6 ms·

I've been reading stuff like this for some time now, I actually had our ventilation redone, albeit for non-Covid reasons because we had too much dust due to lea

by Natsu 5y ago

I've been reading stuff like this for some time now, I actually had our ventilation redone, albeit for non-Covid reasons because we had too much dust due to leaky vents causing asthma issues and it makes things a lot better even without worrying about Covid. I never could find any easy/good way to add UV to the mix without having to redo everything again, though. I wonder if anyone knows any easy/simple add-ons like the one we got to add a bidet to the toilet to deal with the TP shortages.

laurent92 5y ago
I’ve bought the Coway AP-1512AH which filters air, and is extremely silent, and I have a separate CO2-PM10-PM2.5 measurer. It does wonders against asthma. PMs go from 25microgram/m3 to 1 in half an hour, which I trust because the measurement tool is separate. I never succeeded to have less than 10 before the Coway. Before that, I would sneeze first thing in the morning, then sneeze by rows of 10 times in Spring, 30 times a day, nose bleeding from too much sneezing. I would also have an irritated bronchitis which gave me slight asthma (but enough to make me abandon intensive sports). Now I still have risk of asthma, but at least when I want relief, I close the windows, switch on the Coway, and breathe fresh air. I live in a city center of average density. However, CO2 fills up quickly. I wish I could find some portable air exchanger: Taking air from outside, exchanging temperature, and filtering. I’ve lodged a bit for a house which has that, I’m hoping I’m selected.
- josephst18 5y ago
  I would love to find a portable air exchanger too—opening windows helps with CO2 levels but it’s inefficient for most of the year in much of the United States. Built-in air exchangers with heat recovery are available but are a non-starter for anyone in a rented place. Unfortunately, no good solution exists so far
  - jeffbee 5y ago
    The good solution is to simply tax landlords to get decent ventilation installed.
  - Natsu 5y ago
    Yeah, I live in a place where, well, let's just say that opening the window for much of the year simply isn't done. I don't think some of my windows will even can be opened any longer due to having been closed for so many years.
- darkteflon 5y ago
  Can I ask why you chose this brand and this model? I’m looking for an air filter but have no idea which brands to trust.
  - beisner 5y ago
    Wirecutter recommends Coway
    - darkteflon 5y ago
      Thanks, [this](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-purifier/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-purifier...) was a great read from a trustworthy source. The AP-1512HH sounds like a great buy for most cases, although if you're particularly concerned about VOCs including exhaust fumes (we are - we live in a dense city, close to a main road), the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 is probably what you want. Used by "FEMA and the Red Cross ... for deployment at Ground Zero and the surrounding areas in the aftermath of 9/11", apparently.
    - TylerE 5y ago
      Careful with that... Wirecutter is known for recommending whoever gives them the biggest commission.
      - brianglick 5y ago
        Source?
        TylerE 5y ago
        https://www.xdesk.com/wirecutter-standing-desk-review-pay-to-play-model#:~:text=The%20Wirecutter%20is%20actually%20a,in%20exchange%20for%20fake%20reviews https://www.xdesk.com/wirecutter-standing-desk-review-pay-to....
  - laurent92 5y ago
    I chose it because someone mentioned it on HN, and said it was: - silent - HEPA - non-AI/IoT I was afraid it was a paid sponsored comment, but after comparing versions and prices, I tried it and was satisfied. It’s ugly though, looks straight out of the 60ies with its rounded corners.
- Natsu 5y ago
