General Dust Control -- HEPA filter or other ideas?

[James Steele]

I've got an issue with dust in my studio...getting on the mixing board, etc. I once bought some HEPA filter by Honeywell and left it running and it seemed to do squat. I even thought maybe it was faulty. It did nothing. Does anyone have any recommendations on some sort of filtration system one can put in the room and keep dust out of the air. Something that actually works and won't break the bank? Thanks!

[brushcl]

I have one of those pure-ion air purifiers from brookstone, and it does keep the airborne particles down, but it's loud if you crank it to the higher settings. In researching these, what I found out is that the plate-type ionizers don't work well without a fan to bring the air in. Ozone generators will help keep particles out of the air too, but they generate ozone, which in high concentrations is not good for you. More sophisticated HEPA designs with large vents (with a separate unit to bring the air in, usually in another room) are expensive, but they work.These are the kinds found in hospitals or for "clean air" homes (people with asthma and whatnot).

You could try an ionizer like ones from brookstone and sharper image and just use it when you're not recording in there, then turn it off if you need it to be quiet. You'll have to clean the plates inside every 2 weeks to keep it doing its job.

The main question is, how much noise can you put up with, and what is your budget?

[brushcl]

I should add that there are sophisticated vacuum cleaners which have low dust output. I think you may need to keep a good vacuum nearby and use it with the upholstry attachments to keep the dust off. I myself use an old fashioned feather duster every week and vacuum everything every few days. I do think you would see less dust on your mixer with the addition of an air purifier, but there is no substitute for vacuuming. The problem with most vacuums, however, is that they put back into the air much of the dust they collect (try vacuuming with the late evening sun streaming in the windows and notice how much dust comes *out* of the vacuum!

The really good vacs are kind of expensive, though. Seems like all good air quality control costs $.

[wonder]

i can triple that emotion. I just moved my studio and cleaning this new room and seeing and breathing SOO Much dust was unbearable.

[wdegillio]

FWIW, the current issue of Consumer Reports has the results of a study of Room and Whole House (Professionaly Installed) air cleaners. Among the few they recommend is a Wirlpool model for about $250, which will probably be my next purchase. (P.S., they don't like the Shaper Image Ionic models!)

[James Steele]

Update... I ordered an iqAir HealthPro after much research.

Started a new thread about it:

http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17744

[BradLyons]

Well my ansewr is my cat that is a big pile of fluffy hair! She walks by, rubs against everything, wags her tail and wipes up the dust...... however, now I have a problem with cat hair!

[James Steele]

Well my ansewr is my cat that is a big pile of fluffy hair! She walks by, rubs against everything, wags her tail and wipes up the dust...... however, now I have a problem with cat hair!

LOL... I'm must have a cat with much less static cling. He's not picking up enough of the dust. Hmmm... he better step it up or I'm gonna start feeding him the cheap cat food.

[BradLyons]

In addition to "dusting", she can "play", too! Anyone need a drummer? Anyone? Anyone? LOL Well unfortunately when she plays, there is usually a scratching-hissy kind of sound!

[James Steele]

In addition to "dusting", she can "play", too! Anyone need a drummer? Anyone? Anyone? LOL Well unfortunately when she plays, there is usually a scratching-hissy kind of sound!

Jet doesn't play drums... just PURR-cussion! *groan* I know... I know...

[BradLyons]

hahahaha now THAT was funny! Well if you had a dog with a low bark, then would that make him a SUBWOOFER? What about a bird, would that be a TWEETER? Or a snake, would you need a de-ESSER? LOL Okay I've been on this project too long..... I'm losing it!!