic air cleaner. These worked great, but required pretty frequent changes. Probably not the fault of the filter: our house is under a huge tree and we have two basset hounds.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

PURIFIER,THERAPURE AIR,WE

Very reasonable cost.. "I bought two".

It moves air very silently on low and medium to high settings moves a large volume of air and has a very soft and pleasant breeze too.

It can handle frequent door openings as some ion models cannot handle introduction of new "unclean" air into the room without taking a fair amount of time to "reclean" the room.

This handles a large amount of air very quickly when on high and gives off a cool refreshing breeze with a fresh smell.

The Photo catalyst technology is state of the art and the UV technology is great for those who worry about live viruses and bacteria spreading through the family. No filters to replace, but merely vacuum and no blades to replace.

The UV light recommended for killing germs and you have a choice for optional use. If used constantly for about 2 years, the manual recommends replacing to maintain maximum killing power against germs.

For 100 bucks, you can't beat the coverage and "attack on 3 fronts" technologies to keep your room allergen free.

If your room takes allot of abuse from animals, fans, open doors etc.. get this.

If you prefer total silence all the time, I recommend the ION Turbo, but remember its drawbacks as mentioned above.

I don't like the idea of "finding" replacement filters and paying for them as some other models require.... nor do I want to replace blades as the ION turbo requires after about 2 years.

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Husqvarna 7021P 21-Inch 160cc Honda GCV160 Gas Powered 3-N-1 Push Lawn Mower

When it was time to replace my 11 year-old Craftsman, there were a few things I knew I wanted (and a few things I didn't want) in my next mower. I wanted a quality engine with plenty of power and good over-all construction. I wanted it to have a mulching feature, and I prefer the taller rear wheels.

I didn't want my mower to be self-propelled. My 1/3 acre yard is fairly flat and easy to mow. I don't have any trouble pushing a mower around. Self-propelled mowers cost more, weigh more, and have more parts to break. But my biggest reason is you get less power to the blade because the motor is also powering the drive wheels. Just a plain ol' push mower for me, thanks!

The Basics:

The Husqvarna 7021P is a 21" push mower with an excellent 160cc GCV Honda engine. I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but sometime between the purchase of my last mower and this new one, the old standard of horsepower ratings has been replaced by a new "gross torque" rating. This is supposedly a more accurate assessment of a mower's power. I don't know...just go with it. This Honda engine is rated at 6.9 gross torque which is on par with, or somewhat better than, most other walk-behind mowers. And because YOU provide the power to push it, all of that torque is going to the cutting blade. The engine features a new Easy Start auto choke system that just plain works great. There is no primer bulb to push. For a cold start you simply slide the choke lever over, squeeze the safety bar on the handle and pull. Mine has started on the first pull every single time without exception. The choke releases by itself so you don't have to do it, and there is no chance of flooding the engine. Nice. The Honda motor runs smooth and strong. It's not necessarily any quieter than other mowers, but it does have a little deeper tone to it. I like the sound.

There are a few other features that attracted me to the Husqvarna 7021P also. It has double ball-bearing wheels which roll very smooth and easy. This model also has the taller rear wheels which help navigate uneven terrain and bumps like tree roots. The 7021P has three modes for mowing. You can attach a rear bag to catch the clippings, use as a side-discharge mower, or use as a mulcher. I use my mower as a mulcher exclusively. This mower also has a handle which folds easily for compact storage or transport.

Setup:

Set up is super easy. Simply remove the mower from the box, extend and tighten the handle, add the included oil, and add gas. That's it. You're ready to mow.

Performance:

The first time I used this mower I had it set too low. It didn't have any trouble powering through the grass, but it did leave some clumps behind (remember...I'm mulching). But the next time I mowed I raised it up one notch to the one in the middle. Now I don't get any clumps at all, and it's probably a healthier setting for my grass. The cut is very uniform and the yard looks great when I'm done.

Conclusion:

I am very happy with my purchase. Just because I didn't want a self-propelled mower doesn't mean I wanted a disposable piece of junk. The Husqvarna 7021P is a quality mower with a great engine and good build quality. It performs like a champ and leaves my lawn looking well groomed. I highly recommend this mower.

Monday, March 23, 2015

20x25x5 Skuttle Air Filters

Exact replacement, Great price!!!

Will ,definitely, be reordering these filters.

Could not find a better price around town

Installer price was far out

Hamilton Beach 04290FS TrueAir Plug-Mount Air Cleaner Replacement Filter

The 1 star is NOT for the quality but for the error in the description. Please do not make the same mistake I did and order this thinking you are receiving 3 filters. You only recieve 1.

Date written: July 25, 2005.

I have pointed this out to Amazon today so they may change the description so no one else makes this mistake.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Shop Fox W1746 Fine Air Filter

I usually use this either during fine sanding, or using the time-delay feature to leave it running after I leave the shop. Either way it does reduce the amount of "fines" left around the shop

I've had it a year, and with saw-dust, it appears all I need to do is blow the filter out. If I was getting gritty/greasy/oily fines in it I suspect I would have to change filters

Jarden SWM5251-UM Sunbeam Warm Mist Humidifier

My sinuses and eyes get really dry in the winter when the heater is running. I bought one of these exact same models (the 5251) 6 years ago under the Holmes brand name. I wasn't expecting much since many reviews of different sorts of humidifiers out there where often pretty bad. It seemed like many humidifiers require expensive filter replacements, difficult cleaning processes, and they often don't work for long. I am glad to report that after six years, this humidifier is still working flawlessly. It's really easy to clean (I just rinse out the sediment left after boiling off all the tap water). Very helpful with my dryness. I would never live through another winter again without a humidifier, and I've been very happy with this model.

