Whirlpool 8171434K (8171434), 4-Pack (Large), Air Purifier Active Carbon Pre-Filters, Fits Air Purifier Model AP51030K, AP45030K, APR45130L, WP500, 18x16.5 inch

I purchased the Whirlpool 8171434K Large Air Purifier Carbon Pre-Filters to replace those in two Whispure AP51030K units that I am running. I only purchase items directly from Amazon, so I cant speak to the other reviews complaining about 3rd party replacement filters being shipped instead of the OEM filters--the filters Amazon shipped to me are genuine Whirlpool filters. The pre-filters have small slits pre-cut towards the top of the filter, which makes it very easy to position the new filter exactly where it needs to be on the grill. Once placed onto the front grills guide tabs, all thats required is gently pushing the filter material into place and reattaching the grill to the air purifier. I have been very impressed by the amount of dust and pet hair that these pre-filters are able to capture within their 3 month lifespan. The primary purpose of these filters is to capture the larger dust particles, thereby extending the life of the more expensive HEPA filter (which gets changed once per year). Despite the relatively small amount of activated carbon in these pre-filters, I have been impressed by their ability to quickly neutralize light cooking and catbox odors. In my opinion, these filters are a great value and perform as expected.

Brief background: I am a physician living in a very polluted city, study the effects of industrial and traffic related air pollution since 1995, test different air purifiers, filters and air quality monitors, have PURCHASED most of my equipment from Amazon and publish some webpages about air pollution. I am very sensitive to air pollution and usually detect spikes several minutes before good sensors detect them. The carbon filters are thicker than original. They do the work as carbon pre-filter which means they get easily clogged so you must vacuum them quite often depending on use to fully protect the HEPA filter. I would say once a week but it depends on how dirty the filter is. The filters are ok. The problem is the air purifier design. TIP for the carbon filter: you can wash them and put them on the sun for 1 hour so you can reuse them. I have tried it just one time and worked. The sun light has UV light that ionize polulants removing them from the filter. I recommend washing the carbon filter first then put them on the sun.

Used before; easy to use

I have had a Whirlpool air purifier for years but was not serious about using it until I moved to a smaller home and my 3 cats made my bedroom their daytime hangout. My cat allergies have skyrocketed as a result and I’ve taken measures to reduce the dander in my bedroom (removing carpet and rugs, vacuuming weekly, washing linens in hot weekly, etc.). I started running my air purifier on low or medium 24/7. The attached photo is after only THREE MONTHS of use! These work. I’m not breathing that all in!

I am very satisfied with it the new filter.

2015 June - I purchased three of these in the winter of 2010-11. I was in company housing with radiant heat. I hung these on the air conditioner (it being seal off, outside, for winter) with the fan on to keep the dust under control and make the room smell... less. This worked in both ways for a long winter, and then for a less long winter in 2012. I was moved to improved housing with exhaust fans and forced air heating and cooling. Nicer! Maintenance was... sub-par. The filters on the air handler were not changed more than once a year. I changed them after 4 months at my own expense and hung two of these old filters on the outside of the intake vent grating with a big magnet. Generally (99.99% of the time) we ( 2 other guys and myself) dont turn the air handler fan off. Once a month or so, I drag these into the bath and clean with S1m493 G533n or similar, rinse and put back into service. This region is dusty! Not sandbox dusty, or even as dusty as eastern Oregon brown-outs can be. But, bad enough. The Whirlpool filters get loaded with tan dust, fast. The disposable filter within the system hardly gets touched - even after a year. Weekly vacuuming with a reasonable HEPA filtered vacuum-cleaner picks up the heavier grit and holds things down to a dull roar. That filter gets rinsed every use or it gets choked. Clearly, I got my moneys worth!

I use these in the orginal filter and cut pieces to fit the window units at work. This has saved our window units as we are in a very dusty location. Between the HEPA filter and this on the window units, no dust on my desk!

na

Pleased with replacement air filter. Fit my unit well

I have three indoor cats and have had three Whirlpool air cleaners placed throughout my home for several years now. These filters are easy to install and do a great job of catching dust as well as cat hair. As any cat owner knows, occasionally we find little puff balls of fur under a sofa or between furniture pieces. Since using these air cleaners those findings are less frequent. Since this is a review of the filters themselves, I’ll say they are slightly better than the generic filters I’ve tried in that it’s typically every 50-60 days between changing filters instead of every 30-40 days. These filters are a little more expensive, but because they are slightly denser I feel they capture more debris.