My IQair says it's time for a new HEPA filter. But I notice the old filter doesn't look dirty at all compared to the premax. Anyone else notice this?
1328094
Your HEPA filter will never look as dirty as your premax since the premax is filtering out all the larger particles of dirt. The HEPA will plug up with such small particles that you won't be able to see the dirt like you do with the Premax. I always change my HEPA when it tells me to.
1328095
We changed ours recently, but never really looked that close. The prefilter will be the dirtiest for sure, since air flows thru there first. The IQAir said it was time to change it so we did.
1328096
The 'change your filter' indicator is based on how you set up the filter, i.e. high dust, low dust, etc. If your original set-up choice for the filter indicated you are in a high dust environment, the program will set the number of hours you can run your filter based on that. If you set it to 'high dust' and your environment is actually much cleaner, then the timer will tell you to change the filter but the filter will actually be quite clean. I do not believe the IQ Air actually senses the state of your filter, it gives you a prompt to change filters based on whether you select a "high dust' or 'low dust' environment and the number of hours the filter is used. So I would re-program it to 'low' when you install your next filter. If you believe this to be the case with this filter then let the IQ Air continue running even with the message. I have found that when the red 'change filter' light comes on I still have a few weeks before the light changes from orange to red, then starts flashing. I usually ignore the light and messages until I am ready to change.
218482
I suspect that Trend would say NO; however, I have been cleaning mine by shaking or beating the outside dust off and using compresses air to assist from the inside of the filter.So far it seems to be working for me. I have extra filters on hand for the time when I consider the current filters too dirty or worn. You can also use the airflow meter to evaluate the state of the filters.
1844412
I was initially confused about this too. The AC5000 unit (black, silver control area, blue UV light tower unit) used to use 2 filters "pushed together" on top of each other, but now it seems to be a single filter and more expensive too! Yikes!Hope this helps. FYI: if you have the AC5000 unit, you can get the older filter style which cost 15 less then this one!! Same thing!!!It is called: "FLT5000 Filter-C True HEPA Replacement Filter"
2242422
Read my review on the Winix -- I'd pass on that one if I were you. I am not a big HEPA filter fan -- they are EXPENSIVE to replace and once nasty bugs get trapped, well, they can reinfect you. I'd look for something with electrostatic plates you can clean at no added costs.
1113137
We've never changed the filters. The hepa filter hasn't needed it yet and the foam one we just clean with soapy water and dry with a blow dryer and reuse. Sorry I couldn't be or more help.
1437243
No, but it last for 12 months under normal use. If you have a relatively high useage, I would check it more often. On the other hand, the charcoal pre-filter that comes with most air cleaner units is washable and should be changed every 3 months which should help your HEPA filter last for the advertised 12 months (Google cleaning charcoal filters). And lastly, they do make "washable" HEPA filters...THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE and I haven't seen many good reviews.
343774
Yes, we also got a same problem. We've used the 17000 for 2 years without any problem. But, suddenly, it started smell fishy. We bought a new HEPA filter and replaced the old smelly one. After around 3 months, the same fishy smell started again. Now, we don't use it because we don't want to pay more on the HEPA filter. One very suspicious cause, we thought, is the scented candle.
754829
I've been changing the charcoal ones about three months(that's what they say to do),and that seems to be working out ok. You can take the cover off, and see how much stuff has accumulated on the filter, and I guess make your own determination. Have not changed the HEPA yet, I will probably go for the year, and see if it looks like it needs to be changed. It probably will. It's my feeling that most companies have spent lots of $$$$$ testing their products under varying conditions, and have set up the change intervals to optimize performance. 04/12/2014 Just changed the complete set of filters after about a year. The red HEPA light came on, and I ordered a complete set. I figure the cost is about a quarter a day. Not an issue for the increase in air quality. Hint: (1)Press and hold the reset button until it blinks, then it will go out.(2) Use a small hand vac with brush to clean the sensor area, it will pick up impurities quicker, hence, the fan speed increases quicker and doesn't have to run faster as long. After a year, we are completely satisfied with the EL500.
