Friedrich C-90B Electronic Air Purifier
by Friedrich
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Our Price: $398.00 Availability: Usually ships in 6-10 business days Buy Used: from $350.00 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Friedrich C-90B Electronic Air Purifier
Customer Review: Cleans great but poor quality control; the truth about "snapping"
Summary: 2 Stars
We've bought 4 of these for use throughout our home ahd have had to return half of them (50%) due to quality control problems and "snapping". This is ridiculous for a product of this high rating and price. We've been seemingly through the trenches with these, dealt with dealers AND the factory and here's the result of our research.
Now, here's the deal re "snapping". There is appropriate snapping and inappropriate snapping/rubbing noises. Like bug zappers, large dust and dirt particules drawn into the cleaner are ionized and charged, sticking to the metal filter elements and may create a sharp electrical, bug-zapper type snapping noise. We've noticed that and can discern it. This is good and we have no problem with it.
The other snapping noise we've had is the fan blades hitting the inner plastic appliance/fan housing, especially when run on high. This is NOT good and we've had repeated problems. Our current crop of 90-B we can run the one in the basement on High and its quiet. The living room one we can only run on Med; on High in a short time we hear this rubbing/snapping-type noise. Both sit on level hard floors.
I let one of these run a while snapping/rubbing and upon examination of the inner plastic fan housing (you can look when you clean the filters) noticed black skuff marks where the fan blades (black plastic...that can flex on higher rpms?) rubbed the bottom of the housing. Taking coarse sandpaper I rubbed the scuff area repeatedly, over time eventually removing enough excess plastic, and the fan stopped the rubbing/snapping.
I called another high volume allergy product retailer in the area and asked if they had any problems, the clerk responded "You mean like parts rubbing? Uh...no. Never! Never had any problems". Well, the disingenuous answer and tone told me this was something they had heard before. I described the problems and types of noises to the Factory and they suspected the fan may have gotten misalligned, hence rubbing, in shipping to the distributor...told me to return it immediately. My retailer in Delaware had a good return policy, I kept all papers and documentation and conversations and actions on our part, worked with us and we were eventually able to weed through poorly performing units and do Frederich's QC research for them.
In summary, an incredible air cleaner when it works like its supposed to that I'd love to rate high but recommend to purchase only after reviewing your vendor's return policy (definately NOT mail order!!!) ...and don't modify the unit like we did to fix the problem as it will likely void any warranty. BTW, we've also not noticed any odor problems or anything else.
Customer Review: Outstanding Air Cleaner -- and No Expensive Filters to Replace!
Summary: 5 Stars
For years I was interested in purchasing a high-end air cleaner for my apartment, but hesitated due to the prospect of regularly spending mega-$$$ on expensive HEPA filters. And while the principle of electrostatic cleaners seemed great -- simply clean the collector regularly -- the negative reviews (stating that models like Sharper Image's "Ionic Breeze" are essentially ineffective) kept me from buying.
After reading the reviews in Consumer Reports -- where this Friedrich was top-rated -- I decided to buy one. And I am VERY happy with my purchase! It provides outstanding cleaning of dust/pollen/etc., and there are no expensive filters to replace.
The only filter you might need to replace -- and this is optional -- is the Carbon filter. Said filter helps remove odors from the air, but if your primary concern is air cleaning, you can forget about replacing it. (I have had my air cleaner for six months, and do not see a need to replace the Carbon filter.)
CLEANING TIP: The main filter mechanism -- a removable electrostatic "cell" that looks like a small radiator -- can be cleaned in a dishwasher. (Indeed, the user guide recommends dishwasher cleaning.) In any case, if the cell does not fit in the top rack of your dishwasher, flip the top rack upside down. This should provide ample clearance for the cell, and as an added bonus, the bottom of the rack should be free of protrusions that could potentially damage the cell.
Bottom line, this air cleaner is an outstanding investment. It provides one of the most economical solutions, while also being one of the most effective. What more could one ask for?
Customer Review: Don't buy this unless you feel like taking out a mortgage on filter replacements
Summary: 2 Stars
This item works well if it is in the direct air flow of the house. Aside from that, if you want to pay about $70 every few months to replace filters, then get it . . . when I purchased this originally the replacement filters were cheaper (at least that's how I remember it). Look them up now . . . just type "friedrich filter" into the search and look at the carbon filter and the prefilter if you don't believe me.
I have a whirlpool (I think) that cost me like $200 and it works just as good . The filters are significantly cheaper too.
I wouldn't purchase this again . . . I wish I didn't in the first place. 3 times replacing the filters and I could buy a whole new unit of a different brand.
Customer Review: Great air cleaner, don't worry about the OZONE
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great air cleaner and has beaten all other room air cleaners in many tests. I'm amazed at all the crud I clean off the collector plates every week. I can smell a slight ozone odor sometimes but it's hardly noticeable. I was leery about getting an air cleaner that uses an Electrostatic Precipitator because of the ozone concerns. After much research I found that ozone can be a big concern with many Electrostatic precipitators like the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze, Oreck and many others but not with the Friedrich C-90B. The FDA has set a safe ozone limit at 5 ppb and the C-90B was tested at 1.4 ppb by their own tests and 4 ppb by Consumer Reports. Sharper Image Ionic Breeze tests at 18 ppb by Consumer Reports and others tested as high as 28 ppb. The C-90B is one of the few Electrostatic precipitators to pass Underwriters Laboratories ozone test, so I'm not worried. Customer Review: awesome appliance - easy, inexpensive maintenance
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this appliance after reviewing many options that were well recommended and less expensive. But, I figured out that because there is no expensive filter to replace (just a very reasonable one that seldom needs replacing in my house) it works out to be alot less expensive in the long run.
It's done a great job. My allergy symptoms are greatly reduced and so, therefore, is the amount of medication I have to take for them....