The 3M Filtrete Ultra Clean air purifier is remarkably less expensive than the other air purifier brands in its class. I wondered if the lower price point affected its performance and reliability. I studied this 3M Filtrete air purifier to see what we could find. Is this a cost-effective product or a just a cheap appliance? 3M offers a wealth of products under its significant brand and has always stood out for quality so I didn’t know what to expect. The fact that this air purifier was in some cases almost $100 or more under the other comparative products, I didn’t have high hopes either but I wanted to be pleasantly surprised. On the design, the 3M Filtrete air purifier is a simple white appliance with smooth curves and rounded shapes. This makes it easy to place in any room without being intrusive. This air purifier’s dimensions are 18L x 9W x 27H inches so it stands a bit high to fit on a table and go unnoticed. The product itself weighs more than 22 lbs, which frankly seemed a bit heavy to me.

This air purifier is also a very basic system. It has 3 speeds that are controlled by a rotary knob. It lacks a lot of features you might see on other, more expensive brands. If you don’t care about gadgetry then this is a good system for you. As far as performance, the 3M Filtrete air purifier 58dB noise output (compared to 65dB in other competitive models). For a basic model, this system is quieter than I would have expected. Based on many air purifier reviews that I came across, it is stated that it was quiet in a small room and didn’t interfere with conversation noise. For CADR (clean air delivery rate) ratings, a random check of 3 other competitive models roughly within the same price range and size, the 3M Ultra Clean air purifier was well above the rest. For the money, this air purifier performs and then some. There are very few times when an appliance performs better than what you’d expect for the money but this is one pleasing exception to the rule. When it comes to the systems filters, this is where it got troubling.

Most high-end air purifiers have a multi-layered filtration system that helps collect as much dust particles and pollen as possible. The 3M Filtrete air purifier filter only has one. The accordion style design of the filter is difficult to clean as well. Still, the system does alert you with a change warning light when the filter is in need of replacement. It is interesting that such a seemingly inadequate filtration system can produce the CADR results that it does. The only place you can get these filters is online so don’t bother heading out to the store to find replacements, they won’t be there. You will be happy to know that the Filtrete air purifier filter replacements are less expensive than competitive filters as well. One neat trick that I’ve picked up from the various reviews written by fellow air purifier users is by doing some vacuuming on the filter between replacing, it will prolong the life of the filter. Consumer reviews revealed a 4 or 5 out of 5 star rating overall.

Of the high raters, the majority cited its sleek design as a great feature and reason for buying the product. Raters also marvelled at the quietness of the system, even on higher speeds. The reviews of air quality as a result of using this system were consistent with a highly rated product and also in line with test findings mentioned about referring to its CADR compared to others.ionic air purifier danger For drawbacks from even the better ratings, most stated the fact that it is a larger air purifier so you will have to plan on a place to put it in your room. air duct cleaning concord ncOne reviewer recommended finding a wall to lean it up against so it is out of the way.sharper image air purifier s1871 For reviews that were 3 stars or less, the comment that stands out the most is the fact that the air purifier seems to put out a “burning wire” or “warm electronic” smell when it is running for a while.

It does not appear to be an indicator of anything dangerous but it was well-noted on the review site. Another reviewer reported that his air purifier stopped working after 3 years. Maybe this is not a long life for air purifier in general but for the price, I am not shocked and since he was the only reviewer who had this comment I am wondering if this is a “one off” situation as well. The 3M Filtrete air purifier is quite an over achiever for the price. I couldn’t find anything negative that would make me say this wouldn’t be a good purchase. If you need air purifying performance and don’t have much cash, this could very well be the best air purifier model that you can get. If you are looking for an air filter because your allergy or asthma is getting in your way, you may want to check which air purifiers work best for your allergies. Or if you’re a pet owner and trying to rid your air of all the pet hairs (and smell), you may want to check which air purifiers are designed to remove odor effectively.

No question is more likely to stir up a hornet’s nest of debate (if not brawl) among heating, cooling, and air conditioner (HVAC) professionals than “Which air filter should I use for my home?” Opinions vary so widely because over the years technicians have seen everything that the wrong kind of air filter can do to a home’s HVAC system: from coils, motors, and blowers too clogged by weak filters to burnt-out motors and controls because of too-restrictive filters. HVAC air filters are important for removing contaminants from the air to improve your home’s air quality. The better the air quality, the better your HVAC system runs and the better your family’s health. Air filters are rated according to their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). Created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), it’s a porousness scale that goes from 1 to 16, with most home air filters ranging from 4 to 13 MERV. The higher the MERV, the more contaminants that are removed from the air.

Air filters are made from different materials in different thicknesses and sizes. These factors effect their MERV. Unfortunately, one of the biggest selling filter products, 3M’s Filtrete, do NOT use MERV, preferring its “Microparticle Performance Rating” (MPR) instead. Fortunately, there is a place to compare the numbers. Be aware, too, that some retailers also use their own rating system instead of MERV. A decade ago, it used to be that if you had an HVAC system that used panel filters rated 6 through 9 MERV, putting in a MERV 11 or higher filter would restrict airflow (known as filter pressure drop). In turn, this would lengthen the system’s run-time, adding to your heating and cooling costs. This assumption is not entirely the case anymore. Newer pleated filtering media increases the filter’s surface area so that while the filter might be finer, there’s more area for air to pass through. The more pleats per foot, the better. The thicker the filter, the more surface area per pleat.

So, while the filter pressure drop issue still has some impact, a 2009 Home Energy experimental test concluded that “…if no accommodations are made for the greater pressure drop of high-MERV filters, air flow and energy penalties are not likely to be severe — at least, not until the filter is loaded with dirt.” If you are renting and do not have allergy problems or pets or live in an area with excessive dust, then buying cheap spun fiberglass filters with a cardboard frame every three months should work out fine. They’re not a good investment if you own your home because these filters are flimsy and prone to leak dust into the HVAC system. That dust can build up on coiling coils and motors and threaten to cost more over time in repairs than you might save from using cheaper filters. If you are going to invest in washable filters, then expect to pay more than $20 each for a 8 MERV filter. Cheaper washable ones will have loose filter media, especially after washing, and thus will perform poorly there after (caveat emptor).

Keep in mind that disposable filters are more hygienic because all the dirt gets removed from your home when you toss out the filter. Higher MERV pleated filters do a much better job now that in the past. While the key to better filtration vs pressure drop lies in getting the most pleating per foot, it’s safe to say that newer filter designs have less air flow issues at higher MERV. More important, they are more effective than the median-grade pleated filters at improving indoor air quality (and potentially better health) for you and your family. All the same, you still need to replace them every three months so price is a concern. For a standard sized 16″x25″x1″ 11 MERV filter, expect to pay $5 or more per filter but you can save a little when you buy them in packs of 12. Antimicrobial or electrostatic treatments also add to the filter’s cost. Some top brands within this general size range are Filtrete, Purolator, and Nordic Pure. Replacements for thicker (two to five inches) pleated 11+ MERV filters that require compatible framing to the air handler (see photo) and should follow the manufacturer’s recommendation because a thinner, cheaper filter won’t fit properly and so won’t work.