Air Purifier for at home. Need suggestions.

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CAMAROBOY69

CAMAROBOY69

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CAMAROBOY69
My gf seems to have pretty bad allergies which get worse every year. We try to keep the house very clean. We dont smoke, dont let anyone else smoke in our house, dont have dogs or cats, and dont wear our shoes in the house. We do have 2 lizzards and 1 turtle.
With that said we try to vacuum at least 2 times a week and dust every couple days. We recently tried the Ionic Pro but were not happy with it. Do any of you recommend an air purifier for at home that has a filter that can be cleaned??
 
The turtle is clearly bad feng shui. Your girlfriend's allergies are merely a clash of chis.


As for air purifiers, the only one I know of is that Oreck one. Don't know how well it works though.
 
The Oreck is a gimmick. It's useless.

With 4 cockatoos, and two cocktiels in my house there is a considerable amount of dust. I have three Hepa Filters that are cranking away and manage to keep most of it under control. I don't recall what the brand is, but will look when I get home.
 
I have been using this one for two years now.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100060599

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Light indicator to replace the carbon pre-filter, which is about once every three months and costs $10-$15, and another indicator for when to clean the HEPA filter, which is about every six months.


I rate in the top 98% of allergy sufferers and live in the allergy ridden Kentucky and this makes my life bearable. The difference between home and my office is blatantly obvious. We also keep it next to the air intake so that air circulation comes through it.

I should note that it is as loud as a large floor fan (three speeds, one a sleep mode available), but it is moving the air as much as a large floor fan, to the point that in the winter we occasionally need to turn it off.

Also, if your GF has a small office or something at work (or even just additional for the bedroom) I can suggest this small unit.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs...langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100404360

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I used it when I had an actual office at work. It has three-stage filtration: Ionic (which can be turned off), carbon pre-filter, and HEPA. This also has a filter indicator light on it.


The large unit is what my allergist recommended. We went through a catalog and he pointed that out as the best for cost effectiveness.


Speaking of, has she been to an allergist? She might just need something like shots or an over-the-counter daily pill.
 
Der Alta
The Oreck is a gimmick. It's useless.
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I figured as much. Actually, my uncle has that Honeywell unit that FK has. It works well but he never uses it because he has two labradors and it just gets clogged with doghair.
 
Omnis
I figured as much. Actually, my uncle has that Honeywell unit that FK has. It works well but he never uses it because he has two labradors and it just gets clogged with doghair.
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It's amazing what running the brush attachment of the vacuum around the outside edge will do.
 
I have the first one that FoolKiller posted (actually mine might be a bit 'bigger', I think it's rated for a bigger room than that one)... works very well in a house with 2 cats and a doggy.
 
We are probably going to start with the 2nd one that Foolkiller posted. Put it in the bedroom and see how she is in the morning. The mornings are when she sneezes the most. Then after an hour or so she is pretty good.
 
CAMAROBOY69
We are probably going to start with the 2nd one that Foolkiller posted. Put it in the bedroom and see how she is in the morning. The mornings are when she sneezes the most. Then after an hour or so she is pretty good.
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Also, replace your heater/air conditioning filter once every 6 months and run the air for circulation. It's one giant air cleaner, you know?

Also, check your vacuum cleaner. I had a Dyson, and the thing was crap compared to our previous model. I went back to an Eureka Boss and it's five times better at picking up small dust particles. And when you replace filters of any kind, do it OUTSIDE, if you can. If not, remove it carefully and get it outside as fast and as smooth as possible. Just bumping it will cause A LOT of dust, some you cannot see, to fall out.
 
Solid Lifters
Also, replace your heater/air conditioning filter once every 6 months and run the air for circulation. It's one giant air cleaner, you know?
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And if you can afford it make sure the filters are HEPA.
 
Solid Lifters
Also, replace your heater/air conditioning filter once every 6 months and run the air for circulation. It's one giant air cleaner, you know?

