Do air purifiers work?

[Deja Q]

I'm an apartment dweller with no central heating or a/c.

Dust builds up quickly.

Having just dusted away 5 years' worth of dust (:wow:), and sneezing to death in the process, I've decided to look into these things.

Are there any models worth considering? Price ranges?

Or are they all rubbish?

Thanks!!

[Shoeempress]

1. They work for me, but be sure to get one that uses a Hepa Filter.

[Gothic Sponge]

2. Mine helps me. I have one with a Hepa Filter.

[BQueen]

3. Haven't tried it yet, but

Sharper Image makes one (Ionic Breeze) that doesn't involve filters (pain in the ass) and supposedly runs silently and on less electricity (28 watts). I mention it even though I've never tried since I gave their hand held steam cleaner a shot and it was SO much better than anything else out on the market. It actually worked as advertised. Good warranty too - 5 years.

They have a an auction website linked from SharperImage.com, where you may be able to get one for less than list, which is admittedly pricey. ($350 for 500 sq ft coverage size - second unit 1/2 off. Smaller is $250, second unit 1/2 off) just pulled the catalog (they will mail them endlessly if you ever order from them) and they just added one that kills germs with UV light and they have some Asthma and Allergy Foundation endorsement now.

Since they have new models, you may be able to get a better deal on the non-UV versions at the auction site than when I looked there last.

If you are just dusting after 5 years (and believe me, I am not throwing stones, my housekeeping is crappy) you might want to consider it - keeping up with filter changing (and you have to if you want it to be effective) can be difficult for those of us who are sometimes lax in the domestic chores department. With this one, all you have to do is pull out the middle part, wipe down the metal thingies with a damp cloth, let it dry, and put it back.