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Post by samwiseg on Jun 22, 2013 7:29:13 GMT
I have been reading up a lot on air purifiers recently and found there is such a lot of information to go through, especially when looking to purchase one for the first time. But it seems to me that a lot of people on the forum are asking the same basic question: "which air purifier"? So I have managed to find some info that may be helpful in making that decision. I have narrowed it down to a couple of elements so you know what questions to ask yourself and what to look for: - Asthma / Hayfever sufferer?
- Have pets & dander control
- Your Room Size
- To Ionize or Not to Ionize
- Type/Size of Filter
- Noise
There are Three Main Types Of Air Purifier to choose from:
Ionizers (Ionisers)
Ionizer air purifiers are generally inexpensive, but also the least effective air purifiers because they simply make the particles fall to the surface in the room. So your air will feel fresher, but the impurities/allergens are still in the room and open to inhalation. Nowadays an Ionizer is generally only found as an added extra on a Hepa Air Purifier. In general an Ioniser on its own is not the most effective way of cleaning a room, but an Ioniser as part of a Hepa Air Purifier is a good idea and a much more common sight nowadays. However, not suitable for use with birds so if you purchase a purifier with an ionizer make sure you are able to switch it off. HEPA Air Purifiers ( High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter )
Hepa Filter air purifiers offer hugely better air cleaning efficiency than Ionizers. The contaminated room air is sucked into the machine and through the HEPA filter by a fan. The filter collects over 99% of the contaminants ( allergens,pet dander,dust mites, etc) and the cleaned air is then pushed back out to recirculate around the room. The upside of a good hepa air purifier is it's ability to filter out huge amounts of airborne contaminants for a relatively low cost. One downside however is the noise factor, a cheaply made Hepa machine can sound up to 10 times louder than an equivalent well made one. The more well known Hepa Filter brands like Bionaire for example tend to be quieter than the mass produced lesser known ones. The Blueair range of Hepa Air Purifiers are simply the most powerful, quiet and energy efficient units you can buy with awards galore from all over the world. With any Hepa based machine, you will need to replace the filters regularly to keep the air cleaning efficiency at it's highest level. So always check the replacement filter costs before buying. Many Hepa Air Purifiers now come with an Ionizer built in to offer the best of both worlds in terms of freshening the air and actually trapping the particles ( as opposed to simply depositing them on the nearest surface). You can also purchase a "Permanent" or "Lifetime" filter so you do not have to replace the filter every 6 months or so and indicates when it needs a clean with water and/or hoover).
Air Sterilizers (air sterilisers)
Air Sterilizers like the Airfree models are generally considered to be the Rolls Royce of air purification. These units clean the air to the highest possible degree and even destroy virus and bacteria. They are also completely silent in operation and have no filters to replace. The downside of an Air Steriliser is usually the initial cost being a little higher than other types, however the cleaner air and cost savings in not having to replace filters is definitely a huge benefit. Choose an air steriliser if you are concentrating your efforts on one specific room and want the cleanest air possible.
Just a bit of further info:
Pet Dander ( and especially Bird Dander ) can be a real nuisance. The trouble with bird dander in particular is that it is a very large particle and therefore clogs up the hepa filter in most machines very quickly. Replacement Hepa filters can be fairly expensive and for that reason, when dealing with pet dander it is wise to opt for an air purifier with a 'Lifetime Hepa'. Lifetime Hepa filters are unique in that they can be gently hoovered out and used again and again saving you a fortune in replacement costs over the years.
This information has been sourced from Breathing Space which I have found to be the most informative for choosing a air purifier.
I hope this helps fellow budgie enthusiasts who are looking to purchase a purifier.
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Post by birdguhl on Jun 22, 2013 7:52:06 GMT
Thanks very much for this, Sam - really useful info. V helpful for people with asthma too.
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Post by Hezz on Jun 22, 2013 9:37:45 GMT
It's not something I have ever had to consider, Sam, but there are plenty who do, so well done, you.
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Post by tinksmum on Jun 22, 2013 9:39:41 GMT
You certainly have done your research! Well Done & Thank you for sharing, very handy info, maybe this should be a pinned topic.
