Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program
Product update 1/5/13 Sanyo has discontinued this air filtration system but Panasonic bought them and has a replacement filter for it that FrankieBoy was kind enough to post links to in the Comment section of this review. He has been kind enough to post a link on page 6 of the comments here. The filter is model #6161580870. Hopefully Amazon will begin to carry this soon because the price is pretty steep and Amazon always seems to do better. I've been vacuuming my filter with a good strong vacuum cleaner and that seems to work so far but a replacement will be needed in the future. I love the air cleaner and want to continue using it. A big Thank You to FrankieBoy, for researching and posting the link here!
The thing I like best about the Sanyo Air Washer Purification System (besides that it does a great job of purifying the air) is that it has a nice sleek look to it and doesn't detract from the room decor. It has a handle built into the top, making it easy to carry (15.9 lbs.) and it's pretty quiet as air purifiers go. It has a 4-stage HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles and allergens. The other thing I really like is that the filters can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner and are supposed to last for about 4 years. (You'd want to use a HEPA vacuum cleaner or you'd defeat the purpose.) I called customer service to ask about the price of replacement filters and they told me the suggested retail price is $69. That's pretty much in line with other filters I've researched. The customer service people were very helpful in answering questions about the unit which I count as a big plus.
I don't know if the electrolyzed water technology is just a gimmick or not, but the unit does a good job of cleaning the air and removing odors from any room that I place it in. There are several articles on the internet about electrolyzed water technology and electrolyzed water being used to sanitize water and possibly use it to kill bacteria in a number of applications including using it as a non-toxic way to clean fruits and vegetables in the food industry. It would make sense that it could be useful to kill bacteria and viruses in the air. With pets and all their dander, not to mention all the pollen and dust in the air this time of year, it gets a real workout around here. I hope that we find that we have fewer colds in the winter.
Just a few details that I didn't include in the video: I measured the watts that the unit takes at the low, medium and high speeds with a P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor device. At low speed it uses 4 8 watts (the higher number when it's emitting the electrolyzed water. You'll see that in the video.), on medium 13 17 watts, on high 57 63 watts, and if you use the "power" setting, 63 65 watts. This compares favorably with other air cleaners that I've used in the past or use now and it seems to work more quickly at removing odors.
BTW, another reviewer had mentioned that the "Device contains a chemical known to the state of Caifornia to cause cancer, birth defects, etc." Living in California I'm used to seeing these warnings on just about every piece of electrical equipment I buy due to the "Prop 65" laws here. Nonetheless, when I called Sanyo, I asked about this warning and what part of the unit had the chemical. As I expected it is the lead in the electrical cord connection, the same as my computer. When handling electrical cords it's always a good idea to wash your hands afterward.
I hope the video is useful. It's difficult to tell from a small photo what the unit looks like and I wanted you to have a better idea of how it worked and what it sounds like.
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I have been using this product for over 3 weeks. All members of my family have allergy. We live in Redmond, WA. This product works as advertised.
Pros:
* Removes odor out especially when we had Asian food in the room with this air purifier
* No more foul mold smell in the room (it moist and humid during winter)
* Operates quietly
Like to see improved in the product:
* Water tank is small and requires refill once a week (I run the air purifier on medium 8 hrs a day x 7 days a week)
So far it is a good buy.
*** (Updated on 18 May 2010) ***
* Still runs great 8 hrs x 7 days a wk
* We have placed this device in a 11x15 room...still is very effective
* Knock on wood...no Allergy and cold symptoms so far.
In Redmond, WA for April 2010 was Moderate and in May 2010 has been low
(Source: )
* Refilling the water tank once a week is now a routine!
*** (Updated on 19 Jun 2011) ***
* My family had allergy free year. Thanks to this product!
* Around end of May 2011, my son developed allergy symptoms. And, in next few days the filter light flagged on.
* Now searching for the best place to get the replacement filter (not easy to find one). I didn't get the life of the filter as stated in the product document (4 yrs). However, we have been running the product for at least 330 days x 8 hrs. Still a best buy.
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I was looking for a humidifier and air purifier. Check
I was looking for a compact yet does a good job. Check
I was looking for a quiet functioning unit. Check
I was looking for a low maintenance. Check
There is an odor sensor where you can set it to low, med, high. Its neat because it apparently can detect most bodily odors when your near by and I tried, it turned itself on to cleanse it. 5 stars!
The filter supposed to last 5 years in a normal environment. Filter can last longer since it can be vacuumed. Replacement part is maybe on the high side, but after 5 years who knows what will come out next.
I set mine to Auto, It has a 1, 2, 8 hour timer. I don't like timers so mine is constantly on.
The Fan Speed can be set to Auto, Low, Med, High. The Med and High makes noise, however I have it set on auto. When I plugged it, it starts off Med but after 30min or so it has been low ever since. Yay clean room.
The Humidifier tells you if you need to change the filter or add water. Neat! If required there is a Power Mist setting where it can blast continuous mist if your in dire of humidity. BTW the water is electrolyzed?!? so basically the mist is a clean mist!!! Good Job!
The size and the style is just great! It doesn"t feel cheap and it matches my living room.
So In my opinion I give it 5 stars! Yay!
I give it 5 stars, I have left the thing on for a month now, I have less dust and a clean neutral smell. I don"t like chemical cover up or that candle stuff so it works for me!
Honest reviews on Sanyo ABC-VW24 Air Washer Air Purification System with Electrolyzed
Product is a nice idea, BUT the replacement air filters are no longer available. So it is an expensive disposable. Talk about bait and switch!
Sanyo says that the product has been discontinued.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Sanyo ABC-VW24 Air Washer Air Purification System with Electrolyzed
it doesn't matter how well it works, the company, Sanyo, has discontinued making the replacement filtersso don't waste your money! You can never change the filter if you buy it!