Showing posts with label home air cleaner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home air cleaner. Show all posts

Friday, July 3, 2015

BestAir PF2020-1 Carbon Infused Pet Filter 20x20x1

This isn't too shabby of a price for a MERV 8 filter, let alone a MERV 11. I don't know if it's all MERV 11 filters, or just this one, but the down side is that it is so thick that it practically stops the air. I have a little box fan/air filter thing going on and when I put this in, my fan's output gets cut in half. I have a feeling that's just what you get when you have a higher grade filter though. Either way, awesome price. I'm sure it's great for furnace's, but it's not so great on home-rigged fan/filter systems!

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Holmes HAP716-U True HEPA 3 Speed Tower Allergen Remover

You might say I have OCD when it comes to dust. I've always had to deal with a thin film of it building up on my desk over the course of just a day or two, so when I gave my office a total makeover, I decided that I would do everything to eliminate as much dust as possible. I bought the Holmes True-HEPA tower about a week ago and I couldn't be happier. I run it 24/7, usually on 3, but sometimes on 1 or 2 if I'm on the phone or something (although it isn't really too loud). After a week, there's not a speck of dust in sight. I never expected it to work so well!

Another plus is that the pre-filter is washable, so you don't have to purchase two sets of replacement filters. Most of the other purifiers that I researched used incredibly expensive filters. I could have easily just purchased a brand new air purifier for the same price. But the filters for the Holmes True-HEPA tower are only half the price of the device itself, which isn't bad at all, in my opinion.

The bottom line is: if you have serious issues with dust, household odors, or allergies, this is the best $80 you will ever spend.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

6 Inch Hydroponic Inline Air Carbon Filter Odor Control

the one i received doesn't look like the picture. the bottom, despite the product description, is capped with sheet metal. i'm not sure what i received really. it could be cheap and ineffective; how am i to know? no label on the product. the box has X3069 on it. but that doesn't tell me anything. really strange purchase. a relatively blank box arrives at my door w/ out a packing slip, invoice, or product labeling. would not recommend purchasing mystery items...

i'm beginning to see a trend with Amazon sellers selling (or what i call 'dumping off') what appear to be not-as-pictured or used/slightly scratched stuff. just got a nextgen 400/600 ballast that looks used. 2 very dissappointing purchases in a row.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

NewAir AC12000E 12,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

The NewAir portable AC definitely works. Lots of cold air comes pouring out of this thing, but it may not be exactly what you're looking for. It's good for some things and not so good for others. Let me explain.

I have an office/media room on the top floor of my house. It's basically an attic/loft that gets pretty warm in the summer. Central air is pumped into the room, but not much air comes through the vents. My homeowner's association will not allow window AC units, so I thought this would be an excellent alternative. The unit is portable and the window exhaust vent is not noticeable from the outside. The unit looks nice and is sturdy. I like the remote control and the digital thermostat on the front of the unit. It rolls nicely on it's casters. Hooking up the hose and exhaust vent was easy. However, my expectations may have been too high.

First, the room is about 150-200 square feet. The unit is not able to cool the room down much at all. The room is tolerable if you're sitting with the unit pointed in your direction as you can feel the cool air. That's about as good as it got. Also, the hose and exhaust vent got really hot during operation. Not sure if the heat radiating out from it canceled out the AC, but it was noticeable. To the unit's credit, the room has a skylight that acts just like a magnifying glass, so I'm sure some of the heat in the room is the result of it. Plus, there are three other windows with only blinds pulled. Maybe putting some opaque curtains up would help keep the temp down.

Second, the unit is very loud. Even on the low setting the compressor fills the room with a loud buzzing sound. If I'm working at my computer with headphones on, it's not a problem. But if I'm trying to watch a movie or play video games on the TV it's downright impossible.

Needless to say, I'm a little disappointed with the unit. I spent almost $400 on this thing and it doesn't really work the way I wanted it to. There are a few tweeks I can make to the room to help it along, but I guess I'm just going to have to get used to it.

Save 33% Off

Saturday, June 6, 2015

3M Filtrete Ultra Clean Air Purifier

I spent a great deal of time comparing different purifiers: cost, performance, ease of use, noise, filter replacement, etc. This unit is superb in every respect. The unit is large but is very handsome and blends in well with the room. It has a very smooth fan that is not too loud but but you can really feel it move the air. There is one filter to replace and they are not terribly expensive and easy to find. In short, I think this unit really meets my needs while being fairly inexpensive and, over the past 6 months, 100% reliable.

