 simply the best in filtration |
| Review Date: December 31, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Mark Frost, Dallas, TX USA |
If economy is your primary weighted variable in the selection of an air filter, then the FAP02 is NOT for you. If however, breathing cleaner air is worth about $40/unit per year then this filter may be a good choice for you.
A few points to know about the filters before buying this unit.
One, this filter looks good. It seems designed to fit "up against a wall" and in this regard it is easy to position ascetically while still maintaining function (air filtering). Hence, it is both technically successful and yet offers a stylish design that does not junk- up a room.
Another nice feature is that it "sucks" from the back of the unit and "blows" out of the top, and therefore one is not simply blowing dust across the floor and behind furniture. And lastly, especially nice for the one in the bedroom, is it is very quite. On highest speed, the faint "hum" that can be heard is actually rather relaxing and in no way annoying. In short, a small audible footprint.
Now about filter price.
They are at first glance over-priced. Then, I considered what I was actually paying for: a relatively small and custom size (15.2x8.9). Indeed, it is this "small custom size" that makes the 3M-FAP02 so appealing in the first place!
Hence, unfortunately, for now, the filter replacements possess the an associated small-volume, high-margin pricing strategy. In economics speak, supply and demand are relatively low but the price-elasticity of the latter is very low -- the old "Schick Model -- give away the shavers and sell the blades."
There is no doubt that these filters trade at a relative premium and the resulting solution will in turn probably increase the annual maintenance costs over units which use "standard-size filters." However, here are two things you can do to essentially eliminate the "replacement filter gap" in this regard.
First, sweep the external (dirty) side of the filter once a week just enough to remove the build-up. The filter itself actually continues to filter well even after it becomes dirty; the problem with dirty filters is suction is usually reduced by the "stuff" that accumulates over time on the outside of the filter. Hence, keep the filter's outside edge free from build-up. On our weekly "sweeping day" we simply vacuum the back of the filter (the back cover pops off/on easily).
Second, If you don't want to sweep the filter, or as often, try using a very simple (and cheap) disposable "pre-filter" material to trap the big stuff -- like cat hair! :)
People vary widely in their preferences of course, but we have found these particular machines (3M FAP02) to be outstanding in both form and function; not merely in spite of, but even because of its current relatively high replacement filter prices. We have one in just about every major room. |
Best air filter machine ever!
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| Review Date: May 11, 2007 |
| Reviewer: D. Anderson, Midwest |
I have incredible allergies and have tried many filters machines to help clean the air. I have a whole house filter that connects to my furnace, and I change my regular furnace filters monthly and I still end up with dust and pollen in the house. Screen doors, garage doors, kids running in and out, etc... it all contributes.
I've bought the sharper image filters and other brands that claim to be great, but haven't been that impressed. I ended up buying this unit on because I've been very pleased with my 3M furnace filters.
I put this unit in my bedroom because that room gets more dust than most of my house along with the sleeping problems I'd have from dust.
Within two days I noticed I was sleeping better. Two weeks later I noticed that I hadn't needed to dust the room since I bought the machine.
Overall I'm very satisfied with the machine I have. It's reasonably quiet, ( I leave it set on 1, so I can barely hear it) it fit under a table in the room, so it didn't take up much space. It also has an interesting control dial with funky lights on it. Replacement filters are easy to find and from the looks of it I should only have to change them out every 4-6 months...
Of all the machines out there, this is far less gimmicky and actually works. I'd recommend it to anyone. |
Very Nice
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| Review Date: September 26, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Mike H, |
I'm not sure what is up with some of the reviews for this, but I'll add some input of my own. For one, it is not loud. It has three settings and even on setting number 3 I wouldn't call it very loud. In fact, the sound it makes helps me fall asleep at night.
The filters actually last awhile in my opinion. I live in a house with two cats (thought admittedly they're never in the room in question) and it the filter it came with lasted for months upon months. Mind you, this is with me NOT cleaning the filter like other people (though it is a good idea to do so).
The design of the unit is nice. It's not unattractive like some units out there and it's designed in such a way that it is non-obtrusive in the room. The spinning lights are actually pretty cool, and as another reviewer said, they're fun to play with :) Accessing and removing the filter is a breeze too. They are indeed expensive, but if you look hard enough, you can get a 6-pack for around $80. If you clean the filter every so often, then this 6-pack would last you for a very, very long time. Another poster suggested adding a less expensive filter in combination with the 3M filter. Though I'm not trying to say it'll work (I haven't done it yet), it is, in fact, a good idea. Anything to save money on products to increase health! |
Very good filtration
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| Review Date: July 9, 2008 |
| Reviewer: RJL, Texas |
| Our son has allergies and we have owned several different filters trying to find one that stops his sniffling and sneezing at night. This is the only one to date that has actually worked. No carbon prefilter, so you don't get removal of the nasty household organics that cause cancer, but it is a very good filter for particulates for allergies and asthma. |
works great - How to SAVE money on filters
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| Review Date: June 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: boomerhead, East Coast, USA |
These work great and are better than ionizer air filters. The big problem people have with this is filter replacement.
At my Practical, Healthy Stuff blog, I detail how to make the Filtrete filters really last! Basically, you attach the inexpensive, carbon prefilters from Honeywell (available here on Amazon) to the filter with velcro tape. These carbon filters are the exact right size, and they capture larger dust and gunk, as well as filter out chemicals and odors.
Oh yeah, like they say here, vacuum each regularly and you may get over a year's use from them! |
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