Cooking Odors and Air Cleaners

[DigitalDawn]

Hi,

We live in South Florida. Our house is 12 years old and our AC system wasn't designed correctly.

The biggest problem is that the AC return for the downstairs is located right next to the kitchen. As you might expect, cooking odors permeate the entire house (sometimes for days) because of this design flaw. Unfortunately, because the ducts for the return are between floors, we cannot re-locate the return for the main AC system without removing a large part of the ceiling.

So we are looking for a whole-house air purification system. I'm specifically interested in a system that uses activated carbon granules.

Can anyone here make some suggestions for air purifiers that would help?

Thanks in advance.

[pmeunier]

When I wear a mask with a high efficiency filter outside, I can't smell anything -- no flower smells or anything else. Except for gases, no carbon necessary. Carbon is well marketed to absorb odors, but actually a lot of odors are carried by particles. Catch the particles, catch the odors they carry. It's fascinating how effective it is. I also found particle counts increasing along with cooking odors.

[acwizard]

Take some pictures, the return is going to need to be relocated to solve your problem. Electronic air cleaners will help and should be installed in duct system near furnace or airhandler. Honeywell make a return air grille version,which may work for you.

[DigitalDawn]

Take some pictures, the return is going to need to be relocated to solve your problem. Electronic air cleaners will help and should be installed in duct system near furnace or airhandler. Honeywell make a return air grille version,which may work for you.

Can you please tell me more about the Honeywell return air grille? Model number too.

Thanks!

[amd]

Use the stove range hood when cooking - that should solve the problem if it's vented outside.

[pmeunier]

Use the stove range hood when cooking - that should solve the problem if it's vented outside.

Got to agree with that -- venting outside close to the source is effective.

[acwizard]

Honeywell F52 is a ceiling return electronic air cleaner. I do agree with the others that you are better off trying to eliminate the source by exhausting .

[teddy bear]

Hi,

We live in South Florida. Our house is 12 years old and our AC system wasn't designed correctly.

The biggest problem is that the AC return for the downstairs is located right next to the kitchen. As you might expect, cooking odors permeate the entire house (sometimes for days) because of this design flaw. Unfortunately, because the ducts for the return are between floors, we cannot re-locate the return for the main AC system without removing a large part of the ceiling.

So we are looking for a whole-house air purification system. I'm specifically interested in a system that uses activated carbon granules.

Can anyone here make some suggestions for air purifiers that would help?

Thanks in advance.

You are forgetting the most important part of Indoor Air Quality, fresh air change. When a home is occupied, you should have an air change in 4-5 hours according to ASHRAE,Am Med ASSn etc. Adequate filter remove particulate, merv 11.
Keep the home <50%RH , the rest will take care of itself.
I use a Ultra-Aire whole house ventilating dehumidifier on my home in FL with great results. You can add Active charcoal but fresh air and <50%RH keeps the home healthy, comfortable, and odor free.
Regards TB

[amd]

^Damn it, every solution you propose involves installing a ventilating dehumidifier.

[teddy bear]

^Damn it, every solution you propose involves installing a ventilating dehumidifier.

I amend my recommendation. No ventilating dehumidifier if the home is getting the recommended air changes suggest by ASHRAE, which is an air change in 5-6 hours.

Lets do it your way.
Let put in an expensive air filter instead with a blue light!
Regards TB

[amd]

^My solution is to ventilate at the source.

[teddy bear]

^My solution is to ventilate at the source.

I can live with that in moderate green grass climates. Keeping the cool corners dry-<50%RH, makes the space comfortable and healthy.

Better for climates where the summer dew point is lower than the inside temp to pressurize the space with some kind of filtered fan device with a drying attachment.
Regards TB