Is this the answer?

[RenoB]

Still have the green light to smoke in my 10'X20' office in the basement - IF the odor can be contained. Have tried numerous solutions without success.

Then I got a quote on the Air King M-11 air cleaning system with the 18 lb. charcoal module. This thing moves 1100 cfm which should clean a room more than twice this size filled with smokers (or so says the sales guy).

Needless to say, it aint cheap. And if I buy it, it's mine - regardless of whether it keeps odor from escaping my office. So, I'm torn. Would hate to throw money away that could be spent on cigars but what good are the 'gars when it's single digits outside?

And I've got this great antique poker table

[drawfour]

Go for it!

[Dzrtrat]

I understand, that thing looks $$$, but to me if it doesn't do the job they say it will looks like a return would be in order. I'd like to know how well it works, so you be the guinea pig and let us all know.

[mhillsing23]

I don't know anything about 'em, but I too would be interested to find out. I agree with Dzrtrat, you be the guinea pig!

[dunng]

Are there any references that they can give you in the area or contacts that you could call and talk to?

[sirwood]

Originally Posted by dunng

Are there any references that they can give you in the area or contacts that you could call and talk to?

Good idea. I would definitely want some more info.

As is, I would not recommend it. You may be cleaning the air by trapping the contaminates, but not sure if you are removing the odor. The odor may just stay with the filter - I could envision this thing stinking over time !

I would recommend exhausting your smoke, then cleaning the remaining air when you are done with a 'ionic breeze' (ozone) type device.

If still interested in this type of filter, consider:
- seeing it in operation
- determining the life & cost of replacement filters
- getting some specs on how loud this unit is

Let's get smoking !

[kheffelf]

A lot of money but definitely worth it in the months to come.

[y3n0]

Well, if you want to go cheap, I understand that leaving a bowl of exposed vinegar overnight in a room can remove the odors. I have yet to try this, but other people seem to be pleased with results of this method.

That should be a cheaper alternative!

[kansashat]

That looks like a commercial "smoke-eater" type product. It will suck smoke out of the room like there's no tomorrow, but when it gets dirty, it will snap, crackle & pop. How difficult is it to clean the filters?

I'm guessing, but are you looking at $2-4k?

[RenoB]

Originally Posted by dunng

Are there any references that they can give you in the area or contacts that you could call and talk to?

This is basically a commercial unit. You see them in a lot of bars. He didn't have any residential referals.

Originally Posted by sirwood

As is, I would not recommend it. You may be cleaning the air by trapping the contaminates, but not sure if you are removing the odor. The odor may just stay with the filter - I could envision this thing stinking over time !

I would recommend exhausting your smoke, then cleaning the remaining air when you are done with a 'ionic breeze' (ozone) type device.

If still interested in this type of filter, consider:
- seeing it in operation
- determining the life & cost of replacement filters
- getting some specs on how loud this unit is

Let's get smoking !

Two reusable filters trap particulates to .3 microns, smoke is between .3-1 micron so it is expected to remove 95% of smoke. The 18 lb charcoal option is intended to remove the odor. Replacement costs of charcoal are nominal.

Problem with other solutions I've tried is that smoke & odor escapes the room. Tried creating negative pressure in the room by exhausting outdoors - first, it didn't circulate the air enough and second, if I upped the cfm exhaust I'm sucking heated air from the rest of the house and operating costs shoot thru the roof.

One possible setup of this unit is to exhaust it into the basement. This would create the necessary negative pressure to keep smoke in the room. If this thing cleans well enough, the exhaust shouldn't stink up the basement.

[RenoB]

Originally Posted by kansashat

That looks like a commercial "smoke-eater" type product. It will suck smoke out of the room like there's no tomorrow, but when it gets dirty, it will snap, crackle & pop. How difficult is it to clean the filters?

I'm guessing, but are you looking at $2-4k?

Indeed it is. But it's just a fan pulling air thru passive filtration, no active deionization. Was quoted under $1,400.

