Does anyone use the Oreck Air Purifiers?

[drakethib]

IF so how do you like it?

Just wondering as I am thinking of buying one but I am wondering if they are worth the money.

Thanks

 

[Cool-Beans]

I don't know about air purifiers, but I have the vaccuum and it is (far and away) the best one I've ever used.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I was going to post this question. I see it didn't get too much response before....

Does anyone use an air purifier? If so, which brand/model do you like or dislike? We're thinking of getting the Oreck, but aren't sure.

TIA
-Sue

 

[Seahunt]

While we don't have one, and so don't have any first hand knowledge to share with you, I looked them up on Consumer Reports for you, and was surprised that they do NOT like air purifiers (and also both the Oreck and Sharper Image were not recommended) Here's some of their points in the article:

Don't assume that any air cleaner will improve your health. “There's no definitive proof that air cleaners improve air quality in any way that benefits the health of those with or without allergies or asthma,” says Rebecca Bascom, M.D., professor of medicine at the Penn State medical center's division of pulmonary, allergy, and critical care medicine. The American Lung Association and medical societies such as the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology also say there's little evidence that air cleaners alone will reduce the effect of indoor pollutants for those with asthma or allergies.

We suggest avoiding room versions without a fan, which have cleaned poorly in our tests and can emit significant amounts of ozone. Also avoid dedicated ozone generators. Unlike electrostatic precipitators, which emit ozone as a by-product of their cleaning process, these niche products produce large amounts of ozone by design.

Relatively few air cleaners excelled in our tests, especially among room models, which account for the most sales in dollars.

Many room air cleaners scored fair or poor in at least one of our four cleaning tests for dust and smoke. Tests confirmed that dust performance is also a good indicator of pollen performance, which is why we don’t score it. Several small ionizing models scored poorly in air cleaning, and some failed the voluntary Underwriters Laboratories ozone test we replicated; all of these models are Not Recommended.

The Bionaire (9), TrueAir (11), Electrolux (13), Sharp (17), Kenmore (20), Soleus Air (25), and Zojirushi (26) room models have dust or odor sensors that automatically adjust fan speed. But most didn’t kick in until levels were high, then shut off before levels dropped sufficiently.

A better bet: Run room models on Low and raise the fan speed only during dusting, vacuuming, or other situations that may increase airborne particles.

Here are their ratings (best to worst):

1 Friedrich C-90B
2 Kenmore (Sears) 83202 83200, Whirlpool AP51030R
3 Whirlpool AP45030R
4 Honeywell 50250 50251
5 Vornado AQS35
6 Blueair 501
7 Hunter QuietFlo 30401
8 Holmes Harmony HAP750-U
9 Bionaire Galileo BAP1250-U
10 LakeAir Maxum Electronic Air Cleaner
11 TrueAir Ultra 04163
12 Blueair 601
13 Electrolux Brisa Z7040
14 Hunter QuietFlo 30170
15 Holmes Harmony HAP650
16 Honeywell Enviracaire IFD 60001 IFD HFD-130
17 Sharp Plasmacluster FP-N60CX
18 Holmes Harmony HAP422-U
19 IQAir HealthPro Plus
20 Kenmore (Sears) EnviroSense 85500
21 Austin Health Mate HM400
22 Honeywell 18150 18155
23 Honeywell 17000 17005
24 Bionaire Tower BAP825-U
25 Soleus Air SA-150R
26 Zojirushi PA-MTC14
NOT RECOMMENDED These were poor at cleaning, and some exceeded the UL ozone standard.
27 Oreck XL Professional Signature Air8S
28 Sharper Image Professional Series Ionic Breeze Quadra SI737
SI637
29 Ionic Pro CL-369
30 Surround Air XJ -2000
*******************

Hope this helps!

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Wow! thank you SO MUCH for looking that up for us!!!

Well, the results were not what I was hoping for--I guess there's no magic cure. Thank you again for all your help!!!!

 

[drakethib]

Well since I have posted I have bought 2 orecks air purifiers.

What I can tell you it does it keep the rooms odor free and pulls a bunch of dust out of the air (I know I am the one always cleaning the filter).

The room does seem to have a "more breathable" air if you will. Now rather are not that is my head, I can't tell you.

I am pretty happy with them though. YMMV