Jeffy3 wrote:

Had an estimate from SEARS for a new gas furnace / central air the
other night. Sales guy recommended a humidifier system and an

How handy are you? $600 for a humidifier sounds a little high. I
like my Aprilaire 600A for $200 and a few hours to install.
http://www.filterace.com/detail.aspx?ID=737

electro-
something filter system that allegedly removes all kinds of pollens
and microbes that a normal replaceable cardboard filter will not .

I'm not familiar with the electronic ones- but Boair 5-stage seems to
be what all the allergy forums were raving about. $75 for a slide in
filter- I got two so I can clean one and have it drying for a couple
weeks before swapping them again;
http://www.riteair.com/p-13-boair-5-stage.aspx

Each was around $600. Are these ad-ons gimmicks?

Neither is IMO. I've had hot air heat in the great northeast for 60
years or so. I've used a Boair type filter for the past 15 yrs &
think they trap *way* more than the regular throwaways.

The humidifier was an addition I put in last year-- Wow! what a
difference.

Jim