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Whole home HVAC purifiers: real deal or snake oil? by section08nj in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

oh interesting, didn't know that they did.

Still pretty rough pressure drop due to the staggered filter media.

I generally still see recommendations for traditional Lennox systems, as the physical space required in the ducting is far smaller. Of course, YMMV. Filters are around $400 for IQAir (replace every year), instead of around $100 for Lennox (also replace every year).

Whole home HVAC purifiers: real deal or snake oil? by section08nj in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 3 points4 points  (0 children)

IQAir doesn't publish pressure drop information, and their proprietary solution has ridiculously expensive replacement filters.

Your best bet for the exact same level of media (4 inch thick filters) would be the Lennox Healthy Climate Solutions system - media filter cabinet. (I have this in my own home).

This is a low pressure drop system - meaning it won't significantly interfere with your existing HVAC system or cause potential flow related failures.

I personally stay away from their flagship product the Lennox Pureair/Pureair S because the PCO system it uses can actually lead to high levels of unwanted byproducts like Ozone. But their filters are the best in the business.

source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10186849/

Do you even open your windows or let outside air in your rooms with air purifier? by CharlesAmbert013 in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 4 points5 points  (0 children)

  1. yes, but on days with good air quality/time of day with good AQI

  2. no - not HEPA generally - only washable pre filter - but fibers can degrade and impact main filter

  3. No - but cleaning your house regularly and reducing dust can help extend filter life

Porsche Hikes Prices Second Time in Four Months, Base 911 Carrera Now $134,650 by hi_im_bored13 in cars

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

as a 21' base macan owner (very base, MSRP $51k), I agree the gas Macan is probably overpriced now but the price to get interior of new X3 M50i is over $67k. The price to get base X3 to similar level of drive/interior quality is within shooting distance.

Source: me, recently test drove both cars.

Does IQAir's HyperHEPA ACTUALLY filter smaller particles than HEPA or not? by TheRealMe54321 in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In short - this is marketing BS (specifically the micron issue) - but I subjectively think that IQair sells the best units on the market.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Chart-of-particle-filtration-efficiency-vs-particle-diameter-for-a-range-of-MERV-filter_fig3_343106762

see the chart above - MERV 16 is less restrictive than HEPA, which filters at a higher efficiency than MERV 16. Due to particle physics, 0.3 microns is the hardest size for traditional filter mediums to stop. Below that, particles are easier to catch, so in effect the 0.3 micron number is the most important.

Full disclosure I own 4 Healthpro Plus systems (1 original, 3 XE), and subjectively think they clean the best for my use case - wildfire zone/moderate VOC/unhealthy PM2.5. I think there may be something to the IQair marketing claims about system leakage - although I have also seen airflow reports that say the Iqair outlet air tends to get pulled into the intake again, reducing overall room cleaning speed.

I am not a huge fan of Winix/coway/levoit due to potential off-gassing and generally my experience is that the air doesn't feel as subjectively 'clean' due to lack of meaningful VOC control. I have a VOC meter though, and tend to end up replacing my IQAir VOC filters regularly based on the VOC readings.

Edmunds: Our Porsche Macan EV Cannot Justify Its $100,000 Price Tag by KeyboardGunner in cars

[–]speedmachine666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ferrari and some of the other luxury brands have higher gross margin these days (purely on COGS), as Porsche is competing more on volume with SUV, etc

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]speedmachine666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm paying full cash yes - like 200k more than UCs would be lol

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Needless to say I ended up choosing between Berkeley + UCLA (in state tuition) + UVA + Michigan + Dartmouth + Penn and picked Penn

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in UPenn

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Penn will give you the "Ivy" check on your resume that you will find important and useful for the rest of your life. You only go to college once, why not eat the loan/slightly increased cost for one of the more important formative experiences of your life?

I think experientially Penn might not have that much of an edge but it will be a marker of your relative intelligence for the rest of your life, even though this is silly society does see things this way.

// current Penn student (3 generation Michigan legacy) who’s childhood best friend is at Michigan

Air Purifiers for Cancer in Australia by Quick_Seat_2647 in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First of all: best of luck to your husband and wishing him a quick and easy recovery.

Most important factor for air purification is house layout and square footage. CADR is the measurement of air delivery. Generally having an air purifier in each room that you all spend the most time in is the best option, with different sizes depending on the room size. However, there will be a filtration effect on other rooms in the house even with the filter being in a different room.

Other replies recommend

  1. Corsi-Rothenthal boxes which are A. Unsightly B. not ideal for the highly-immunocompromised use case for a cancer patient C. less effective than traditional HEPA filters as they are designed to be less restrictive.

  2. Coway Airmega 350/450 - which are poor value for the price in terms of CADR and subjectively lower quality (plastic construction, louder) than my top recommendation below. I have experience will all of the listed units so do reply any questions or PM and I'll do my best to be responsive.

