Honeywell/Enviracaire Aftermarket Prefilters #34002 (2 pk)
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Personal Care and Health Product Information: Manufacturer: RPS Brand: Honeywell Edition: Kitchen Publisher: RPS Studio: RPS Music Label: RPS Product features:
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Price List for Honeywell/Enviracaire Aftermarket Prefilters #34002 (2 pk)
| New | New Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $5.94 |
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Product Reviews of the Honeywell/Enviracaire Aftermarket Prefilters #34002 (2 pk)
Product Review: Needs more activated carbon, generic or not
Summary: 2 Stars
These generic brand(s) have the same in thickness as the available Honeywell version. Honeywell has changed to a "Universal Replacement" version for all it's prefilters, and yes, they are (all) not as thick as they once were. I have recently used both Honewell and other manufacturer's versions of this product, results seem the same for any maker. Thickness may not be the issue, read on to see why.
The key seems to be the activated carbon component or lack thereof. Some of these prefilters seem almost non-effective to the point I've considered they might be just sprayed/colored black, and could be lacking (or highly under utilizing) any activated carbon. I am concerned about quality control here. The original filters were, at first, terrific, giving a thrilling improvement in my breathing. However, this result dissipated quickly, I suspect because of the surface area of the activated carbon being "used up" in having done it's job.
The "Universal Replacement" prefilters are less thick than the original prefilters, but increased thickness may not be the solution. I have tried doubling them. After a point, a certain thickness of the mesh prefilters is sufficient to collect particulates (dust, pollen, lint etc). The prefilter stops larger stuff, the inner, HEPA filter takes out smaller (specs say to .03 microns). But the porosity of the mesh prefilter must be balanced to let air come in while allowing an efficient quantity of air to come into contact with the activated carbon surface. Once the carbon is "used up" it is no longer effective. At that point the machine may still be filtering particulates, but no longer effects VOC's and other things for which the activated carbon is useful.
My solution is to change these prefilters very, very frequently (twice a week!). The prefilters have 2 jobs, but they cease to be usfull as active carbon components long before they stop being useful as larger particulate filters. It's fairly easy to feel the results. New prefilter = better breathing. I have reduced household contaminants/exposure. It's unlikely that there is an unusual out-gassing problem in my home. I have had similar difficulties at multiple venues.
To clean the air, the air must contact the carbon (this is why the noisy fans, an entire review issue in itself, are be necessary). I'm now researching units containing much larger amounts of activated carbon (like Austin Air HealthMate). My concern is the surface area of the activated carbon. Despite having 17 pounds of carbon in them, once the surface area of the carbon becomes coated with the contaminantes it removes, new air just passes over. Will I need to have a truckload of the carbon beads/rocks in the garage? Could a stirring mechanism/some way to clean/recycle the carbon beads be added? I'd love constructive responses.