425962
Dear Mel, Thank you for your question. We typically recommend changing the filters of the BioGS 2.0 air purifier every 18 months based on average indoor air quality and 24/7 operation. It is possible you may need to replace the filters more often if you have more harsh air quality or high concentrations of air pollutants. It is normal for the color of the filter to change over time as the pollutants will be captured by the filters in the air purifier. We would recommend trying to maintain the filters more often to see if that will help. We hope this information is useful. Please feel free to let us know if there is anything else we can assist you with. Thank you and have a great day! Kind Regards, Rabbit Air Customer Care Team
1176356
Is this a new filter unit? If it is new, sounds like defective to me. My experience has been that the filters always end up leaking when it is time to replace. Quality of workmanship and design is not directed at longevity.
1230663
I have had my DC 17 for about 6 months and went to clean the filter this week for the first time & found it to be spotless. There wasn't a fleck of dirt or dog hair on it. Does this make sense to anyone?
719962
The hepa-filter last forever, if you keep the carbon pre-filter clean~ when I run it full blast 24/7, I vacuum the pre-filter, by laying it flat on the carpet, dirt side up, using the attachment hose without an attachment. after about 2 or 3 years the pre-filter gets kinda limp, then I change it. I think 4 pre-filters come in a box.
669866
According to the booklet, when to replace the HEPA filter depends on hours used, air quality, and location of the unit. In most cases the unit will need to be replaced annually, and it should be changed after the 'change filter' light comes on. For best performance change the carbon pre-filter every 3 months. It warns specifically: "Caution, do not wash and reuse the true HEPA filter or the carbon pre-filter as they will not work effectively." Having said that, I have vacuumed the carbon pre-filter with a vacuum cleaner attachment since it collects a huge amount of dust. I haven't needed to change the HEPA yet. According to the booklet, when to replace the HEPA filter depends on hours used, air quality, and location of the unit. In most cases the unit will need to be replaced annually, and it should be changed after the 'change filter' light comes on. For best performance change the carbon pre-filter every 3 months. It warns specifically: "Caution, do not wash and reuse the true HEPA filter or the carbon pre-filter as they will not work effectively." Having said that, I have vacuumed the carbon pre-filter with a vacuum cleaner attachment since it collects a huge amount of dust. I haven't... » Read More According to the booklet, when to replace the HEPA filter depends on hours used, air quality, and location of the unit. In most cases the unit will need to be replaced annually, and it should be changed after the 'change filter' light comes on. For best performance change the carbon pre-filter every 3 months. It warns specifically: "Caution, do not wash and reuse the true HEPA filter or the carbon pre-filter as they will not work effectively." Having said that, I have vacuumed the carbon pre-filter with a vacuum cleaner attachment since it collects a huge amount of dust. I haven't needed to change the HEPA yet. « Show Less
627440
My first filter made the air smell fantastically fresh and clean. It wore out before the warranty and the new filter made the air smell ... odd ... kind of dirty, right from the beginning. I read somewhere that this might be a result of them being stored somewhere where they pick up odors. That could be the problem for you. If it has been fine for a long time and had just recently started smelling bad, it is likely that your filter just needs to be replaced (a bad smell is a sign that the filter has just had it and you need a new one).
835843
If you look at the HEPA filter, you'll see what look like "hooks" for the lack of a better word. The filter slides into these and sits flat on top of it happen filter. Very simple. They need to be replaced much sooner than the HEPA filter itself as they tend to get covered with dust and lose their potencyover time.
1875590
What I did was vacuum the actual blue filter thoroughly as it really didn't look very dirty even though I got a "change filter" message. Then I washed the plastic grid piece it fits into thoroughly and let it dry. I reassembled it and still got a change filter message. However, I discovered there is a tiny "reset filter" hole near the top of the inside of the unit where you place the filter. I stuck a paperclip in the hole and pushed, and now it's behaving as if it has a brand new filter! I think maybe if this is done on a regular basis that you can get a lot more use out of this unit, even though the filters are "no longer available."
1265600
Mine did this too. I bought a whole new one instead of filters. It's only a few bucks more and you dont have to mess with the filter even if its a little wasteful.