Air Purifiers

Fair Light · #1 08/31/12, 10:25 AM

I am looking at an Orek air purifier...I do have two Great Pyrs inside at night only...but the dust (dander) is unbelieveable....I vaccum every day but it's just getting to be too much..I keep all bedroom doors closed and the dust isn't that bad in those rooms...I have hardwood floors and I know this shows dust where carpet does not...I have a really nice cental unit with an electronic filter system and I still have too much dust...I think that I am obviousl inhaing all of that dirt as well...The Orek is $350...I hate to spend that much money for this if it won't help a lot...Does anyone have one of these...

Darren · #2 08/31/12, 10:39 AM

If you already have an electronic filter on your central system, I'd make sure that's working first. That should have eliminated the problem before it became noticeable. Can you run your system on air only? Is there a return air vent in the room with the dogs? Before I'd spend $350, I'd look for used ones on eBay that people are selling becasue they weren't happy with how they worked.

Any of the "ionic" filters require constant cleaning unless you have one of the really older units that uses a water wash for cleaning wih a timer.

Fair Light · #3 08/31/12, 12:44 PM

I just had my electronic filter unit checked...and the return air is in the same room as the dogs...I vaccum the electronic filter every 2-3 days....It is a large room....I saw the tv commercial for the Orek. The filter is a permanent one that you take out and wash. I think that is what impressed me. After a few days I can actually see dust on the vents of the return air. It's as though the air flow to the return air is not strong enough...that's why I thought this could supplement...I just didn't want to spend that much if it wouldn't make that big of a difference....I was kind of hoping to spend 100-200 dollars...but would a cheaper one from a department store work just as good?

Darren · #4 08/31/12, 12:59 PM

Are there rooms in which you can close or adjust the vents to increase the flow in the dog's room? Depending on the house construction you may be able to add a duct fan to increase the return air flow.

I'm not familiar with the Oreck filter. So I can't help you with that.

Is this the one you saw on TV?

NEW ORECK AIRINSTINCT HEPA AIR PURIFIER 2012 MODEL! 2 YR HEPA FILTER 3 YR WRRNTY | eBay

Fair Light · #5 08/31/12, 10:20 PM

No..it's a different one...I just happened to see the commercial a few days ago....They claim the regular price is 399. and on sale for 350...The Orek website has it for 319. and the store will match the price...I think I will check into getting a stronger fan for increased suction into the return air...All my bedroom doors stay closed, and the dust problem is just in the great room...living room, dining room kitchen combination...It is so bad that even my upholstered couch and chair are dusty...maybe I can try to run just the fan on my central unit....I will say that I am gone a lot and most days I keep the thermostat set on 78 or 80...Maybe I'm not running the fan enough...I bring dogs inside at night for safety reasons...I am just tired of the dust..thanks Darren

Alice In TX/MO · #6 09/01/12, 09:28 AM

Honestly, I'd fix the dogs a place to stay outside. Pyrs are outside dogs anyway, and you can't overcome that level of dander and hair input on a daily basis.

cathleenc · #7 09/01/12, 10:02 AM

Check craigslist - I've picked up many hepa air purifiers for very little money both on craigslist and at goodwill/salvation army, etc.

Darren · #8 09/01/12, 10:47 AM

One way or another you should be able to just run the fan on your central unit and take advantage of your central electronic filter. It might help to have a separate circulating fan running in the area on a timer when you're not there to keep the dust airborne so the central unit can catch it.

It may sound strange but the more dust around the return air vent the better since it shows the dust is being drawn into the return air on is way to the filter.

Fair Light · #9 09/01/12, 06:18 PM

They are outside 90% of the time....I just bring them inside with me when I am home overnight...and that isn't every night either...I never had dogs inside before last year....new to me....I am not happy with the dust problem and if I can't solve it they won't be allowed back in...