Customer Reviews

Air-O-Swiss 7017 Ionic Silver Stick (24776)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have an Air-o-Swiss humidifier that came with one of these, but I don't think I'll replace it because it's ridiculously expensive.

Both silver and copper have antimicrobial properties, so I know it does some good, but I think I'll try to clean it or replace it with maybe a dozen clean pennies before I shell out $30.

This Ionic Silver Stick Microbial Inhibitor was extremely simple to replace in my Air-O-Swiss humidifier. Just take out the old one, and pop the new one in. Couldn't be easier!

These humidifiers are the best, and the cost of replacing this stick once a year and the cartridges every 3 months are well worth the completely hassle-free and quiet day-to-day use (with no buildup).

$30 for a few strands of silver? Who knows if it even does anything? After paying $150 - $200 for the humidifier they suck another $30 from you every 6 months! Why not just stick an old piece of silver jewelry in the tank (but be sure to clean it every 6 months)?

I replace this once a year as I only use the humidifier during the winter in my kids rooms (I have one in each room). Since its my kids I care about safety and if the manufacture says to use this and replace it I do.

That being said, do you REALLY need one ?? No, but I feel safer. This is why I gave it 4 not 5 stars. I my be snake oil as far as I know, but I will replace it anyway.

Isn't Activated Charcoal anti bacterial as well? Does any body having experience with using Activated Charcoal and if so how would one use it? No need to waste money on something which can be archived in a much more simple fashion.

everyone saying they will use actual silver or copper or something other than this ionic stick in their water, DO NOT do this! firstly, it probably won't work for but a short period of time as the silver ions on the surface would not replenish itself like this stick does. secondly, i'm not sure if this would maintain "safe" levels of silver in the water.

which brings me to the question...does anybody know if this method is even safe? i've been trying to research on this, and it seems that 99% of what i can find are silver marketers rejecting and trying to disprove the FDA's 1999 ruling to prohibit the claiming of beneficial health effects of silver. the only other common application of silver in water or anti-microbial effects are in hospitals--but this is largely for temporary use. since I couldn't find any legitimate sources of information on this application os ionic silver, i'm guessing its effects on the human body is relatively unknown. it is know that long-term exposure/intake to a similar silver application, silver colloid, can cause argyria. i believe this is why air-o-swiss states that only "safe" levels of silver is contained in the water. however, since there's seemingly not much research out there on the topic, how can they know what "safe" is? is this level of concentration relative to frequency or proximity of humidifier use? is there a risk of over exposure if the ionic silver stick is defective or is damaged/torn? i am asking air-o-swiss and awaiting a response on this. if anyone else can provide some legit clarity on this topic, i'd appreciate it.

fyi, the demineralization cartridges also contain ionic silver on their surface.

since i already spent hundreds on my air-o-swiss humidifier, and have been using it for months, i'm thinking i'll just refrain from replacing the cartridge and ionic silver stick and just regularly clean out the humidifier which i've had to do anyways because the pink/red buildup of bacteria spreads all over the inside (especially in the many small, hard-to-reach areas). after realizing the time and cost associated with using distilled water only (did this for a few days), i decided to boil a large pot of tap water to reduce bacteria and let the minerals settle some to the bottom and i've only used this kind of water in the humidifier, yet the bacteria is still everywhere. it became like this within 2-3 weeks of use. so it does not seem that the silver is keeping the water that clean.

I bought this for my Air-O-Swiss 7135 unit and change it once a year. I have never had smell or mold. I use it from November to March almost 24 hours a day.

Have to buy for my humidifier. Cheaper here than on iallergy. no compliants and will buy another for next winter.

I'm so happy with my Air-O-Swiss humidifier that I don't mind having to buy a new ionic silver stick once a year. It was expensive but this is my third winter using the unit, and it's still going strong. Less expensive humidifiers I've had in the past didn't last but one winter and were more tedious to clean (had to put vinegar in the tank and base and let sit for a while, then swish around and dry out ... what a pain that was). The Air-O-Swiss instructions say to use distilled or filtered water to avoid chemical buildup in the unit and it's been working out. We have an RO water filter which helps(it would be expensive to buy that much distilled water). I empty the tank every morning and let it dry out during the day, and so far it's working out great. It's worth it replacing the ionic silver stick annually, so I don't have to worry about fungus or bacteria being blown around in the air. Gives me peace of mind!

I purchase one of these about every 6 months for my Air-O-Swiss steamer which I adore. Is the micorbial inhibitor doing it's job? I have NO IDEA. I don't know that there's a way to tell. ???