[sirwood]

Originally Posted by RenoB

Two reusable filters trap particulates to .3 microns, smoke is between .3-1 micron so it is expected to remove 95% of smoke. The 18 lb charcoal option is intended to remove the odor. Replacement costs of charcoal are nominal.

These are good specs. While the charcoal can remove odors (VOCs), I think the odor will still exist on the filter, and you may start to fight against yourself - filtering the filter odor! My understanding - cigar odor can include 'condesable particulate' (e.g., oils) that can be filtered and/or adsorbed by carbon, but due in part to the particulate size, will continue to volatilize & smell.

Originally Posted by RenoB

Problem with other solutions I've tried is that smoke & odor escapes the room. Tried creating negative pressure in the room by exhausting outdoors - first, it didn't circulate the air enough and second, if I upped the cfm exhaust I'm sucking heated air from the rest of the house and operating costs shoot thru the roof.

Sounds like you have the potential to exhaust outside! I really think this is the way to go. Yes, you will exhaust heated air$$, but you can smoke inside! Negative pressure will keep your smoke contained to the room. Be sure you have some make-up air (e.g., gap under door, engineered vent) or you will significantly reduce your exhaust air flow.

What size fan did you use? At 10x20x8' (1600 ft3) and ~6x room changes/hr, you should be somewhere around 160 cfm. You will have some smoke in the room while you are smoking. I run my exhaust fan while smoking, and then ~20min afterwards, then I start my WalMart fake ionic breeze until next time.

Originally Posted by RenoB

One possible setup of this unit is to exhaust it into the basement. This would create the necessary negative pressure to keep smoke in the room. If this thing cleans well enough, the exhaust shouldn't stink up the basement.

I would not recommend this. I would expect the exhaust from the fan would still smell. I recall reading once that cigarette smoke had a fairly small odor threshold, meaning most people can smell it with very little in the air. Just ask my wife.....

Let's get going - winter is coming & we must herf!

[RenoB]

Originally Posted by sirwood

Sounds like you have the potential to exhaust outside! I really think this is the way to go. Yes, you will exhaust heated air$$, but you can smoke inside! Negative pressure will keep your smoke contained to the room. Be sure you have some make-up air (e.g., gap under door, engineered vent) or you will significantly reduce your exhaust air flow.

What size fan did you use? At 10x20x8' (1600 ft3) and ~6x room changes/hr, you should be somewhere around 160 cfm. You will have some smoke in the room while you are smoking. I run my exhaust fan while smoking, and then ~20min afterwards, then I start my WalMart fake ionic breeze until next time.

Let's get going - winter is coming & we must herf!

Yeah, one of those half windows. I put an 80 cfm in-line thru a 3" dryer cutout. If I upped this to 160cfm as you suggest, how big an opening do I need? And, should I bring any makeup air in, perhaps on the opposite side of the room? Have thought about running dryer hose from another window.

Originally Posted by sirwood

Let's get going - winter is coming & we must herf!

I hear ya, loud & clear Whatever I do is gonna get done in short order!

[Demented]

Whats the return policy and warranty?

Why not speak with some of the commercial outfits using these units about function, ease-frequency and cost of maintenance.

If it simply a matter of changing the carbon when it become saturated, the price of the unit and upkeep is within your means and it allows you to enjoy your cigars with causing discomfort to others it sounds like a good way to go.

If the output does not reek to badly, venting to the basement sounds like a better option then blowing heated air outdoors.

Be well,

Demented

[c2000]

I have done some research on this subject and I think this is the way to go..Not only will you get rid of the odor but you will get rid of the smoke so as not to yellow the walls. If I would have know that the price was only 1400 I would have popped for one instead of my Ozonator which gets rid of the smell and you have to have a true hepa air cleaner to get rid of the smoke..
Good luck with this unit and please give us an update when you use it..

Jerry in Minnesota.