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Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 May - July: Buyers Banter (ARCHIVES): Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier users admin

Author Message
Pcakes2
Member

08-29-2001

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 3:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am thinking about purchasing one of these. It is the kind that is sold at Sharper Image and is advertised on TV.

Does anyone have one??? If so, are you happy with the performance?

Years ago I had a hepa-filter device, but those filters cost a fortune. This one has the collection thing that just needs to be wiped down with a sponge.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 3:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
my dad has one and he loves it. the air smells so good in his bedroom (that's where he has it). i just can't afford one right now, they're DANG expensive!

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 3:17 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
We had one and took it back, Pcakes - it was crap. We even tried to get them to keep the free gift of a bathroom-outlet sized ionizer, and they wouldn't, it was so bad. It just plain doesn't work and it is not worth the investment. We have a Flair ionizer that does yeoman's service, though - you'd never know a smoker lives here. It may be a hepa-filter device, though - I don't know. I'll have Colossus check in with his comments. The Flair cost about the same as the Sharper Image Ionizer, but it works about 100 times better.

Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 3:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, I hate to disagree with you GAL, however I must on this topic. We have had an Ionic Breeze for almost 2 years and feel it is fantastic. It works so well for us! You wouldn't know we have 3 cats (including a 15lb male) and a 3yo dog in the house. About the only possible complaint we ever had was one piece that wasn't constructed very well which we discovered about 5 months after we bought it. (Note: We bought it at the Sharper Image Auction site for $165!) I called them to ask about a replacement part and they offered and sent the complete collector unit (about $30 now) absolutely free - including shipping!!

My only minor complaint is when we don't clean it just right, ie. don't get every drop of water off of the collector, it wants to make noises like it's dirty. Simple matter to finish drying it though so that's not a big deal.

It works so weel, in fact, when I get up in the morning I can't even smell the freshly brewed coffee in the kitchen because of it.

JMM has already informed me that if this one ever stops working, we will be replacing it ASAP! In fact, the main reason we bought it was because she's allergic to cats!

Hope this helps.

<ps: We also have 2 adult smokers in the house but don't tell anybody!! This does require us to clean the unit a little more frequently then they suggest but it's sure worth it, IMO!>

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 4:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm thinking maybe you just haven't been properly spoiled with a Flair, Draheid. LOL. Hell, maybe we just got unlucky and picked up a bad unit. Nonetheless, we couldn't get it back to the store fast enough. Colossus says alot of cuss words when he thinks about that thing, so I'll ask him to be gentle when he checks in.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 4:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
dra? can you give a link to the sharper image auction site? it would be much appreciated. i can afford it at that amount

Halfunit
Member

09-02-2001

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 5:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Landi - try this:

Sharper Image Auctions on Ebay

Dra turned me onto this and I've had my Breeze for a while and LOVE it.


Draheid
Moderator

09-09-2001

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 5:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Landi, there are now two options:

Sharper Image Online Outlet Store

or

Sharper Image Auctions

Hope that helps.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 8:09 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
This reminds me of product they were talking about on the radio...it is a little pad shaped like a lightbulb, it's coated with some anti-gas chemicals they use in military, you wear it in your underwear to control the smell of your gas! LOL
The guy talking about it said you have to make sure when you wear it you create a seal with it and your butt! LOL!!

The Dj said, what if ya break the seal?! LOL!

Curious1
Member

08-31-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 10:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dra turned me on to the sharper image auction site a while back too. I bought 3 of the Quadra's. We love them too. I do have a question for DRA though. The Quadra in my son's room gives off this funny smell. It is almost like a musty smell. It does pick up the cat dander which is what I need since he is allergic to cats but absolutely won't let me get rid of his babies. I was just wondering if you have any suggestions. I clean it well and often but not sure I've been drying it well enough. The thing is that even days after cleaning it his room will still have that smell. Do you think I should take it to my local sharper image store?

Jmm
Member

08-16-2002

Thursday, February 26, 2004 - 10:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Curious, Dra suggests that you try swapping out the unit in his room with another. That would tell you if it is a problem with the unit or something in his room that needs to be investigated further.

Tishala
Member

08-01-2000

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 1:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
There is something they use in the departmental office at school, a Living Air Classic (they have a website) and it is great! It looks like a small stereo speaker and the air smells like post-rain air. Very nice. No discernable office smells.

I have no first- or second-hand knowledge of the Ionic Breeze, although I contemplated buying one a couple years ago.