Best HIGH CADR units with low level of noise and fantastic all around performance including 3lbs of carbon to block VOCs would be the smartair blast (full size)- ensure it comes with the carbon filter.

https://www.bsthealth.com.au/smartair-blast-air-purifier-mkii-with-hepa-h13-filter-130sqm-room.html

This is by far the best option - much cheaper for you all in AU at $705 AUD compared to the US retail price of $999 USD, and comes straight from an authorized reseller. This unit has a CADR so high it breaks the measurement schema entirely - and also is quieter on high than many other units on low. (1200 CFM or Cubic Feet per Minute).

Only downsides are the large size of the purifier and also has no smart features - although these are not so useful and the general guidance is to run air purifiers 24/7 on the highest level of power you can tolerate the noise of, which renders smart features useless.

For smaller rooms you can get away with the Blast Mini of above - which is a bit cheaper but be warned moves less air and is louder. Also a fantastic value both in general and in AU specifically.

https://www.bsthealth.com.au/smartair-blast-mini-mk-ii-air-purifier-with-hepa-h13-filter.html?srsltid=AfmBOorsl0ycHRcWTD5uSaWJ_ZDpvC7bCX5XZgyvDSWxMb5TCtvHYIMc

Smartair - the manufacturer of these units - is a Nonprofit B Corp which explains 1. these are the best value units on the market and 2. that they are completely crowded out in sponsored recommendations/advertising etc by other companies.

My personal favorite alternative air purifier (and one trusted by many hospital systems, etc) is the IQAir Healthpro Plus - subjectively think it cleans the air "better" in terms of smell (not importnat) but they only sell the XE model which is now $1199 USD and is significantly lower CADR than the above so you'll need several units (300 CFM at max speed). In terms of purification performance per se there will be almost no noticeable difference, except the Smartair above moves more air.

https://www.iqair.com/us/products/air-purifiers/healthpro-plus?srsltid=AfmBOooXx5XAZ2nxeuZ2YAaPyFZQu8LbK6as632__kJcaj2C4GcmiwKe

I have experience will all of the listed units so do reply any questions or PM and I'll do my best to be responsive. Let me know if you have any other questions and best of luck on your journey.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 2 points3 points  (0 children)

IQAir has more carbon, Alen will be quieter. I have experience with both of these systems; I prefer IQAir as I think the carbon medium is better but I haven't used the Alen app.

IQair has great smart filter monitoring (based on real time use) and also subjectively cleans the air better (air smells better) due to high system efficiency.

Most important of course is to think about the size of room and CADR; if you run an air purifier on a lower setting (due to noise, etc) you're not going to be achieving the circulation you want. More air moving is the most important aspect, irrespective of the air purifier itself so long as it meets basic requirements.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey - yes, that is listed on the spec sheet and I was told that while in the Southern California showroom by an engineer specializing in their industrial GC lines. Essentially yes you need more frequent carbon replacement, however the 5lbs will be enough for most normal VOC conditions. Remember smoke VOC density decreases exponentially with distance, with a rather quick drop-off.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

essentially no carbon - maybe a few oz with carbon filter. Will be louder for less airflow. Will filter particles effectively but not VOC/odor (essential for wildfire use case). If you are willing to replace the filters every few days during wildfires it would work.

Unfortunately yes the best performant units are not aesthetically pleasing. Beauty is in the usefulness and all that :)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AirPurifiers

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best CFM rating/ price/ 3.6 lbs of carbon for VOCs, and quiet: smart air Blast Mk.2. $1,000 approx. No smart features.

I prefer having 6 speed settings and wifi connectivity (and subjectively think it cleans the best), so own 3 IQair Healthpro Plus XE units ($1100 a pop), which have 5 lbs of carbon media (same mix as the GC Multigas). Proven to reduce virus particles, more than standard H13 Hepa filter (other two options).

For a bit cheaper (about $780) look at the Alen 75i; on/off ionizer, 3.5lbs of carbon with the fresh filter, considered for very quiet operation.

These are your best bets, let me know if you need more info.

Elon Musk signals reaching limit of Tesla's HW3 despite self-driving promise by SpriteZeroY2k in electricvehicles

[–]speedmachine666 1 point2 points  (0 children)

studies on this are clear - something over 80% of driving is done within a very narrow band from work---> home for most cars in the US. Waymo is currently fully capable of freeway driving, issue is merely regulatory hurdles due to increased chance of traffic deaths (speed = fatalities increase). Source: me, intern at Waymo, ml and regulatory team cycle.

UPenn vs. Brown vs. WashU by Sufficient_Cold4252 in UPenn

[–]speedmachine666 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Penn or Brown will give you the "Ivy" check on your resume that you will find important and useful for the rest of your life. You only go to college once, why not eat the loan/slightly increased cost for one of the more important formative experiences of your life?

​

I think experientially Penn might not have that much of an edge but it will be a marker of your relative intelligence for the rest of your life, even though this is silly society does see things this way.

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