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Post by samwiseg on Jun 22, 2013 9:45:00 GMT
It's not something I have ever had to consider, Sam, but there are plenty who do, so well done, you. Thanks Hezz Fortunately for some, they don't have to but I have been made aware of the potential hazards for me it can cause to your health having birds without the correct ventilation. As for some of us in the UK, we cannot always have our windows open all the time as much as we would like to! Just wanting to try and make it a bit simpler to understand because as usual the market wishes to confuse so they sell you the wrong thing just to make money...tut tut
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Oct 7, 2011 16:34:59 GMT
ppvallhunds
Cruising Cobalt
Ada & Eagle
Posts: 574
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Post by ppvallhunds on Jun 22, 2013 21:48:25 GMT
good post, id add though that the ionisers can be bad for peoples health too, as it makes ozone as a by-product which in high levels is bad. That's where I went wrong when I got an ioniser for my small room and ended up going dizzy and ill when using it. stopped using it and symptoms went away.
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Post by samwiseg on Jun 23, 2013 7:55:21 GMT
How very true PP, makes you wonder why they put them in doesn't it? Especially when people purchase purifiers for babies rooms/nurseries too
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Post by BudgiesBuddy on Jun 23, 2013 15:42:47 GMT
Good post
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Oct 7, 2011 16:34:59 GMT
ppvallhunds
Cruising Cobalt
Ada & Eagle
Posts: 574
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Post by ppvallhunds on Jun 28, 2013 23:33:27 GMT
Yeah I can only imagine how the birds must have been feeling If it was making me ill
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Post by Learner on Jun 29, 2013 0:55:38 GMT
Thanks for the information - useful and very time savng. Appreciated.
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Jan 5, 2014 10:11:00 GMT
jj
Normal Violet
Posts: 230
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Post by jj on Jan 21, 2014 19:08:44 GMT
I have been reading up a lot on air purifiers recently and found there is such a lot of information to go through, especially when looking to purchase one for the first time. But it seems to me that a lot of people on the forum are asking the same basic question: "which air purifier"? So I have managed to find some info that may be helpful in making that decision. I have narrowed it down to a couple of elements so you know what questions to ask yourself and what to look for: - Asthma / Hayfever sufferer?
- Have pets & dander control
- Your Room Size
- To Ionize or Not to Ionize
- Type/Size of Filter
- Noise
There are Three Main Types Of Air Purifier to choose from:
Ionizers (Ionisers)
Ionizer air purifiers are generally inexpensive, but also the least effective air purifiers because they simply make the particles fall to the surface in the room. So your air will feel fresher, but the impurities/allergens are still in the room and open to inhalation. Nowadays an Ionizer is generally only found as an added extra on a Hepa Air Purifier. In general an Ioniser on its own is not the most effective way of cleaning a room, but an Ioniser as part of a Hepa Air Purifier is a good idea and a much more common sight nowadays. However, not suitable for use with birds so if you purchase a purifier with an ionizer make sure you are able to switch it off. HEPA Air Purifiers ( High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter )
Hepa Filter air purifiers offer hugely better air cleaning efficiency than Ionizers. The contaminated room air is sucked into the machine and through the HEPA filter by a fan. The filter collects over 99% of the contaminants ( allergens,pet dander,dust mites, etc) and the cleaned air is then pushed back out to recirculate around the room. The upside of a good hepa air purifier is it's ability to filter out huge amounts of airborne contaminants for a relatively low cost. One downside however is the noise factor, a cheaply made Hepa machine can sound up to 10 times louder than an equivalent well made one. The more well known Hepa Filter brands like Bionaire for example tend to be quieter than the mass produced lesser known ones. The Blueair range of Hepa Air Purifiers are simply the most powerful, quiet and energy efficient units you can buy with awards galore from all over the world. With any Hepa based machine, you will need to replace the filters regularly to keep the air cleaning efficiency at it's highest level. So always check the replacement filter costs before buying. Many Hepa Air Purifiers now come with an Ionizer built in to offer the best of both worlds in terms of freshening the air and actually trapping the particles ( as opposed to simply depositing them on the nearest surface). You can also purchase a "Permanent" or "Lifetime" filter so you do not have to replace the filter every 6 months or so and indicates when it needs a clean with water and/or hoover).
Air Sterilizers (air sterilisers)
Air Sterilizers like the Airfree models are generally considered to be the Rolls Royce of air purification. These units clean the air to the highest possible degree and even destroy virus and bacteria. They are also completely silent in operation and have no filters to replace. The downside of an Air Steriliser is usually the initial cost being a little higher than other types, however the cleaner air and cost savings in not having to replace filters is definitely a huge benefit. Choose an air steriliser if you are concentrating your efforts on one specific room and want the cleanest air possible.
