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Re: Winix 5300 carbon filter question

A Reader writes:

Hi Ed,

I stumbled upon your website, after searching for "best" air purifiers through Google (many hours later).

You have provided me with a wealth of knowledge which I was unaware existed.

For example, CADR ratings importance in relation to type of purifier, what are CADR ratings, how are they "assigned", and much much more. I did read your do it yourself page in regards to carbon filters, and may be something worthwhile for me to try with my Winix 5300.

I recently purchased the Winix 5300 Plasmawave, and after 1 week there has been a noticeable difference of the air quality inside my living room area and have considered purchasing a 2nd for another area in our home.

Our house was built in the "open room" concept.

On the 2nd floor, we eat, cook, watch TV (when we have time), and also have two home offices -my husband and myself. This floor is approximately 11-12,000 cubic feet or approximately 1,300 sq ft.

My thought is to put the 2nd Winix at the other end of the room.

Would it make sense to put 2 carbon filters inside the unit together, instead of one? I have not noticed any smell emitted from the carbon filter, as I read others have.

I also have a small Honeywell Hepaclean Air purifier in my office (approx 150-200 sq ft), model HHT-011 series, although not sure it will be a keeper, unsure of the quality.

It is on the loud side, even on low, is it noisier then the Winix set on Turbo.

Your thoughts on adding the additional carbon filter to the Winix 5300 unit?

Or, would the DIYS filter be a wiser choice?

Is there be a more suitable purifier that you would suggest for our 2nd purchase?

I too am concerned about air quality for both my husband and myself, and any visitors that come to our home.

Thank you in advance for your help. Love your webpage, have it bookmarked!

A Reader.

Ed's Reply

Hey Reader;

First, Honeywell HHT-110, with its "permanent HEPA-Type filter," is a dust catcher, not really an air purifier.

Since you are ready to experiment with extra filters for the Winix, why not modify the Honeywell's filter train as well? I remove the HEPA-wannabe filter, substituting several layers of polyurethane AC filter foam, as detailed in several email replies, see; my page

"The Prefilter Experiments"

under the heading "Holmes HAP-242 as a Dust Prefilter."

Eventually the modified tabletop air cleaner will accumulate a coating of fine particle dust and need to be cleaned.

This would happen with the HEPA-type filter anyway, but will occur sooner with foam only.

I use a garden hose to wash out the entire unit. Of 5 I have used this way, one has expired after a wash. But this is a semi-disposable product anyway.

Winix 5300, which is a stripped-down version of the 5000 series targeted at a big-box retail price target, is perfect for air cleaner modders.

The filter bay is virtually empty, with no cassette tray, no carbon filter, and no permanent fiberglass prefilter screen. In addition, the 5300 is a strong blower, able to push a thicker filter train.

So why not use the one of the extra "carbon" prefilters shipped with the unit, or a $2 piece of polyurethane AC filter foam, along with the standard prefilter.

That same powerful blower makes the Winix a good choice for a larger room. Your large room is a challenge for any single air cleaner, another Winix would be an economical solution.

I had some odor issues with the factory supplied prefilters on my 5300, switched those for mods as described, and have used my Plasmawave daily in my office for 3 years.The only issue was a HEPA filter that developed an odor and had to be replaced after maybe 20 months operation.

For the price, it's hard to beat the 5300 - I think Winix has moved to the "5500" recently.

Best wishes,

Ed

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