  I actually got one of those for the bedroom after reading someone mentioning it during another HN thread. It does seem to make the bedroom better, though I don't think it's quite enough for the whole house. I don't have any measuring devices to see the impact directly, though.
rolph 5y ago
there are a number of accesories available for your [lets call it HVAC] system UV is one electrostatic is another and a combination exists. quick DDG serch and here is a commercialized example that is basically imformative: https://aristair.com/blog/what-does-an-hvac-air-purifier-do/ https://aristair.com/blog/what-does-an-hvac-air-purifier-do/ UV will kill covid, ionic species such as ozone will kill covid, and electrostatic filtration will adsorb particles based on electrical charge rather than mechanical porousity, keep them in place and let the UV+ Ozone do its job.
pyk 5y ago
If you have forced air, you can get a UV bulb that all air passes by for $200-300 - just requires drilling some holes and an AC plug. Also helps with killing mold and bacteria as an added benefit (and some of the original intention for the devices, e.g., OdorStop).
- nradov 5y ago
  Are there any independent test results to show how effective those UV bulbs are at killing pathogens?
  - redis_mlc 5y ago
    > Are there any independent test results to show how effective those UV bulbs are at killing pathogens? Why, did you thoroughly research it before sealioning? No, you didn't. Here's the first google result: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/uv-lights-and-lamps-ultraviolet-c-radiation-disinfection-and-coronavirus https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and... UV is a well-known disinfectant. When camping, you can put naturally-found water in a clear plastic bag for a couple of hours in the sun. In some parts of Asia, they installed UV lights in their transit garages and irradiated buses overnight during corona.
  - schoen 5y ago
    I would particularly want guidance about * what UV frequencies to use * what intensity of light to use * what volume of air can flow past it per second I totally believe that UV light is great at killing pathogens and that UV belongs in ventilation systems, but we presumably need to know how much UV light is needed. The UV doses needed also seem to depend on a lot on the type of pathogen. For example, viruses require a higher dose than bacteria. In https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019665531500303X https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019665531... it required up to 6 times as much UV to inactivate viruses compared to bacteria.
jfkgktkrjt 5y ago
There are window particle filters (like insect nets): https://www.respilon.com/products/products/window-membranes/ https://www.respilon.com/products/products/window-membranes/
disabled 5y ago
The best place to get started on that is with Corbett Lunsford's books/videos/podcasts. His book, "Home Performance Diagnostics", is the ultimate resource [1]. He also has a YouTube channel [2] that has a ton of useful information on proper ventilation, humidification, and environmental safety, along with podcasts [3]. You can also check out his main site, Building Performance Workshop [4]. Alternatively, there are books on the subject of "building performance" that you may want to check out. [1] Home Performance Diagnostics Book: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Performance-Diagnostics-Advanced-Testing/dp/0615594751 https://www.amazon.com/Home-Performance-Diagnostics-Advanced... [2] Home Performance YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HomePerformance/videos https://www.youtube.com/c/HomePerformance/videos [3] the Building Performance Podcast: https://buildingperformancepodcast.com/ https://buildingperformancepodcast.com/ [4] Building Performance Workshop: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/
swader999 5y ago
I added this to my main furnace duct. Easier than the bidet upgrade. https://www.odorstop.com/os72pro-72-watt-uv-air-purifier-with-airflow-sensor-and-16-bulbs/ https://www.odorstop.com/os72pro-72-watt-uv-air-purifier-wit...