Save 10% Off

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

14911 Sears Kenmore Humidifier Wick Filter

These are not true Kenmore filters. The real Kenmore filters are way better. I like saving a buck as much as the next guy,and i always shop for the lowest price whenever i can,but this filter is junk. On rare occasions,it pays to get the original parts,THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES. You even have to be careful when you buy these from Sears. Buy them straight from SEARS.COM , and not from the PARTS department. The generic filters don't soak up water very well, the real Kenmore filters will draw water throughout the entire filter,making them 80% more effective.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Hoover Windtunnel Air Bagless Upright

I'll start this review by saying straight offI have two Dysons. I also have three birds, three cats, a six-year old child, a husband that telecommutes from home, a big garden, and a father that golfs on dusty courses and brings back a lot of sand and dirt, so our vacuums are put to work on a very regular basis. We vacuum several times a day.

The Hoover was actually a pleasant surprise. While it's not as powerful as the Dyson, it's not nearly as expensive.

Pros:

Suction is excellent. Gets up tons of cat hair, feathers, dirt, dust, litter, seed, etc.

Works great on rugs and bare floors. It's also really great at getting stuff up from the grout, which other vacuums can miss.

Very easy to empty.

Lightweight but not flimsy.

Easy to switch between modes.

Very few attachments to lose and deal with.

Not too noisy.

Long cord.

No bags.

The cons:

Doesn't navigate like the Dyson, but that's actually a pro in some ways. My mom has really bad arthritis in her hands and can't use the Dyson because of the way it navigates but she CAN use this. So for those with joint issuesthis can be a plus.

The hose assembly is a bit tricky. But that seems to be the case on ALL vacuumsone of our Dysons has a terrible hose assembly that requires way too much work to get the attachments on, so I think this might be another "across the board" issue.

As others have noted, sometimes pet hair can get wrapped around the cone inside the canister, and when you empty the vacuum you have to reach in and pull it out. Kinda gross.

All in all, it's a powerful vacuum. Not as powerful as the Dyson, but not as pricey or "fussy", either. I definitely recommend it for those who don't want or need a Dyson but want something powerful and easy to use and empty.

Save 35% Off

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Electrolux EL5020A Intensity Upright Vacuum Cleaner

This little vacuum packs in power and innovative design. From the first try, I was amazed at the suction. The first time through the house I quickly filled the bag and had to change it. The Intensity pulled up all the little carpet fuzz on the 3-year-old carpet that my old vacuum could never get. It has more power than any other vacuum I've used.

The collapsing design is a nice feature. It folds up into a neat little package that fits easily on a closet floor without running into the coats. I love the controls on the top of the handle. You can go from bare floor to carpet with the touch of a button. The cord retracts nicely. The bag is easy to change, though a bit small, well, because the vacuum is small.

I discovered a nice fail-safe feature when I tried to finish the room when the full bag light was on. The vacuum shut off. I waited a bit to let it cool down, changed the bag, and it started right up. So pay attention to that light.

Overall, the design is fantastic. A couple improvements though would make it even better. For it's small size, light weight and those big wheels, it doesn't corner all that easily. The front is nice and flat and has an edge for going under cabinets, but since the front is the same width as the back, you can't go straight under cabinets. You have to go at an angle and keep adjusting the position. So making the front part a little wider than the back would make going under cabinets a breeze.

Also, if it didn't have that big carrying handle on the top of the canister, it would vacuum right under the bed. The handle isn't positioned well anyway for doing stairs, because when you hold it by the handle to maneuver on stairs, it's too back heavy and tips back. A handle placed a little farther back on the canister would solve that problem and it would vacuum under the bed.

There are no attachments with this vacuum, but I prefer that it do it's job on the floors and I use a cordless vacuum for furniture, edging and stairs anyway.

Please don't write this vacuum off as a secondary, light-duty vacuum. Even though it's small, it's a full-duty whole house vacuum with plenty of suction.

Monday, April 13, 2015

Austin Air Pre-Filter for HealthMate

I was shocked at how much dust the pre-filter collected. I remove the pre-filter monthly and just vacuum it and reinstall it. The pre-filter helps your filter to last longer.

I have had my HealthMate Plus for 9 years and it has literally saved my health.

Sometimes I even take the pre-filter and hang it in the shower and spray it. The dirty water is in the tub. When I vacumm the pre-filter I tack the pre-filter to the wall and use a hand vac to get it dust free.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Austin Air HealthMate+ Jr. HM250

I bought this air purifier for my art studio because it advertised the ability to filter out VOC's and can absorb gases for chemically sensitive people. As a painter with a poorly-ventilated studio that is next to other artists' studios, I needed something that would clear the air of painting fumes. So far, the filter has worked great. The air that comes out of it is clean, and I find it is powerful, given it's size. Once I accidentally left it on over the weekend on the first setting (because you can't hear it when it is on low) and my studio smelled and felt very clean.