Also, check your vacuum cleaner. I had a Dyson, and the thing was crap compared to our previous model. I went back to an Eureka Boss and it's five times better at picking up small dust particles. And when you replace filters of any kind, do it OUTSIDE, if you can. If not, remove it carefully and get it outside as fast and as smooth as possible. Just bumping it will cause A LOT of dust, some you cannot see, to fall out.
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Yeah thats our main problem for sure. We dont have central air we only have a window unit for the summer. Our furnace for the winter is about 20 years old. Then to top that off our vacuum is kinda crappy. It works but its not top of the line at all. I do replace the furnace filter every couple months with a hepa filter because like you said its one huge air cleaner. I also vacuum the vents whenever I get the chance. .
 
My parents have a Carrier central air conditioning product. I have a lot of allergies and it cleans the air nicely.
 
FoolKiller
It's amazing what running the brush attachment of the vacuum around the outside edge will do.
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Yeah, it's his house, not mine. I would keep it on to collect the hair. :lol: It's loud and it's a remnant of his ex-wife, though. Maybe that's why he hates it.
 
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Last night we bought the Holmes Harmony Hepa A-Type air Purifier. I was impressed with how much air this little machine pushes around. We plugged it in right before bed last night and my gf never sneezed at all last night. We will try it for a couple weeks and if we like it, we will buy a bigger one for the living room. It is quite loud but thats fine since we sleep with the fan on in the bedroom anyway just for noise. Cant sleep when its quite. But I would not want one that loud in the living room.

Not sure why anything would be in the air since we keep our house so clean, dont smoke, and dont have kids. Maybe its the 2 lizzards or the turtle that could be creating the problem. We keep their tanks clean but who knows, maybe 3 reptiles is too much becuse she never had allergies like this until a couple years ago and they seem to get worse each year.

I am also thinking about getting a brand new central air unit installed this year since we dont have central air. We will see how it goes.
 
CAMAROBOY69
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Last night we bought the Holmes Harmony Hepa A-Type air Purifier. I was impressed with how much air this little machine pushes around. We plugged it in right before bed last night and my gf never sneezed at all last night. We will try it for a couple weeks and if we like it, we will buy a bigger one for the living room. It is quite loud but thats fine since we sleep with the fan on in the bedroom anyway just for noise. Cant sleep when its quite. But I would not want one that loud in the living room.

Not sure why anything would be in the air since we keep our house so clean, dont smoke, and dont have kids. Maybe its the 2 lizzards or the turtle that could be creating the problem. We keep their tanks clean but who knows, maybe 3 reptiles is too much becuse she never had allergies like this until a couple years ago and they seem to get worse each year.

I am also thinking about getting a brand new central air unit installed this year since we dont have central air. We will see how it goes.
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You going to add one of these? http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20047036,00.html
 
That is a really cool system for sure. More than likely I will just have them install it however they want to using our current floor system. If they wanted to run new ductwork that would be fine with me. I am not sure what they will do.
 
CAMAROBOY69
Not sure why anything would be in the air since we keep our house so clean, dont smoke, and dont have kids. Maybe its the 2 lizzards or the turtle that could be creating the problem. We keep their tanks clean but who knows, maybe 3 reptiles is too much becuse she never had allergies like this until a couple years ago and they seem to get worse each year.
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First, allergies can form where they didn't exist before. A couple of years ago I suddenly became allergic to certain types of fish, with no warning.

Also, in listing what is in your house you forgot two creatures living there: two humans.

From here: http://www.allergynursing.com/questions2/dust.php
For allergy sufferers, one of the biggest dust problems is the contribution that our own bodies make to the dust problem. Dead skin cells are a favored food for dust mites. Not only are pieces of dead skin cells present in dust that settles on furniture, but they are also present in our mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture, and drapery.

