Honeywell 17000 Air Cleaner

One user complained that filters had tobe replaced after use in a room with fumes like glue, paint thinner, paint, and nail polish remover.

Here is the biggest mistake air purifier buyers make: thinking a little air cleaner can clean up this type toxic environment.

Please, at minimum, take these toxic chemicals to the garage!

Quietcare is NOT Quiet

Honeywell declines to publish noise specifications.

Marketing hype is offered instead, preventing consumers from making informed decisions.

Without actual decibel level tests, we are left with subjective interpretations of sound.

The inexpensive Honeywell air purifiers are not among the quietest. Users uniformly rate them as loud.

I have four 14 inch round air cleaners by Honeywell; including two 12520s and a 50250. These have seen intermittent operation for years.

I like these dust gobblers; low priced, well sealed HEPAs.

But they are way too loud for bedroom use and I would never think of them as a defense against chemicals.

Measuring 15.8 x 13.1 x 17.1 inches and weighing 13.4 pounds, the rounded 17000 is among the most portable of air cleaners.

Yet many complain of its bulk and obtrusiveness.

Pretty, it ain't.

Air Purifier Warranty

A 5 year limited warranty applies to repairor replacement of products defective in material or workmanship.Consumer pays shipping, including $13.00 for return from Memphis, TN.

This is a very long warranty for this price range.

Some user reviews report slow communications from the company on warranty issues.

Excerpts from Consumer Reviews

"...there's nothing quiet about this thing but man o man i works wonders for my allergies!"

"There is no pre-filter in the box...manufacturer has not responded to phone calls and emails."

"...my real concern is the noise level...."

"...QuietCare... It's not all that quiet..."

"This isn't some cheap air filter with a weak fan. You could dry your hair to this thing."

"With a smoker and a cat...This air cleaner does its job!"

"...very disappointed. It is loud, bulky and does not do a good job filtering the air."

"I've had this product for about 3 years and am very pleased."

"It gives off a strange chemical odor..."

"I bought the Honeywell 17000 and after trying it sent it straight back. It is really noisy..."

"I like this unit...had mine for 3 years..."

"It worked well . . . for a year, then it died. I contacted customer care twice via their Web site and got no reply."

"Too loud, too big, doesn't reduce pet odor..."

"After using it for about a month I discovered that it would no longer turn off. The only way to stop it was to unplug the unit."

"Noisier than a small plane..."

"...using this air cleaner for well over a year now without any problems"

I have read thousands of consumer air purifier reviews, what stands out to me is how few received a Honeywell air cleaner that did not work.

This is unusual in this bottom price range, where a certain percentage of shipped units will often fail within a few days.

Many users reported allergy relief.

This strikes me as good value in a bottom end air cleaner.

Air-Purifier-Power Rating

Each of ten factors gets up to 10 points, 100 is perfect and very unlikely.

1. First do no harm; minimal out gassing, no ozone.

Score: 7 of 10, some users report break in smells.

2. Serious gas and odor removal is a requirement if health benefits are expected: Units with real carbon VOC capability rank higher.

Score: 5 of 10, carbon prefilter is for dust and very light odors only.

3. Quality construction; case, gaskets, seals, and precision fitting eliminate bypassing and assure high efficiency at filtering sub-micron particles.

Score: 10 of 10, tightest construction in price range.

4. The design maximizes the lifespan of each filter stage by allowing independent filter replacement. Ideally this is combined with electronic filter monitoring.

Score: 9 of 10, filter monitor is a timer.

5. Air cleaning unit has long filter life, low maintenance requirements, and reasonable operating costs.

Score: 10 of 10, "lifetime" filter hype aside, Honeywell 17000 has low filter costs.

6. Purifier produces low noise levels and meaningful air flow rates relative to noise.

Score: 6 of 10, a bit loud for bedtime use, turn the TV up or air cleaner down.

7. Manufacturer has a track record, with many units in the field and a reputation for supporting what they sell. Warranty period and average service life are long.

Score: 7 of 10, 5-year warranty but complaints about response.

8. Purifier is a value in terms of price/performance ratio. Every price range should be included, “models above $1,200 are best”, while true, is not useful to most consumers.

Score: 10 of 10, worth the money, but don't over install or expect chemical or smoke miracles.

9. No dirt; unit and manufacturer should be devoid of class-action suits, high returns, recalls, consumer complaints, and legitimate negative consumer reviews.

Score: 8 of 10, manufacturer makes full line of clean air products.

10. Air cleaner is stylish, portable, comfortable, and convenient for consumer use.

Score: 7 of 10, remote available on 17005 model, easy push button interface.

Air-Purifier-Power Numeric Rating; 79 , low priced HEPA.