Citruscitygal
Member

08-07-2003

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 1:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
My son was sick contantly with sinus infections. We found out he was highly allergic to dust mites. On the recommendation of a friend who has severe asthma we bought an Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifier. We could tell a difference in the air quality within hours. We went back a couple days later & bought another one (we were pleased when they sold us the second one for half price even though it had been a few days since our original purchase). That was three years ago and it has made a world of difference in his health. He hasn't had a sinus infection since. About a year after our first purchase one of the purifiers malfunctioned. They gave us a brand new one, no questions asked (I did have the receipt). A month ago the other one was not working and they replaced that one with a brand new one and never even asked for the receipt. They are expensive, but Shaper Image did honor the 5 year warranty (which could concievably go on forever since they honor the new receipt they give you when you make an exchange). Bottom line, I can't put a price tag on keeping him healthy - he would be sick for months since some sinus infections are becoming resistant to antibiotics.
I highly recommend Ionic Breeze Quadra Silent Air Purifiers.

Pcakes2
Member

08-29-2001

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 7:55 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
WOW!!! Thank you all for your input. I knew I came to the right place for this. I think I will be getting one this weekend.

Ocean_islands
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, February 27, 2004 - 11:45 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
The Sharper Image Ionic Breeze has consistently achieved the LOWEST ratings among ALL air filters, according to Consumer Reports.

The company complained. Tests were reevaluated independently for accuracy. The Ionic Breeze stayed at the BOTTOM of the list. Why?

Because it has no fan. It works superbly within 1.5 or so feet in every direction of the device. This is obviously inadequate for most people.

Here is their quickpick on filter ratings:

"QUICK PICKS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Room air cleaners that are very effective with moderate operating costs:
19 Friedrich $500
21 Whirlpool $270
The Friedrich (19), an electrostatic precipitator, was among the best at removing dust and smoke. We found that its $72 auxiliary odor filter adds nothing to performance and may not need to be replaced annually. However, its collector plates do need periodic cleaning, and it may generate ozone and make a crackling noise. The Whirlpool (21), a HEPA filter, has fairly low upkeep costs for this type."

•21 Whirlpool AP45030HO, $ 270 $64 average energy cost per year, $ 130 average filter cost per year.

www.consumerreports.org Paying membership required.



Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 10:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Would anyone know if these Ionic Purifiers would work for mold. I live in Florida and found that I had a problem with mold behind a wall in my bedroom last year. I paid a fortune to have the wall cut and the mold treated. This past month, however, I've woken up with very sore and watering eyes and have to assume the "treatment" did not work. I've been sleeping in the spare bedroom the past couple of nights but want to get back to my own bed soon. If I knew that one of these purifiers would work effectively on mold, I'd buy it in a heatbeat. Thanks!

Halfunit
Member

09-02-2001

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 11:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie - sounds to me you need a good dehumidifier rather than an air cleaner.



( And just a small reply to OI's post:

I have my Breeze in my living room, which is 11x22. I can tell a difference in the whole room. It doesn't have a fan, but the air that it forces out can be felt 10 feet away; at least in my house, with my machine.

I like the fact that it works for me. Nothing to replace, just a grid to clean - even more infrequently now that I've quit smoking. I don't use it when I'm burning candles or using a diffuser. #1 the oils collect on the grid quick, and #2 I want it to smell pretty in the room, not clean it, lol.

Bottom line: if you're interested in one, buy it. If it doesn't do what you want it to do, send it back. )


Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:21 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Half, if there's mold growing between an inside and an exterior wall, would a dehumidifier help that? The wall isn't damp or anything, either to the touch or measured with a moisture meter. I think it's the mold spores that are getting to me. BTW, I've been surfing around for the past hour and have found some Ion Towers on Ebay selling really cheaply. Can't imagine that they're as good as the Ionic Breeze you have, Half, as there's such a discrepancy in price. God, it all gets so confusing, but I can't get around with one functioning eye for too much longer so I'll have to do something quick.

Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 12:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
GAL, does your Flair look like this one:

flair

Goddessatlaw
Member

07-19-2002

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 5:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yes Ma'am, 'ceptin it's white. Is that yours?

Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 6:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
No, I've just been surfing around checking out all the recommendations above, looking for something that might work for me. Think I found what I need :-)

Halfunit
Member

09-02-2001

Saturday, February 28, 2004 - 9:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie - sorry it took so long for me to get back to you.

I really don't know about mold between walls. I guess you would have to find the source of the mold. I know Florida is humid, but not that humid.

Have you had a home inspector or someone take a look at it?


Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Sunday, February 29, 2004 - 9:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yes Half, it's not an uncommon problem here. Once moisture gets in (mine happened through a crack in the outside wall--the sprinkler was shooting right thru it)mold develops and spreads very quickly. When I called my insurance company upon finding the problem, they announced that they don't cover mold and then dropped me two days later...another common occurence in Florida. I'd been with them for 19 years too!

I'm so bummed today...despite using the HEPA/UV air purifier I ran around all afternoon yesterday to find, I woke up about two hours ago with the same problem in my eye. Puffy, watering, and painful. Guess I'll have to try the Ionic Breeze Quadra next. Thanks for all your input in this thread--it was very helpful.