by Natsu 5y ago

laurent92 5y ago

I’ve bought the Coway AP-1512AH which filters air, and is extremely silent, and I have a separate CO2-PM10-PM2.5 measurer. It does wonders against asthma. PMs go from 25microgram/m3 to 1 in half an hour, which I trust because the measurement tool is separate. I never succeeded to have less than 10 before the Coway. Before that, I would sneeze first thing in the morning, then sneeze by rows of 10 times in Spring, 30 times a day, nose bleeding from too much sneezing. I would also have an irritated bronchitis which gave me slight asthma (but enough to make me abandon intensive sports). Now I still have risk of asthma, but at least when I want relief, I close the windows, switch on the Coway, and breathe fresh air. I live in a city center of average density. However, CO2 fills up quickly. I wish I could find some portable air exchanger: Taking air from outside, exchanging temperature, and filtering. I’ve lodged a bit for a house which has that, I’m hoping I’m selected.

josephst18 5y ago
I would love to find a portable air exchanger too—opening windows helps with CO2 levels but it’s inefficient for most of the year in much of the United States. Built-in air exchangers with heat recovery are available but are a non-starter for anyone in a rented place. Unfortunately, no good solution exists so far
- jeffbee 5y ago
  The good solution is to simply tax landlords to get decent ventilation installed.
- Natsu 5y ago
  Yeah, I live in a place where, well, let's just say that opening the window for much of the year simply isn't done. I don't think some of my windows will even can be opened any longer due to having been closed for so many years.
darkteflon 5y ago
Can I ask why you chose this brand and this model? I’m looking for an air filter but have no idea which brands to trust.
- beisner 5y ago
  Wirecutter recommends Coway
  - darkteflon 5y ago
    Thanks, [this](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-purifier/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-air-purifier...) was a great read from a trustworthy source. The AP-1512HH sounds like a great buy for most cases, although if you're particularly concerned about VOCs including exhaust fumes (we are - we live in a dense city, close to a main road), the Austin Air HealthMate HM400 is probably what you want. Used by "FEMA and the Red Cross ... for deployment at Ground Zero and the surrounding areas in the aftermath of 9/11", apparently.
  - TylerE 5y ago
    Careful with that... Wirecutter is known for recommending whoever gives them the biggest commission.
    - brianglick 5y ago
      Source?
      - TylerE 5y ago
        https://www.xdesk.com/wirecutter-standing-desk-review-pay-to-play-model#:~:text=The%20Wirecutter%20is%20actually%20a,in%20exchange%20for%20fake%20reviews https://www.xdesk.com/wirecutter-standing-desk-review-pay-to....
- laurent92 5y ago
  I chose it because someone mentioned it on HN, and said it was: - silent - HEPA - non-AI/IoT I was afraid it was a paid sponsored comment, but after comparing versions and prices, I tried it and was satisfied. It’s ugly though, looks straight out of the 60ies with its rounded corners.
Natsu 5y ago
I actually got one of those for the bedroom after reading someone mentioning it during another HN thread. It does seem to make the bedroom better, though I don't think it's quite enough for the whole house. I don't have any measuring devices to see the impact directly, though.

rolph 5y ago

there are a number of accesories available for your [lets call it HVAC] system UV is one electrostatic is another and a combination exists. quick DDG serch and here is a commercialized example that is basically imformative: https://aristair.com/blog/what-does-an-hvac-air-purifier-do/ https://aristair.com/blog/what-does-an-hvac-air-purifier-do/ UV will kill covid, ionic species such as ozone will kill covid, and electrostatic filtration will adsorb particles based on electrical charge rather than mechanical porousity, keep them in place and let the UV+ Ozone do its job.

pyk 5y ago

If you have forced air, you can get a UV bulb that all air passes by for $200-300 - just requires drilling some holes and an AC plug. Also helps with killing mold and bacteria as an added benefit (and some of the original intention for the devices, e.g., OdorStop).

nradov 5y ago
Are there any independent test results to show how effective those UV bulbs are at killing pathogens?
- redis_mlc 5y ago
  > Are there any independent test results to show how effective those UV bulbs are at killing pathogens? Why, did you thoroughly research it before sealioning? No, you didn't. Here's the first google result: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/uv-lights-and-lamps-ultraviolet-c-radiation-disinfection-and-coronavirus https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and... UV is a well-known disinfectant. When camping, you can put naturally-found water in a clear plastic bag for a couple of hours in the sun. In some parts of Asia, they installed UV lights in their transit garages and irradiated buses overnight during corona.
- schoen 5y ago
  I would particularly want guidance about * what UV frequencies to use * what intensity of light to use * what volume of air can flow past it per second I totally believe that UV light is great at killing pathogens and that UV belongs in ventilation systems, but we presumably need to know how much UV light is needed. The UV doses needed also seem to depend on a lot on the type of pathogen. For example, viruses require a higher dose than bacteria. In https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019665531500303X https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019665531... it required up to 6 times as much UV to inactivate viruses compared to bacteria.

jfkgktkrjt 5y ago

There are window particle filters (like insect nets): https://www.respilon.com/products/products/window-membranes/ https://www.respilon.com/products/products/window-membranes/

disabled 5y ago

The best place to get started on that is with Corbett Lunsford's books/videos/podcasts. His book, "Home Performance Diagnostics", is the ultimate resource [1]. He also has a YouTube channel [2] that has a ton of useful information on proper ventilation, humidification, and environmental safety, along with podcasts [3]. You can also check out his main site, Building Performance Workshop [4]. Alternatively, there are books on the subject of "building performance" that you may want to check out. [1] Home Performance Diagnostics Book: https://www.amazon.com/Home-Performance-Diagnostics-Advanced-Testing/dp/0615594751 https://www.amazon.com/Home-Performance-Diagnostics-Advanced... [2] Home Performance YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HomePerformance/videos https://www.youtube.com/c/HomePerformance/videos [3] the Building Performance Podcast: https://buildingperformancepodcast.com/ https://buildingperformancepodcast.com/ [4] Building Performance Workshop: https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/ https://buildingperformanceworkshop.com/

swader999 5y ago

I added this to my main furnace duct. Easier than the bidet upgrade. https://www.odorstop.com/os72pro-72-watt-uv-air-purifier-with-airflow-sensor-and-16-bulbs/ https://www.odorstop.com/os72pro-72-watt-uv-air-purifier-wit...