Last year, I decided to get a second one (of the same model, the SWM5251) after moving into a new place with a bigger bedroom. The newer one is this exactly the same but under the Sunbeam brand name instead of Holmes. It's the exact same thing as my old one, so Sunbeam must have bought the technology rights from Holmes or something. Anyway, the Sunbeam is working well now on its second winter, and I expect it will continue to work for several more years just like my first Holmes unit has been doing.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Vicks UV 99.999% Germ Free Humidifier

I just got this unit (Vicks V790) from Amazon. (For several reasons, I greatly prefer the steam-type humidifiers over the cold-mist types.)

Pros It's attractive and well made. Twin independently-fillable water tanks mean you do not have to shut it off to refill it. Holds a lot of water so it does not go dry overnight. Makes a pleasant noise not unlike a drip coffee percolator. The UV lamp feature gives an additional level of sterilization, over and above the boiling action that creates the steam.

Cons The blue LED power light is indeed bright. I turned mine toward the wall, and now it also serves as a night light. (If it really bothers you, a small piece of electrical tape will cover it.)

(EDIT) Previously I complained here about lack of vapor output. But after running it for a few days, output greatly increased. Apparently there is a slight break-in period. Naturally, water usage increased also, as did the boiling noise, but now it's working like it should, and I have adequate RH (30%) even in my large (400 sq. ft.) room. Amazon does not allow me to change the rating, but if I could I would now give it 5 stars.

The replacement mineral absorber pads are the small 2-1/4 inch round size sold here on Amazon under the "Slant Fin" brand. (Don't get the larger 3-1/4 inch Honeywell ones, unless you like trimming to fit with scissors.) You replace the pad when it gets stiff. If you have hard water, this may happen quite frequently.

Remember that all humidifiers require regular maintenance. This is where many owners drop the ball. Every month or so you should put some vinegar in it to dissolve any mineral deposits, and sterilize the tanks with bleach water. The exact procedure is clearly spelled out in the manual. If you disregard this, you will be handsomely rewarded with hard mineral crusts and foul-smelling slimy deposits of algae and bacteria.

In conclusion, I really like this humidifier so far.

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Aprilaire 45 Replacement Water Pad

  • Fits Space-Gard/Aprilaire furnace humidifier models 400, 400A, and 400M.
  • Space-Gard/Aprilaire furnace humidifier filters (evaporator pads).
  • Measures approximately 9 7/8" x 12 7/8" x 1 3/4".
  • 2 wick filters per pack.
  • Honeycomb filtration to trap mineral pollutants found in water and help prevent them from entering your home.

This replacement filter fits the Aprilaire 400 humidifier and is cheaper (including shipping) than purchasing from aprilaire's website (even though they have free shipping).

That being said, this replacement filter is grossly overpriced for what it is. Clearly a profit center for Aprilaire.

I have ordered this part before and have had no issues with this seller. Product arrived quickly.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Sunpentown AC-3000I Magic Clean HEPA Air Cleaner with Ionizer

Bought the AC-3000I for a 10x12 room that gets ample amounts of sun throughout the day, which in turn makes it a favorite for my two dogs. With the combination of sun and dogs comes a significant amount of dust and pet dander. It is, in my opinion, the ideal situation for an "air purifier".

Upon coming home for work, there would literally be a layer of dust and dog hair confined to this space. My hope was that by adding the AC-3000I the dust and dander would be minimized. Expectations were low and I was prepared to accept any kind of improvement as justification of the cost. My first attempt at using the AC-300I on the "low" setting showed absolutely no results. Okay, so maybe this kind of environment justifies cranking it up to "high" (which is significantly louder). Again, there wasn't one bit of difference and this was after 10 hours of use. In fact, you could watch the dust and pet dander particles literally swirl around the room from the purifier fan, but absolutely nothing was begin collected. NOTHING, NADA, ZILCH!

I decided to take a look at the filter to see if perhaps it was clogged or something. Everything was in order so I decided to experiment. I noticed when placing my hand on the "intake" filter area that there is hardly (and that's being generous) any suction on this unit. You'd think with all the air the fan puts out, you'd notice some kind of suction. So I collected a dust bunny to see how close to the unit it had to be to cling to the filter. Try about 3 inches, otherwise the dust would simple fall the floor or spin around the room into oblivion.

The bottom line is this. If you're in the market for something that actually cleans the air, look elsewhere. All this thing does is blow air.

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Purenex GF-01C Single Lever Kitchen Chrome Filter Water Faucet

This looked a perfect replacement for my original which had started to leak. However, the shank was 1/2" too short for me mount it (we have a old sink with a double lip) so I had to get another style.

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Thursday, March 19, 2015

Sharp FZN40HFU Activated Carbon Filter

I bought the filter with this specs because that what it says on my purifier. And after all it was bigger despite on the dimensions. I sent it back. Seller returned my money with a huge delay and charged me for shipping and handling.