Hepa filter useage

[finchandlovebird]

I read on one of the posts that a air filter is a good thing in the bird room because they have a lot of dander, etc.

Today at a thrift store I bought a Honeywell Model 12525 250i for only $8.50. It looks like new and from the filter also, like it was never used.

I wondered if I should have it running all the time, or put on a timer and run just during the day or night?

Also, it can sit on the floor, but should it be up on a small table for better cirulation?

Any other tips on using this filter would be appreciated. Anyone have a Honeywell like mine?

Thanks.

[bugaboo5]

I don't have the Honeywell, but I have six air filters (currently running only five).

I have a lot more birds than you, so that will affect the dander/dust produced, but I deal with quite a bit of dander from my birds. I'm not sure about the Honeywell model, but if it works decently, you will be SHOCKED to see how much dust accumulates within two weeks. It's pretty amazing that we breathe in this stuff.

If you can afford the energy costs, I would have it running 24/7. I run five of mine all day, all night, 24/7. It's not too loud, but you can definitely hear the filters working, but my birds have gotten used to the sound. I think the filter should be fine on the floor or on a small table -- wherever you see fit.

I can't imagine how my life was before the air filters. There's still a lot of dust that isn't caught by the air filters and I still find myself dusting places, but when I see the incredible amounts of dust collected by the filters, I'm pretty amazed and grateful for these helpful gadgets. Good luck!

[Nerien]

I used to have that one, it's made to be on the floor, air circulates fine, works well. Keeping it on the floor will also minimize the breeze in the room vs putting it up on a table.

[ac12]

Good find on the filter.

Run it 24 hours a day. Start it on low, and gradually raise the speed over a few weeks. They will get used to the noise.

I set mine so it does not put a draft on the cages.
Mine is sitting on a box about a foot off the floor, just so I won't kick it.

Plan on cleaning the pre-filter about every month. You may have to clean more often if you have a lot of birds. Mine gets coated with a layer of gray dust (their dander). I also vacum and dust the filter case to clean off the dust.

Check the instructions for your filter. Some HEPA filters can be washed, others have to be replaced. The large round HEPA filters for the big filters are expensive. I need to replace mine, and I think it will cost about $60. Cleaning the pre-filter often extends the life of the expensive HEPA filter element.

[finchandlovebird]

Thanks for the info guys. Gary; thanks for the tip on cleaning the pre-filter monthly.
Today I bought another Honeywell Model 16200 (called a "desk top") and I put that in my kitchen on the counter. Love it; $4.99 @ Goodwill; new they cost $40. Like the big one I bought; I think this was also new as the filter was clean as a whistle

[ac12]

Don't you just love a good deal.
I should go check out the thrift shops and see if I can find any treasures.

[ranchnanny]

Question on Air Cleaners..... Aren't some bad for caged birds? I am not sure which ones are so can anyone explain the difference.

Thanks

[bugaboo5]

ranchnanny: the only ones that are bad for the birds are the ones that release artificial freshner. I believe they are called scented cartridges or fragranced filters. If you use plain ole filters and no artificial scents, your birds will be fine and your lungs will thank you for it. Just incredible amounts of dander.

[ac12]

Yes my wife was really surprised as the amount of gray dust/dander on the prefilter. YUK !!! What isn't caught by the filter settles elsewhere in the room.

She told me "CLEAN IT MORE OFTEN !!!"

[bugaboo5]

I try to clean mine out every week. Sometimes, when I'm really busy, I do it once a month. I prefer to do it more often because at the two week point, it gets pretty disgusting, I'm not going to lie. I have hook bills as well, and they create even more dander than finches, so I get the double whammy. Even with five filters running, I still get dust all throughout the room. My dream is to have a separate bird house, where I don't need to worry about the dust/dander getting all over the place (and into my lungs).

[ranchnanny]

Any one brand better then the others????

[ac12]

If you buy new, I would look for one with a WASHABLE HEPA filter. The HEPA filter element for the big filters are expensive, and if you replace on schedule, it will start to add up $$$ over the years. Which is why I have been putting off replacing the HEPA element in mine.