Webkitty
Member

07-24-2001

Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 7:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie, you poor thing. I recently moved out of Florida in part because of the mold factor.
It IS that humid there. I can remember news stories about whole buildings having to be abondoned because of it. Ug.
Nice friendly people but the climate is for the birds, imo.
(unless your vacationing from the frozen tundra, then its a nice break)

I tried all sorts of machines when I lived there and nothing seemed to work. Now I live in northern Arizona Ahhhhh, the dry pure air! (I have my window open right now)

I hope you can find a solution soon Cassie.

Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, March 11, 2004 - 9:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks so much Webkitty. I've bought three purifiers since last writing: 2 hepas and one ionic breeze. I also saw my PC last week who prescribed (very expensive) eye drops and set me up to see an opthamologist next month. Also, sent me to an allergist and tomorrow, I'll have the first set of tests done. Since the eyedrops, my eye has been much better, but I have to agree with you, the climate here seems to get harder to take each year. Thankfully, this week has been gorgeous...we had a cold front come thru and we have a beautiful spring breeze with mid-high 70's. Great weather for getting all the flowers planted :-) Glad you're happy in Arizona--it's a beautiful state.

Ocean_islands
Member

09-07-2000

Friday, March 12, 2004 - 7:16 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Are there mold problems in buildings made of cement, or only those made of wood?

Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Friday, March 12, 2004 - 8:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Ocean: Bricks, cement, you name it. There are so many "sick buildings" here it's not funny. One building at the college campus I work in was condemned by the Health Dept last year. The janitors would scrub the wall down with bleach each Friday night and by Monday morning, the black mold was visible again on the walls. Honestly! For years before the building was condemned, faculty and students had been having allergic reactions in this building (some serious enough to call for paramedics.) Unfortunately, the problem was denied for years by the administration. In fact, the pulminary specialist I go to for asthma, is in a building which reeks of mold. As soon as I get out of the elevator on his floor, it hits me. Yet when I mention it, all his staff deny smelling anything! It's a prevalent problem in Florida and once it's in the walls, extremely difficult to remedy.

Purplecow
Member

12-08-2003

Friday, March 12, 2004 - 5:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Cassie, It's possible that what's irritating your eyes is the residual of the heavy dose of chlorine that was used to treat the mold.I think the symptoms of mold allergy are most often related to respiration.

Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Friday, March 12, 2004 - 6:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yes but it can definitely affect the eyes too. I don't think the chlorine residual, if any, is causing me any problem. I began allergy testing today and will complete all the tests by next week. Hopefully they can pinpoint something.

Webkitty
Member

07-24-2001

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 10:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I use bleach all the time for laundry and cleaning and don't have a problem with it.
Houses and buildings constructed of all types of materials have to be power washed with a bleach solution before they can be painted in Florida because of the mold factor.

Mold can occur anywhere, and most people are probably thinking of the green, grassy type of mold that grown in the woods up North. Tropical, black mold is stronger and can cause serious illness if someone is allergic/sensitive and is exposed over time.

If mold takes hold between the walls and grows, its expensive and hard to get rid of. Its common in Florida to have a wall ripped out to try and get rid of it.
(things they don't tell you when your thinking of moving there)

If you are a person who is NOT sensitive to it, you 'might' be able to live in a house for years and not even know it. You might get more colds (or what you THOUGHT were colds,) or other various symptoms and never make the connection.

Case: My brother lives up North. His finished off basement rec room reeks of mold. It was so strong I almost passed out. I had to get out of there after only a few minutes and felt sick the rest of the day. He said, its smells a little musty down here but I kinda like it. His wife didn't notice anything at all. His two little girls hate being down there and are ALWAYS sick. I tried to tell them.....they have the money and insurance to have the girls tested and the room fixed, but his wife never heard of such a thing as being allergic to mold like that, and that it could 'grow' inside a house (college graduate) so she has dismissed the notion and chaulks the girls being sick all the time to school. ~shrug~ what can I do?

Symptoms of mold allergy are not limited to respiratory. Swollen ears and glands with sharp shooting pains, gastro-intestinal problems, burning eyes and lungs, headache/migraine, sore throat and depression.

I wish I could ccp so I could bring over articles about 'sick building' syndrom that suffer from black mold.

Anyway, Cassie, if you are renting, is there a possiblity you could move? If not, have you considered selling? This may seem drastic, but suffering from this allergy is misery, I know.
Good luck sweetie, I'll be thinking of you!
(hope those machine are helping)


Cassie
Member

07-15-2000

Saturday, March 13, 2004 - 2:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hey Webkitty :-) Having lived in Florida, sounds like you are only too well acquainted with this problem. I'm betting that's why you had to move...I think a move right out the State is on the cards for me too. I own this house but I'm battling it out with the insurance company right now, so can't sell until something's final, if ever. It's all moving at a snail's pace (you know Florida!!) but who knows, I might even end up out in Arizona. Thanks for your support and yes, the HEPA machine seems to be working in the bedroom. The ionizer isn't doing as well. Good to see you back posting, Webkitty :-)