HEPA filter for the house? (Covid)

[jimbobalot]

WIBU to assume that one of these in the bedroom / lounge wherever would be useful?

are they any good? Are they noisy? Do they need much maintenance??

We can’t afford it but I can’t afford to get Covid again even less… so it might be sensible?

I know it’s shutting the door after the horse has bolted, but looking at the numbers of people getting COVID multiple times, it might be useful.

it also reduces my fear of reinfection.. If you’re still suffering from Long Covid, then you’ll know what I mean.

Who are you afraid of catching it from in your front room? If you frequently have family visitors or children's friends over for a couple of hours for tea then I can see that it might perhaps be of use, but if you're worried about catching it from your own nursery/school-age children or spouse then I can't imagine that the tiny reduction in risk of catching it from someone you share a bed with or cuddle up with to read bedtime stories would be worth the expense.

The problem is if you are out in public you run the risk of catching covid so if you can't afford it is there any real point because unless you plan on not leaving your home there's always a risk.

@PortiaFimbriata & @hamdden12

I don’t have the energy to go out…

I spend all my time at home (no cash to go anywhere even if I had the energy as I am too ill to work) sorry I probably didn’t explain that well. So the biggest risk IS visitors and family.

I think people get HEPAs for allergy reasons normally? There are quite a lot on the market but I don’t know where to start or how effective they are and wondered if other MNers have invested.

If you regularly have visitors in your home then ventilating the rooms they're in is a simple and worthwhile way to reduce your transmission.

HEPA filter might perhaps reduce transmission further. This is a useful and accessible article.
www.which.co.uk/news/2022/03/coronavirus-can-an-air-purifier-protect-you-2/

Ooh thanks @PortiaFimbriata

I’m a bit tired of a freezing house when we have guests so definitely looking for a warmer option!

Does anyone have one??

Summer is coming OP (unless you're in Australia).

Shutting the windows because you've got an HEPA filter is unlikely to be a smart choice.

@PortiaFimbriata

That’s great but not always enjoyable for long periods with lorries / pollution. (At least where we live). I think there’s a case for some extra help where possible.

I have one I got because of a lung condition and allergies.
Since covid I put it on if we have visitors. Hard to tell if it does any good though.
It's not at all noisy and has washable filters.

I’m looking at ordering one of these Blueair filters. HEPA filters alone don’t catch viruses, but this one is HEPA plus carbon filter (which does catch viruses). It can completely clean the air in a room every twelve minutes. It’s low energy usage and quiet.
www.blueair.com/gb/blue/pure-411-auto/8318.html?cgid=blue#start=1

@boonducks Which brand do you have, pls? How often do you wash the filters?

@Discovereads

Looks interesting thank you

We have one in our bedroom because I have allergies and sinus issues. I currently have Covid for the second time!

Following

@jimbobalot there is quite a bit of information around about HEPA filters for covid.
the most important thing is to have one the right size for the size of your room. So if you have visitors in your living room, have one that works for that room.

There are actually some people who have given some guidance to create an HEPA filter at home for less money if you are tempted with some DIY.

Why using HEPA filter
Info who DIYing your own filter

I agree about opening windows too.
One way would be to have a CO2 meter. It will give you an idea of whether the air is getting ‘too stuffy’ aka not renewed enough.

CO2 meters A discussion for classrooms but it would work very well for a living room!!

@PortiaFimbriata as far as I understand, You dont have to shut your window if you use an HEPA filter.

You don't have to, but the OP specifically wants to.

We have air purifiers with heaps filters- we had them for bushfire smoke before Covid but then have kept using them since. They aren't noisy, and the air feels much cleaner when it's been running in a room. Not sure on the Covid side but figure it can't hurt.

*hepa