One of the most common allergens is the excrement that comes from dust mites that eat these dead skin cells. You guessed it, that excrement becomes part of dust also! As these dust mites die, their remains are also added to dust.

Add to that powdery mold spores that may develop inside our homes, dried flakes from plant and vegetable material, "fuzzies" from fabric, etc.

Anything we bring into our homes, such as wood for fireplaces, clothing that can produce lint, or cardboard and paper that can crumble or produce fine particles when torn can contribute to the dust "population."
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If I had to guess, I would say that the main culprit is both of you.

So, unless you go all Gattaca on yourself you won't be able to prevent the dust. The best you can do is remove it.

But before you start going crazy in trying to eliminate the cause make sure you know what the cause is. An allergy test would be helpful in directing you toward proper prevention.

Sometimes you never know the cause exists. A couple of years back my wife and I started having major allergy problems. We couldn't figure out where it was coming from. Then one day I found a mushroom growing in my bathroom. A little exploration found a leaky pipe behind the wall had caused a huge mold growth within three walls. If an allergy test shows that dust is not the issue then you know to look for something else.

Also, I highly suggest a professional cleaning of your ventilation system. The crap that builds up in those is amazing.

I am glad to see that you found something that will work for the bedroom. If all her problems are dust related that will be the only reasonable thing you can do.
 
The allergy test, is that something she needs to have a doctor do? Or is there something we can get from the store to test that?
 
CAMAROBOY69
The allergy test, is that something she needs to have a doctor do? Or is there something we can get from the store to test that?
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It should be performed by a doctor, likely an allergist. It will also allow the allergist to suggest, or prescribe, the treatment necessary. I take shots once a week to help keep my body adapted to allergens so that I do not react as violently as normal, and take Zyrtek to prevent any further reactions. If it floats in the air there is a good chance that I am allergic to it.

An allergy test, depending on how thorough, involves them scraping the skin with different allergens to see the degree of reaction. If they are just testing for a few things they will do it on the forearm, but if it is a widespread test it will cover the entire back.

I won't lie, it is uncomfortable. It doesn't hurt (unless she has sensitive skin and the scraping causes pain) but as you sit for 15-30 minutes letting the reactions take place it starts to itch like crazy. Of course, I am allergic to nearly everything, so someone with minor allergies just might have a few spots. My most severe reactions (salmon) actually begin to burn. Once the reactions take place the doctor comes in and goes over them one at a time marking the degree of reaction in your chart. As he goes along he will wipe them with an antihistamine cream so that the irritation goes away in seconds. Basically, it is where they purposely make you react while sitting in a controlled environment.

As my insurance has always covered everything but a co-pay I don't know what they cost, but if you have insurance an allergist is generally treated as any specialist. I suggest calling her general practitioner to see if they can do the test or if they can refer a good allergist.
 
I think this is going to help a lot. We also noticed that after having a new slider door installed this summer, that cut down on a lot of dust too.

We bought a new vacuum this weekend. 12 amp bagless with washable filters. That thing is awesome!! I seriously could not believe the amount of dirt that it pulled up just within a few minutes. With our old vacuum we vacuum at least 1-2 times a week every week and this new vacuum pulled up more crap then I could ever imagine just within a few minutes. It even has a duster on the side with a built in duster vacuum (my favorite part)!!! Got it for $74.99
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10980667&findingMethod=rr#ShortReviewTitleBar
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We still have our Eureka Boss and it still kicks ass over that POS Dyson we bought before it.

We let our maid use it over her professional vacuum, which isn't too shabby either. But, it doesn't have filters on it, so we allow her to use our Boss.
 
We are almost positive it is something to do with the Gecko sand. So we put up a free add to get rid of our female Gecko. That will help elliminate at least one tank with sand in it.

Heather seems fine when we are asleep at night with the door close and the air purifier going but when she goes into the living room or by the lizzard tank she starts sneezing. She never had problems with 1 lizzard. But with 2 it must be too much.
 

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