Just a bit of further info:
Pet Dander ( and especially Bird Dander ) can be a real nuisance. The trouble with bird dander in particular is that it is a very large particle and therefore clogs up the hepa filter in most machines very quickly. Replacement Hepa filters can be fairly expensive and for that reason, when dealing with pet dander it is wise to opt for an air purifier with a 'Lifetime Hepa'. Lifetime Hepa filters are unique in that they can be gently hoovered out and used again and again saving you a fortune in replacement costs over the years.
This information has been sourced from Breathing Space which I have found to be the most informative for choosing a air purifier.
I hope this helps fellow budgie enthusiasts who are looking to purchase a purifier.
. Hi samwise could you have a look at this for me it claims no filter at all it looks good but I've really no idea at all haha thanks www.breathingspace.co.uk/air-purifiers/airfree-T40-air-purifier. I get my first budgie in just over a week and both my son and I have asthma so thought this might be worth the investment cheers
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Post by lemonade on Jan 21, 2014 19:19:13 GMT
Hi JJ, I have an Airfree P125 Platinum air sterilizer purchased from Living Pure website, but also available on Breathing Space. I recommend working out the size of your room you will be placing it in first before buying one as each model caters to different size rooms. Also, once it's plugged in you are not supposed to switch it off or move it ever , as if you do it will stop sterilizing the air and take 2 days to start working again. I suffer asthma and I feel my chest is a lot better with this. I keep it in the living room where the birds are most of the day, and I am saving up to buy another one later in the year for my bedroom also. If you only have one budgie you might be ok with the one in your link. I just got the bigger one as I have more birds
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Jan 5, 2014 10:11:00 GMT
jj
Normal Violet
Posts: 230
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Post by jj on Jan 21, 2014 19:23:16 GMT
Hi JJ, I have an Airfree P125 Platinum air sterilizer purchased from Living Pure website, but also available on Breathing Space. I recommend working out the size of your room you will be placing it in first before buying one as each model caters to different size rooms. Also, once it's plugged in you are not supposed to switch it off or move it ever , as if you do it will stop sterilizing the air and take 2 days to start working again. I suffer asthma and I feel my chest is a lot better with this. I keep it in the living room where the birds are most of the day, and I am saving up to buy another one later in the year for my bedroom also. If you only have one budgie you might be ok with the one in your link. I just got the bigger one as I have more birds I only live in a small flat I plan to measure my room shortly b4 ordering! Are u supposed to leave it running 24/7 then lemonade is it costly to run? They reckon it's just like leaving a light bulb on! Do u have to clean it at all? X
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Post by lemonade on Jan 21, 2014 19:40:15 GMT
Yes you've to leave it on 24/7 no matter what, otherwise it will not work. It's strange because all you do is take it out the box, plug it in and leave it. It makes no noise and appears to do nothing. I only give it a dust with a dry soft cloth every now and then but no cleaning is needed. It has to be in the open, not on or under a shelf or obstructed by anything. Mine is on the floor beside a sofa. I will try and take a photo of it so you can see. It has a blue light on all the time, if that light starts blinking it means something is wrong. You also feel heat coming from the top of it but that means it's working. I haven't noticed any difference in my electric bills but then again I am bad as I leave my lights on and tv on all day for the birds! I'd say it's the same as leaving a light on all the time.
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Jan 5, 2014 10:11:00 GMT
jj
Normal Violet
Posts: 230
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Post by jj on Jan 21, 2014 19:59:24 GMT
Yes you've to leave it on 24/7 no matter what, otherwise it will not work. It's strange because all you do is take it out the box, plug it in and leave it. It makes no noise and appears to do nothing. I only give it a dust with a dry soft cloth every now and then but no cleaning is needed. It has to be in the open, not on or under a shelf or obstructed by anything. Mine is on the floor beside a sofa. I will try and take a photo of it so you can see. It has a blue light on all the time, if that light starts blinking it means something is wrong. You also feel heat coming from the top of it but that means it's working. I haven't noticed any difference in my electric bills but then again I am bad as I leave my lights on and tv on all day for the birds! I'd say it's the same as leaving a light on all the time. I've just measured my room it's 12.5m2 which is under the 190ft2 the machine copes with so I should be good to go ahead with it xx
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