Re: Air Cleaner/Old filters

[Guest guest]

> Does anyone know exactly the effect of not changing the filters? What is

> harbored in there & is it is being recirculated?

> So, how dangerous if running?>

> Katrina

Katrina I can answer this since I've spoken with many manufacturers of air

purifiers. The charcoal canisters are able to only absorb so much and have

to be changed. It's like a sponge which can only absorb so much water or

liquid and then it will drip rather than hold the liquid. Most air

purifiers have several stages of purification, an outer membrance to capture

the dust particles and other debris. Each filtration level has its own

specific filtration capability. Here's a link to yours:

http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/allertech400.html

Your have a pre-filter, a hepa filter and the carbon filter. The pre-filter

needs to be changed much more frequently than the other 2. I've been using

air purifiers in my home for many years. During construction phase of our

home, the carbon filter had to be replaced within several weeks even thought

the mfg's suggested replacement was from 3-5years. Once our home was

reconstructed, I noticed a smell coming from the air purifiers in about 6

months. I phoned the company and was told the replacement timeframe is only

an estimate for pristine air quality which many of us do not have and those

living in Houston have more frequent exchange need since our city has many

petrochemical plants, pollution, mold spores outside and just in general

very poor air quality. Changing out my expensive charcoal filters every 5-6

months was getting too expensive for me and I'm trying something different

and still experimenting with it. I'm using a Merv 10 filter material

(similiar to the 3M filtrete material for furnace filters) but this filter

material has activated charcoal dusted onto it.

One word of caution if you have any chemical sensitivities. Some of the air

purifier companies are now adding anti-microbial chemicals to their

purification filters which can be a problem for some of us. It's best to

phone the company and inquire what they are using in their filters.

Just my thoughts and experiences,

Rosie

[Guest guest]

Rosie,

Thank you, that was very helpful. It looks like I'm not behind for regular use,

but it's time to change for this environment, and windows open alot.

I guess I'm in deep trouble, cause these filters need changing, and there is no

way I have the money. Now, something else to fear...having NO air cleaner.

I can at least change the bottom one again, then vacuum it, but that's it.

(Actually, I tried to wash the HEPA one once).

I'll keep your other idea in mind in case a miracle ever happens.

Katrina

--- In , " Healthier4All " <Healthier4All@h...>

wrote:

>

> > Does anyone know exactly the effect of not changing the filters? What is

> > harbored in there & is it is being recirculated?

> > So, how dangerous if running?>

> > Katrina

>

> Katrina I can answer this since I've spoken with many manufacturers of air

> purifiers. The charcoal canisters are able to only absorb so much and have

> to be changed. It's like a sponge which can only absorb so much water or

> liquid and then it will drip rather than hold the liquid. Most air

> purifiers have several stages of purification, an outer membrance to capture

> the dust particles and other debris. Each filtration level has its own

> specific filtration capability. Here's a link to yours:

> http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/allertech400.html

>

> Your have a pre-filter, a hepa filter and the carbon filter. The pre-filter

> needs to be changed much more frequently than the other 2. I've been using

> air purifiers in my home for many years. During construction phase of our

> home, the carbon filter had to be replaced within several weeks even thought

> the mfg's suggested replacement was from 3-5years. Once our home was

> reconstructed, I noticed a smell coming from the air purifiers in about 6

> months. I phoned the company and was told the replacement timeframe is only

> an estimate for pristine air quality which many of us do not have and those

> living in Houston have more frequent exchange need since our city has many

> petrochemical plants, pollution, mold spores outside and just in general

> very poor air quality. Changing out my expensive charcoal filters every 5-6

> months was getting too expensive for me and I'm trying something different

> and still experimenting with it. I'm using a Merv 10 filter material

> (similiar to the 3M filtrete material for furnace filters) but this filter

> material has activated charcoal dusted onto it.

>

> One word of caution if you have any chemical sensitivities. Some of the air

> purifier companies are now adding anti-microbial chemicals to their

> purification filters which can be a problem for some of us. It's best to

> phone the company and inquire what they are using in their filters.

>

> Just my thoughts and experiences,

> Rosie