Panasonic MC-UL915 "Jet Force" Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

I am an Oreck girl, I have used their machines for years; but I was starting to get a little curious about all the new technology out there and was wondering how they were going to improve on a relatively simple piece of equipment.

Panasonic has really impressed me with this vacuum.

First of all, this monster is heavy so the idea of hauling it up and down stairs will not appeal to most users. With that being said, it is my only complaint.

I decided to put this new fangled machine to the test, I hauled out my Oreck, vacuumed the living room, it looked pretty good, no complaints, then I brought out the Panasonic. I darn near vacuumed up a small dogs worth of fur and dirt. Actually, I do not know where the dirt came from unless it was down in the pads somewhere. Just makes you wonder what you are walking on in your bare feet.

That was impressive. Now, on to the next test.

Power cord. Finally, a cord that is long enough that I do not have to keep repositioning it around the house.

The attachments snap on and off easily, and with the right tool for the right job easily accessible on the machine itself and not needing a small mini vac that is now coming with Oreck vacuums, why would you not complete the job the right way the first time.

Suction power is unbelievable whether you are using the easy to control carpet or bare floor adjustment or the hand tools, so be careful of what you are using the attachments on.

No vacuum bags, the built in canister is easy to empty, though the instructions do call for it being rinsed from time to time with water, I cannot see the need for this too frequently even with two dogs in the house.

And last but not least, even though this machine is on the heavy side it does its job well, everything is there where you need it. No need for vacuum bags, no need to move cords constantly and no need to have someone else do the little vacuuming attachment type of jobs. A good overall vacuum that does what it is supposed to do the first time. What more could you ask for?

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Premier Zero Waste Reverse Osmosis System

This system produces a good amount of very clean sediment-, mineraland chlorine-free water with fresh filters, quality is close to distilled water. At full pressure, you can get nearly 2 gallons from the tap in about 5 minutes. Run continuously (once the tank empties) ours squeezes out about a gallon per hour after that. With moderate use and a relatively clean supply, the carbon block and sediment filters will easily last a year. We use it for all beverages in our household of 4, including about 40 gallons per month for homebrewing. I haven't replaced the RO membrane in ours after 4 years, but will probably do so at the next filter change. So it's a pretty good value compared to buying bottled or spring water.

However, keep in mind that because it is "zero waste," the waste water will be pumped back into your house supply. This is great if you run the system and then run the clothes or dishwasher, but if you've emptied the tank on the RO and need hot water from your kitchen sink or bathroom shower, you'll get cold water first, then lukewarm after that. Likewise, your cold tap will give you warm water until all that waste water gets run through. This can be annoying.

Second, though you are saving water by reusing the filter byproduct, a water pump is a mandatory part of this system. It remains plugged in to a wall socket at all times to maintain positive pressure on the system, and under full load, you can hear it running it isn't loud, but it can be noticeable. You also have a substantial ghost load on your house electricity; the external power supply at the socket gets warm and stays warm, as does the pump itself when it's running. So you're basically saving a resource at the expense of a continuous energy drain.

Bottom line, nice product if you value super-clean water for your family or hobbies, but there are some trade-offs.

Honeywell QuietCare PermaFilter Humidifier

After years of replacing cool-mist filters, I wanted to try a humidifier with a so-called permanent filter. The noise is not really any more bothersome than other cool-mist humidifiers on the market. The problem with this product is the filter system. For the first month or so, I was able to keep the filter clean per the product instructions. But then, as with all cool mist humidifiers, the filter accumulates dust from the air intake and other mineral deposits. Unfortunately, it is absoultely impossible to clean the deposits and debris out of the interior wicking of the filter. The manufacturer's instructions say (in fact warn) only to clean the unit using vinegar...well, that method only works for some of the mineral deposits for the first 4 weeks or so. Plus, even with the vinegar method, you can't get the particles washed out of the interior of the filter! So after 3 months, the perma-filter doesn't retain sufficient moisture to effectively humidify the air. You are better off buying a regular cool-mist humidifier with a filter that can be replaced every few months. It will save you time, money and frustration. I have never written a review of any product before but this product is so poor that I felt compelled to do so at this time and warn others not to make the same mistake I made. This is truly one of the worst products I have ever purchased.

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Aprilaire Model 4400 Media Air Cleaner

I want to buy 4400 for carrier furnace mvb 080-20, actually most furnace dimensions are quite close, this filter has 3 sizes, close but not well fit. I really don't understand why Aprilaire uses wide grill at the side near the front, which reduces the furnace return area, this compliant to what I said: most designers are stupid.

Honeywell F300E doesn't have this drawback, yet over priced.

Airpura T600 Air Purifier

While I would prefer to smoke my cigars on the porch, the weather has forced me inside. I had to get something to deal with the lingering odor. This unit was expensive, but it works. Im not sure how long the charcoal filter will last, but for now it is handling at least two cigars daily indoors.

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New High Quality HEPA Air Cleaner Filter 2-PACK Designed To Fit Holmes

I bought these and they made my air cleaner so noisy that you couldn't stand to be in the room when it was running. I tried a Honeywell HRF-H1 true hepa filter instead although the HRF-H1 filter isn't listed for this unit and it fits and performs just like the original filter did. The sound levels are back to normal with the HRF-H1 and it is a true hepa filter, not a "hepa type" filter.

Shop-Vac 8017062 Air Cleaner Filter Replacement Kit

Purchased this after trashing my old one over the years, fit and works great! I use the bag inserts to collect debris in my shopvac, so one filter lasts for years of use and multiple cleanings.

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