Replies

1. 
   dgbldr | Jan 09, 2006 08:08am | #1

   You need to tell us what you are trying to accomplish, what kind of room(s) and how big.  Forums work like computers. The quality of the output depends on the quality of the input.

   And no, "ionic" and such machines have no scientifically proven benefits. They fit into the same category as duct cleaning, i.e. scams.

   DG/Builder

    

1. 
   Lana | Jan 10, 2006 05:01am | #14

   i want  nice, clean fresh air in a family room/kitchen area, well, entire downstairs area, probably 1000 sq. ft.   there are smokers in the family, (i know, don't even go there)  we do have forced air heat.   i just want to get rid of the "smokers stuff"./  the smoking is sporadic. not a constant thing.  just want to clear the air. what do you say?  i am beginning to think the Ionic breeze thing is a joke.   i thought it was from the start, that is why i ask the question.

   are you saying:   add something to our furnace system?

1. 
   experienced | Jan 10, 2006 05:24am | #16

   i just want to get rid of the "smokers stuff"./  the smoking is sporadic. not a constant thing.

   Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is one of the hardest pollutants to filter out of the air as it has hundreds to thousands of different products (respirable particulates and gases ) from incomplete combustion (smouldering). The only real solution is to smoke outdoors. It's cheaper and completely effective!!!! 

2. 
   dgbldr | Jan 10, 2006 06:29am | #18

   For your situation, which is quite common, the remedies are:

   1. Get a decent filter on the furnace/AC. That means a 4" pleated filter and housing, such as those made by Air Bear, Honeywell, Aprilaire, etc. and also sold under the names of most furnace makers: Bryant, Lennox, etc.  If you are in a climate where neither heat nor AC is required for long periods, run the furnace for part of the day in the "fan on" mode during those periods.

   2. Use individual filter fans in the affected rooms with HEPA filter elements and activated charcoal pre-filters.  These can be found at many stores and are not very expensive.  They are made by Honeywell, Holmes and others.  Change the filters and pre-filters on schedule.

   DG/Builder

2. 
   4Lorn1 | Jan 09, 2006 08:34am | #2

   Consumer reports had a series about a year ago. Ionic breeze was rated poor at removing pollutants and, even more of a concern, generated ozone at high enough levels to exceed EPA standards.

   More recently, with some bad blood between CR and the makers of Ionic Breeze, IB modified their design by adding a catalytic filter to reconvert the ozone to oxygen. Sounded good. CR retested the IB and found that it had improved but still produced unacceptable levels of ozone.

   Also the changes made no improvement in its performance at removing contaminants. It was poor and remains poor.

   Given a chance I will try to dig up the article. I think I still have the edition.

1. 
   maddog3 | Jan 09, 2006 07:13pm | #3

   i never cared for the hype that is used to sell these things....

   .......

   ..... filtered air is bad ,

   .

   ......fan noises are bad,

   .

   ...using electricity is bad,

   .

   ......the worried looks on the actress face in the infomercial,

   .

   I might be wrong, but wouldn't the things work much better if placed in an airflow ? at least for the solids

2. 
   Lana | Jan 10, 2006 05:02am | #15

   thanks for your input.

3. 
   BryanSayer | Jan 09, 2006 07:55pm | #4

   If you are near central Ohio, I have a whole house one (about 1200 sq. ft. I think) that I will sell cheap. I bought it for $600 when we had only radiator heat, but now we live with forced air so I have big air filters on the HVAC system.

   I got the air cleaner to cut down on pollen, and it helped.

4. 
   Piffin | Jan 09, 2006 08:18pm | #5

   The ionics are mostly a scam. The charged air smells better is about all that happens. Also, the ionic charge imputed to particles makes some small percentage of them cling to the "filter" plate wehich can be rinsed.

   We have some small, quiewt filter fan units made by Orek that help with mt asthma in a room...

   For whole house, in-line filters or a larger filter unit is better. Do you have forced air heat or radiators?

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   davidmeiland | Jan 09, 2006 08:24pm | #6

   Got a link to those? My wife has wicked allergies.