The downside is that it does not have a filter change indicator, leaving me clueless as to when the filters should be changed. I assume that if it is working in "dirtier" conditions than the next air filter, it would need changing more often than the stated filter change recommended in the manual. And be assured, the HEPA filter is expensive ($140) and needs to be changed yearly. The prefilters are cheaper ($10) and need to be changed more often.

On its higher setting, it is not a quiet machine, but it is not loud either. It makes an almost inaudible hum with a distinct noise like wind passing through a small space, but it does not bother me -in fact, I find it comforting. The noise is comparable to, if not less than, the Honeywell (I also own). The lesser two settings are very quiet.

The other trivia fact about it that I didn't know until purchasing it is that the clean air that comes out is directed at a 45 degree angle up and sideways from the vent. I am not sure why it was designed to be that way.

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.

Save 43% Off

Sunday, March 8, 2015

HOMEIMAGE True HEPA Air Purifier Replacement Filter

This is the second time I have ordered this replacement filter. I have the Home Image True HEPA Air purifier HI-9908 and purchased this what was supposed to be the replacement filter, however it does not fit in the HI-9908E. It's the right width but not long enough. The first time I thought I purchased the wrong filter so I went back on Amazon and purchased it again, nope it doesn't fit it again. What a waste!

Save 25% Off

Friday, March 6, 2015

BestAir A12W Aprilaire 12 Paper Wick Waterpad

I chose this item as a less expensive substitute for the Apilaire water pad. After using it for a few weeks, I ntoiced a puddle of water on the floor around the furnace. After opening the furnace, I found about a half-inch of water at the bottom of the air return duct and some water inside the furnace. I removed the water pad from the humidifer and noticed that there was about a 1/2 inch gap between the top of the pad and the bottom of the water distribution tray. I don't remember whether it was like this when I first installed it ( I think that it was) or whether it may have shrunk or deformed after being wet for some time. In either event, because of the gap, if the air flow through the humidifer is strong enough, the air blows the water dripping off the bottom of the distribution tray directly into the air duct instead of allowing it to dtip onto the top of the pad. Through time, it accumulates at the bottom of the duct and eventually leaks into the furnace and onto the floor. This product is not suitable for use in an Aprilaire model 440 humidifer. Do not buy it. Spend a few dollars more and buy the Aprilaire replacement pad which is a stiffer material instead of this paper-like material and does not have a gap between the top of the pad and the bottom of the distribution tray.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

BISSELL Healthy Home Upright Vacuum Cleaner

I've been using the original Bissell Healthy Home vac for nearly two years and have been extremely pleased with it. This updated version builds upon the strengths of the original and adds a few new features.

My biggest complaint with the original Healthy Home was the weight. Bissell has addressed this common complaint by making the new model lighter by a few pounds. But, the lighter weight appears to come at the expense of solid construction parts like the handle and collection bin feel less substantial. I know you can't equate durability with weight, but my initial impression of the new model was that it's less resistant to the knocks and bruises that vacs tend to take. Too early to tell, however. It has a five year warranty like the old model.

Assembly is a snap two screws for the handle (which are no longer recessed, so they are easy to get in) and two screws for the cord wrap.

Operationally, the new vac preforms just as well as the old model. I have seven cats. Yes, seven. This is the house where vacuums get put to the test. The Bissell takes all that is thrown at it with nary a problem. The carpet suction is excellent; the tool suction is good. Easy to maneuver with large, non-marring wheels.

As in the old model, the carpet beater can be turned off for hard floor or very delicate/thin carpet use. The switches have been repositioned so they are less prone to being hit accidentally. The beater has a clutch, so if it gets bound up in something it stops turning rather than burn out the belt. The belt is (according to Bissell) a "life time" belt.

The carpet height is adjustable with a knob. I prefer that type of manual adjustment since the auto adjust models from other brands never seem to get it right on some carpets. Doing it manually lets you set a higher height for more delicate rugs, and a lower, more aggressive height for rugs that need to be churned up more to get the pet hair/dirt out.

The HEPA filter has been moved from the side of the vac to under the collection bin. According to Bissell this allows for better functionality/cleaner exhaust. Seems to work fine, but the old method also worked well. Having the filter in-line does make the vac narrower that's probably the main benefit.

It still has the foam (washable) pre-filter. Great feature to have since it extends the life of the non-washable HEPA. I've been getting about 18 months life out of the HEPA filters in the old model.

The hose routing has been changed. It's a bit harder to dislodge than the old model for tool use, but still fairly easy compared with other vacs I've used.

The collection bin is also easy to take off and empty. I prefer bagless since I can't stand paying for bags. The new bin has straight sides to help get all the crud out. Still, dumping out the bin of any bagless vac can be messy, and you sometimes have to reach in to get out the big clumps of light-weight material (such as cat hair). If you have major allergies or just don't like to deal with this, you may want to consider a bagged model.

