I'm trying to evaluate air cleaners/purifiers for my home. My son has
asthma and we've seen several ads about ionic breeze, but know that
there are other really good ones in the market. Whats the best air
cleaner/purifier to buy? Which one has lower maintenance costs? How do
they handle common allergens like pet dander, dust etc?

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Clarification of Question by nandun-ga on 15 Sep 2005 07:30 PDT

I've already looked at epinions, and some review sites -- too many
choices and can't really rely on these reviews. Our home is in Georgia
and is about 2400 sq.ft.

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Clarification of Question by nandun-ga on 15 Sep 2005 07:34 PDT

Also, there are some answers here dating back from 2002 -- what I'd
like to know is if there have been any new innovations, changes in
recommendations.

Hi nandun-ga,

    I would surely avoid ionic breeze for the following reason:
High ozone production, which could actually worsen the astma condition.
What you need is a true HEPA air conditioner with a user washable prefilter
and a builtin impurity detector, and a separate control for the ionizer function.
Panasonic makes very good HEPA air purifiers.  You most likely would want to
avoid the use of the ionizer, since it could produce small amounts of ozone.
To combat air pollution, specifically asthma here are my suggestions:
i) Since the HEPA air purifiers have limited coverage area(They work well
when located in places with good air circulation, enclosed areas), you should
consider the use of high efficiency furnace filters(electrostatically charged-
not the real "electrical electrostatic filters", with activated charcoal pre-
filter).  You do need to replace it diligently, and also cut down on additional
pollution due to cooking smoke etc.
ii) Steam humidifiers with UV germicidal lights are supposed to be
very effective for people suffering with asthma.
iii) Have lots of indoor plants(esp. one's that grow faster under low light
conditions).

Hope you find this information helpful.

Regards
ldavinci-ga

I know what a search for air purifiers can be like.  Skip the ionic
breeze.  There is a difference between negative ions and positive ions
(negative ions give you fresh air, positive ions give you "used up and
irritating" air.  The ionic breeze is of the later version.  There are
several good machines.  I use the ones by Ecoquest and pay about $700
for one that produces ions and ozone.  Don't worry about the ozone. 
Just set it on the low side and if you can't smell it it is not
hurting you.  Grocery stores use heavy ozone machines in food areas to
keep down the microbes.  There is ozone in fresh air especially after
a thunderstorm.  HEPA filter machines give off lots of positive ions
and most people can't tell the difference when they get one.  You
could start with a cheap NEGATIVE ionizer and mount it high up in the
room and use a fan to circulate the ions so they "do their thing" and
knock the pollutants out of the air.  There is going to be a
"maintenance" chore whatever machine you buy.  Ecoquest machines just
require a little cleaning each month.  Ecoquest is a multi-level
company but their machines are wonderful.  All electrical appliances
give off electromagnetic fields so keep the machine you buy (and any
other "plugged in applicanes" more than 5 feet away from the place
anyone sleeps.
Another "good word" in the world of air purifiers is "carbon filter". 
Carbon is amazing in its ability to suck in the pollutants from the
air or water as it passes through it.  Air purifiers are an individual
issue and I'm sure you can get one to do the job...hopefully it is the
first one you buy!!!!  I am NOT an Ecoquest distributor but talk to
someone from the company and see if you want to try it.

Hi nandun-ga,

   Since you've asked for new innovations, here are a few:
i) Sharp cameup with a ion-cluster air purifier.  What it is supposed
to do, is to produce a cluster of + and - ions, which recombine
to form the highly reactive hydroxyl molecule, that attaches to airborne
microorganisms such as virus, and deprive them of the hydrogen, which
deactivates them and eventually produces water vapor.
ii) There are a new variety of UV lamps with sacrificial titanium oxide
coating, which produces the hydroxyl ions from the surface coating(eventually
deteriorates after few thousand hours of use).  They are supposed to
be good in eliminating odors, in enclosed areas with good air circulation.
If you are looking for a whole home HEPA air purifier, it is going to be
very expensive, and still have the same headache of maintenance.  Sharp
units seem to have permanent hepa filter that does not need replacement for
upto 2 yrs.  By making your home airtight and reducing the introduction of
external pollution from entering, you could use several hepa units to maintain
a clean atmosphere inside. You could think about installing air exchangers and
window screens and additional glass doors to help improve the indoor air 
quality.

Regards
ldavinci-ga

powerjug-ga is very correct. We purchased a "Flair" from Ecoquest
approximately 5 months ago. IT IS THE MOST WONDERFUL MACHINE I COULD
IMAGINE.
I smoke, (i know i've tried evreything to quit), we have a large
macaw, my husband is on C-PAP at night.
I dust once a month, and it is now a minimal chore. Before, due to
living in a rural area the dust combined with the pollen was
unmanageable. I dust leave to go shopping, come home and see dust from
across the room.
with the Flair the house smells like clean air after a rain, not the
dog, or cigarettes. I have always strived to keep the windows open and
fresh air flowing through the house.
There are NO filters to replace EVER. Just spray off the primary metal
grid, and clean (as directed) the ceramic plates as needed. THIS HAS
BEEN REQUIRED ONLY ONCE since owing the machine. It can also be used
to sanitize an individual room after leaving and moving the animals.

Neither I, nor any family member or freinds sell, nor have any
affiliation with this company, my sister-n-law found out about this
company from a friend.

I can vouch for the machine.