Spring cleaning

Comparing room air filters

BY JAMES DULLEY

To clean a large room such as this living room above, a room air filter should have a large fan. To maximize efficiency, run it on high speed for 30 minutes, then switch it to a more efficient low-speed setting until the room becomes unoccupied. (Photo by Andy Dean/Photospin.)

Dear Jim:

How can I tell which air cleaners are energy-efficient and most effective to help with allergies?

—Janice F., Thomasville

Dear Janice: One of the best methods to compare air cleaners is by their CADR (clean air delivery rating). This indicates the effectiveness of a room air cleaner as determined by the testing standards of the AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers). The CADR is recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association as a good representation of an air cleaner’s effectiveness.

A certified CADR rating should be listed on the packaging or in the user manual. You will see three CADR numbers referring to household dust, tobacco smoke and pollen. Even though there are other pollutants in a home, such as mold or pet dander, the range of the former three covers the gamut of most particles in room air.

CADR numbers begin less than 50 for small air cleaners to more than 300 for large, effective ones. Some air cleaners are better at removing smoke’s small particles, and others are more suited to remove pollen’s larger particles.

To circulate enough air effectively, the unit should have a fan. An air cleaner rated to clean a larger room will have a larger fan. To maximize efficiency, run it on high speed for 30 minutes, then switch it to a more efficient low-speed setting until the room becomes unoccupied.

If your house has a non-forced, air-heating system such as hot water radiant heat or electric in-floor heat, the air cleaner may not need to be run for a long period of time. Once there is no movement in a room, particles and allergens should not become airborne. To save electricity, install a timer and run it for 15 minutes.

The AHAM recommends that the CADR of a room air cleaner be two-thirds of a room’s square footage. For example, if your bedroom is 10-by-12-feet, and you are allergic to pollen, select an air cleaner with a minimum CADR of 80. Models with a higher CADR clean the air faster, but will likely cost more and use more electricity.

This model has a three-speed fan control, a dust CADR (clean air delivery rating) of 160 and uses 190 watts of electricity. (Photo courtesy Essick Air.)

HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) room air cleaners with a carbon element reduce odors and some volatile chemicals. The HEPA and carbon filters need to be replaced periodically, but they are very effective and reasonably quiet. Remember: To be a true HEPA, the model must state that it removes 99.97 percent of all particles 0.3 microns or larger.

Another effective design uses electrostatic precipitator technology with a circulation fan that gives the room’s air a charge and has an opposite-charged collection plate to attract particles. They often include a wire mesh prefilter to capture large particles. To ensure maximum effectiveness, both the prefilter and the collection plates must be removed and washed periodically. These are particularly effective for tiny particles such as smoke.

The following companies offer room air cleaners: Blueair, (888) 258-3247, www.blueair.com; Cloud 9, (630) 595-5000, www.4cloud9.com; Essick Air Products, (800) 826-2665, www.essickair.com; Kaz, (800) 447-0457, www.kaz.com; and LakeAir, (800) 558-9436, www.lakeair.com.

—Send inquiries to James Dulley, GEORGIA Magazine, 6906 Royalgreen Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

Immediate ‘Wow!’

Top three weekend home improvement projects

BY KATHY WITT

Fresh paint and window coverings can give new life to a room. (Photo ©2009 JUPITERIMAGES CORP.)

This weekend, give your aging bathroom a much needed facelift, and do it all in two days or less.

According to Sara Shragal of DirectBuy, the leading members-only showroom and home design center, three of the top home improvement projects that do-it-yourselfers (DIYers) can accomplish in a weekend are a bathroom remodel, replacing flooring, painting a room and replacing window treatments.

Bathroom beautiful
“You can replace your sink/vanity, toilet and flooring and paint your space,” says Shragal. “New light fixtures and faucets are quick replacements, as are towels, shower curtains and accessories.”

With bathroom remodels, required tools depend on the project, but generally include a ladder, tape measure, screwdriver, drill, hammer, pliers, a level and safety equipment, including protective glasses and gloves.

DIYers can gauge their project skill level on a scale from one to 10, with 10 being the most difficult: Painting your space (skill level 1-4) requires less expertise than replacing a toilet or light fixture (skill level 5-10).

Several variables affect pricing—but new light fixtures, faucet, towels and a shower curtain can cost under $100.

Painting and replacing everything—flooring, sink, toilet, shower, faucets, light fixtures, mirrors and towels—can range from $700 to $1,000 and up.

What lies beneath
Pulling out carpet and replacing it with laminate, cork or tile are trendy options that can be accomplished in a weekend for immediate wow.

Depending on the type of floor being installed, you will need a

hammer, nails, drill, circular saw, screwdriver, tape measure, and a carpenter’s square and pencil.

“For some laminates, a skill level of 2-3 will suffice,” says Shragal. “At the other end of the spectrum, for intricate mosaic tile, a skill level of 6-10 is desirable.” Price depends on room size and quality of materials, from as low as $100 for laminate flooring in a small bathroom to tens of thousands of dollars for imported tile in a large room.

Wall-to-wall drama
Perhaps the easiest jobs are painting a room and replacing window treatments.

“It’s no secret that a fresh coat of paint goes a long way in rejuvenating a room,” says Shragal. “Top that off with plantation shutters or wood blinds, and it’ll feel like completely new space.”

Tools include paint brushes/rollers, rags, a paint pan, drop cloth, tape, hammer, nails, a drill and screwdriver.

For most DIYers, painting requires more patience than skill, although some artistic proficiency is desirable for faux-painting techniques like sponging, stenciling and stippling.

Replacing window treatments can be as simple as hanging new curtains. Even hanging wood blinds is something anyone with a skill level of 5 or under can tackle.

“Coordinate window fashions with wall color, as low contrasts will keep the eye moving around the room,” advises Anne King, district sales manager for Hunter Douglas, a leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window fashions. “Reverse the technique to draw the eye to the window, and make the window or room appear smaller and cozier by using dark, warm colors and high contrast between the window and wall.”

A room with new paint and window treatments could cost as little as a few hundred dollars.

—Kathy Witt is an award-winning writer and author from Northern Kentucky.

FEATURED PRODUCT

Plexidor has a steel and hardened aluminum frame with a tough, shatter-resistant acrylic panel. It allows access to only those pets with a special clip-on collar key. (Photo courtesy Plexidor.)

Plexidor pet doors

Picture this: You’ve finally settled down to watch your favorite TV show, but now Fido or Fifi is scratching the door because they need to go out. With Plexidor, an automatic door that opens like a garage door, pets can go and come when they want.

The easy-to-install door comes in various sizes and includes a power cord, but the unit can also be hard-wired. Safe for pets and children, so there’s no worry of pinched tails or fingers. The door will not close when obstructed, and it won’t just “drop” when the power goes out.

Simply clip a special key to your pet’s collar, program the key with one of many codes, and your pet is set! The collar doesn’t require batteries, and codes can be changed as needed. The door will “sense” animals with the collar key and slide open. Most kits come with two collar keys, but additional ones may be purchased.

Pricing depends on the size of door needed. For more information, call (800) 749-9609 or visit www.dogdoors.com.