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 09, 2006 09:42pm | #7

   http://oreck.com/air-purifiers/air8.cfm 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   maddog3 | Jan 09, 2006 10:00pm | #8

   see...that idea makes sense...
   .. had the pleasure of being <b>inside</b> a precipitator....at ####power house..... ..pull the air through a charged grid and collect the ash, and the other gunk in coal .....drop that crap into a hopper, then conveyor to the off-site gypsum plant ...for tomorrows drywall.just don't leave the ash in your clothes and throw them in the wash, or your pants and shirts will dissolve

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Jan 10, 2006 12:23am | #10

   Yep, and you should see the paint (not) on cars, after being parked at a power plant daily for about a year.

   Acid rain?

   Never heard of it...., if you own a power plant :(

    

   Dave

2. 
   maddog3 | Jan 10, 2006 03:03am | #11

   yup.....

2. 
   davidmeiland | Jan 09, 2006 11:24pm | #9

   Thanks for that. Do you think this would make sense as a unit in a small-ish bedroom, for improving someone's issues with airborne allergens? Would we also need them elsewhere in the house? They definitely aren't cheap, but if they work...

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 10, 2006 03:58am | #12

   that is what I got it for. One unit in a room is the intent. I chose it because of the whisper quiet mode - you don't know it's on in our bedroom, but I noticed the difference in the air quality immediately - first night. turn to high speed and ytou do hear it then. We have a second unit in the living room. When we bought it, the special was buy one get second for half prioce and we'll throw in a battery vacumn unit. Sunday AM TV infomercial. Google it and maybe you can find special price deals or discounts. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   Lana | Jan 10, 2006 04:54am | #13

   we have forced air. so, you  guys are saying:the ionic breeze air filter is just a "hoax"?

    

1. 
   Piffin | Jan 10, 2006 05:40am | #17

   You would definitely be unhappy with the 'breeze' but take a look at the little oreck unit I linked above.Filters are in line already on your forced hoit air system. They could be changed more often, or changed for a higher quality HEPA quality set, but the fan does not run all the time, so might nnot while the smokers are there. Also, with a whole house system, the smoke particulates that are missed inthe filter are then circulated to the rest of the house. The small room unit would help prevent that. It has a removable, washable filter screen.For my house, the smokers go outside though. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   4Lorn1 | Jan 10, 2006 06:53am | #19

   Found a few links on the CR site that may be interesting:http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/ionizing-air-cleaners-505/air-cleaners-the-truth-behind-the-accolades.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=2&searchTerm=air%20cleanersPoint being: beware of seemingly impressive aprovals and certifications.Also some possible alternatives to air cleaners which may, or may not, work:http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/appliances/air-cleaners-1005/simple-aircleaning-steps.htm?resultPageIndex=1&resultIndex=5&searchTerm=air%20cleaners

5. 
   Bowz | Jan 10, 2006 08:09pm | #20

   Lana,

   My wife is very chemically sensitive. She uses multiple portable purifiers in the house. They are "Health-Mates  by Austin Air".  Charcoal filtered is what I believe you are after.

   As mentioned before, ozone levels are a problem with the ionizer types, that was the reason to eliminate those as an option.

   I couldn't tell you what her decision process was, but she did a lot of research.

   Smokers are not allowed in the house. Not just smoking, but smokers themselves, due to the tobacco and chemical residue on their clothes etc.

   Bowz

    

6. 
   WayneL5 | Jan 11, 2006 03:41am | #21

   I haven't read all the other replies.  I had a medical procedure today and I'm still a bit drifty.

   Run away from the Ionic Breeze.  Consumer Reports tested it and found it emits harmful levels of ozone.  The new version with the ozone filter puts out less ozone, but still some.  Since ozone is toxic why put out any?

   I recommend an electronic air cleaner installed in the furnace ducting.  I had one in a previous house and the amount of dusting I had do do was considerably less.  A central vac helps, too.

7. 
   Deleted | Oct 20, 2020 10:53am | #22

   “[Deleted]”