Trying out a Dyson air purifier

smipsy

I've been looking out for some kind of an air purifier solution for some time, and recently I found about the egregiously expensive Dyson variant ( https://www.dyson.co.uk/air-treatment/purifiers/dyson-purifier-hot-cool-formaldehyde/dyson-purifier-hot-cool-formaldehyde-white-gold ).

Now, it claims quite a lot of things, one of them being that it can capture formaldehyde. But it's 600 quid! Now, for that price, I would want the machine to provide me with some fantastic result, but I don't know from what retail to get it where I could safely return it if I'm unhappy about it? Most places like Currys, Argos, etc, would only let me return it if it's unused, which would be pointless. Ordering directly from Dyson would be an option, but their return policy does not actually specify whether I can use it, be unhappy about it, and the return it, or if you can only return if it's not been used.

If the machine is truly brilliant, I would not mind paying £600, it is a health investment after all, but I want to be able to return if it's just snake oil. Does anyone know what retailer, if any, would allow me to do that?

Thanks everybody!

Grumpy_chap

How much formaldehyde do you have in the air in the house?  How do you measure this? How would you validate the reduction?

Toothsmith

What is the problem you are requiring a 'solution' for? 

What would make you feel it was 'truly brilliant'?

smipsy

Well, the purifier alleges to have a precise monitoring system which would indicate the quantity of noxious substances present, and how much of them will be taken away by the machine.

I do have issues with breathing/sleeping, especially at night, which aren't fully resolved by opening up windows, so if the purifier can sort me out some good sleep/breathing, then that is quantifiable enough for me to consider it "truly brilliant".

brook2jack2

if you if you have troubles with breathing and sleeping at night being assessed by your gp for sleep apnoea would be a better start, than investing in an "air purifying" machine. 

Toothsmith

I'd agree with Brook that sleep apnoea is worth getting checked out - but do you have any reason to believe your air quality is poor? I suspect you don't feel your outside air is poor if you've tried 'opening your windows' 

Do you know anyone who has an air quality monitor? They are cheaper than £600, and you might even know someone who has one if you ask around, and you could just use it in your home to either see if there may be a problem, or put your mind at rest. 

The most likely things you could be reacting to are air fresheners, or cleaning products. By eliminating these or changing to low allergy alternatives one at a time, you may well stumble upon the culprit. It might be dust - in which case, a bit more cleaning! 

I think there are easier ways to get to the bottom of your problem than buying an expensive fan. 

Spoonie_Turtle

Unless you are in a house built with dodgy materials, with lots of mould, carbon monoxide, surrounded by old furnishings made with dodgy materials, use or mix lots of noxious cleaning products, or in a highly polluted area (unlikely if you're happy to open the windows) then it's probably not your inside air.  And even if it were any of the above, you would be struggling the rest of the time and not just at night.

Air purifying machines may well do good in some other countries with terrible safety standards, but probably not so much here unless you are stuck in an obviously problematic house and can't do anything else about it.

As to your question about retailers, QVC give a no-quibble return&refund guarantee on just about everything.  I don't know if they sell the machine or not but they are the only retailer I know of that offers returns on used items.

smipsy

I did in fact go to my GP. Well, had a phone call with him. Not sure why the automatic assumption is that I've never done it. The issue is that I've not seen my GP face to face for nearly two years now, as he only does telephone appointments these days. In addition, he did refer me to my local NHS Trust, but I've been advised that it's a minimum 6 month wait...

And on that note, it was actually my GP who suggested that indoor air quality might be an issue, based on what he asked me, and suggested looking for an air purifier, ergo here I am, asking for exactly the same.

And I value my sleep and health enough that I do not want to wait 6 months (minimum) before possibly getting a solution. In the meantime I wanted to see if an air purifier has any effect.

Jude57

As mentioned, QVC sell a selection of Dyson products and although their prices aren't the lowest, they often have easy pay instalment offers. They also collect heavy items for return if unsatisfactory and in any event, offer a 60 day return window which should give you time to try and see if it helps. Worst case scenario, you have to pay return postage.

MalMonroe

Dyson's webpage does say that you have 35 days - if you don't want the machine then you can return it to them, free of charge. If you buy direct from Dyson it's also free delivery. It doesn't say whether or not you can try it out for that period though, just that you can return if you change your mind. 

They do give an email address, you could always send them a message to ask if you could try out a purifier for 35 days? After all, if you want to keep it they'll be delighted. But if not, at least you will have had the opportunity to try it. Nothing to lose by just asking them.

Email addy :     askdyson@dyson.co.uk

[P.S. You've made me want one now!  ]

goldfinches

You may have already considered the things I'm about to suggest in which case I apologise, however I did think that it might be worth your investigating your pillow, bedding and mattress first before spending a lot of money. 
This page of advice on improving your indoor air quality might be just the ticket for you Allergies in the Home | Symptoms & Treatment | Allergy UK
and this page has some advice that seems useful to me
How often to wash sheets and other bedding (goodhousekeeping.com)