Tips:

1) Every so often take the collection bin apart and wash it out. Very fine dust can collect in the upper cyclonic chamber, and can affect performance. Make sure all parts are bone dry before putting them back on the vac.

2) I recommend you replace the plastic wand with an aluminum wand. You can get it at the Bissell site online (register online and you'll get free shipping). The metal wand is more robust than the plastic and also has positive click stops to ensure it does not fold up when you push hard.

3) The contour head is also a nice add-on if you have pets. It is a non-powered head (unlike the included turbo head) which is good for more delicate fabrics or furniture throws with loose threads that can snag. You can get it from Bissell or Amazon.

4) If you want a full-size floor brush, the models from Sears fit the Bissell.

In summary, this is an excellent vac. The new model takes a couple of steps forward and perhaps only a half-step back (construction quality). If you can get the old model at a discount, it's well worth it if you can deal with the weight. If not, this model is also highly recommended.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

FILTER AIR REPL #CAF2

Why did they discontinue this filter? It's very frustrating when you can't replace something you've used for years. If anyone knows where they can be ordered please give a clue. Thanks, Theresa Renner

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Steam Fast Microfiber Cloths

Product is great.

Had a problem with shipping charges, which the company read about in my Amazon review. They contacted me and resolved the problem quickly and professionally.

Will order from them when the need arises -customer service is rare these days and I appreciate it.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Honeywell 4B-H703 Central Vacuum Power Unit

This product really sucks! I could't resist the juvenile pun. Recently installed one of these as a replacement for an older vac unit that bit the dust. 4,000 square foot home with 5 inlets. Works great. Plenty of suction power, easy to install and easy to empty. Great price too. Two thumbs up for a mid range central vac unit.

Save 36% Off

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

SPT Polar Bear Ultrasonic Humidifier

I already have a Hello Kitty Crane type Humidifier and almost got another but decided to get this Polar Bear one instead. I'm glad I got this one for my bedroom since it's about half the size of Hello Kitty and is easy to refill (a bit more easier than Hello Kitty).

It's not heavy as the HK one can get and it's easier to clean too. On the Medium setting (which would be halfway to to the MAX settingsince there's no actual words printed on the unit, just dots), it lasted for almost 3 days straight on a full tank and then it turned off automatically when empty. It works really well even though it's smaller.

Hello Kitty does not turn off like this one does when the tank is empty, the HK stays on with a red light glowing. This one really does turn off and doesn't keep using your electricity like the HK one does.

Plenty of steam comes from the nose of the bear on MAX but the things near it will get wet easily fairly quickly. I recommend the Medium setting and you'll get the best output for moisture that isn't too much or too little. Plus it'll last for days (2 days and a half or so for me and even though the tank isn't real big, it lasts a long while more than the HK one. It's really nice not have to refill so often).

Hello Kitty has a soft blue night light feature, but it does get a little hot at the base. No fire issues for me though and I've had mine for years.

The Polar Bear's base gets warm but it's no where near hot and when it turns off due to an empty tank, it really does turns off (unlike HK which stays on and continues to be hot at the base).

I get sinusitis often due to polyps so this humidifier is a must for me. I sleep better because of it.

This unit is probably the safest option/version for your kids since it doesn't get heated like the Crane ones (I do like the Crane units except for the heat issue).

I highly recommend this Polar Bear. It's blue and white and very cute/charming with the bear having a clear blue tummy. (The HK model is hard to see the water level unless you turn on the night light and it's dark in the room.)

I'm thinking of buying another for my sister. Just wish it had a night light feature like the Hello Kitty one does. Thank you for reading my review :)

Save 22% Off

Sunday, December 21, 2014

GE Air Purifier Charcoal Filter Kit

I ordered a Airpurifier HEPA filter so I saw the charcoal filters and when I bought my unit it only came with the Hepa filter so I never tried it till I got these the HEPA filter does a good job but it does not take the oders out of the air the charcoal does I have noticed a difference with the charcoal filter in it. I recommend useing one.

Sunday, December 14, 2014

14x18x1 (Actual Size) Accumulair Gold 1-Inch Filter

I used to have to run around every 3 months in search for 3-M filter in this size (14x18x1). However, I could not find any in December 2012 when I need to change the filter. Fortunately, I found this product here at Amazon. The 4-pack shipment came quickly, without damage and the filter fits perfectly! I am now set for 1 year before having to purchase filters again... Saving time, gas and having filters readily on hand when I need them. Thank you for making this product available!

Update (28-Apr-2013)

After 3 months of use, the filter was still as white as when I put it in 3 months ago! A $1.00 would have caught more dirt than this filter! I have now bought enough 3M filters to ensure the air I breath is clean! I tried to look up an address to write or a telephone numb to call the company but I could not locate it anywhere, including their website! In other words,their warranty does not seem to worth a dime!

PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS BRAND!!!