I cook a lot and roast coffee at home and have pets, kids, wife, etc, that tend to stink up the house. I'd like to get a very good air purifier and want to spend less than 1K. Pretty much all electric whole house units release ozone, however, which seems like counterproductive trading bad air for bad (or worse) air. The Lennox Healthy Climate HC16 is the only electric unit I know that doesn't release ozone. The HVAC guy recommended the Aprilaire 2210, which seems fine but isn't electric. The Aprilaire 5000 got great reviews from CR but releases ozone. What is everyone using nowadays? Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

My suggestion is that you save the $1K for the attorney when your wife reads this post! HAHAHA

Think instead in terms of deorderizing the doghouse you may shortly occupy

you have just about hit the nail on the head
but the fact is ANY time you expose electricity to air you will get ozone , there are allot of variables of how much.
Ozone in summer months is also a concern because of increased UV exposure , but in the winter equipment that generates some ozone will not cause issues as ( excepting extreme cases ) you will not be able to simulate normal o3 levels . And while ozone may be a very big concern for people with respritory problems it does ( as well as other byproducts like hydroxy-radicals ) have benificial natural anti-microbial effects . I look as these systems as great choices for people with these issues , and in my opinion should not be installed prophylactically . If you feel that you have a real VOC/bacterial IAQ problem which smells definitly inidicate the benifits of these peices of equipment definitly out way the o3 risk ( unless your doc advises against again extreme cases ) if you find yourself in the middle as most do ( and what I have in my home ) is the april air pleated 2210 filter for particulates and install a UV light on the supply plenum or in sight of humidifier I use an RGF PHI 212GA , this can simply be pluged in , in the winter when the home is at its tightest and external o3 infiltration is all but nonexsistant . and unplugged in the summer . Seems like the perfect solution , guess again as it will cost more then you want

Using a range hood, bathroom exhaust fans, training the pets (or moving them outdoors) and good hygiene for the family will do what no air purifier can do. No air purifier I know of can really eliminate the odors of which you speak.

If your house is tight an ERV can get you real fresh air though.

Hilarious!

geez gregj, how stinky do you think my wife is?!?

Thanks all for the input. I've asked about the Lennox unit and my installer is checking on availability. He prefers Aprillaire or Honeywell because he says parts are easier to find and that's a good point. Going to shy away from the ozone producers.

First of all, there are several things you can do before you put in air purifiers.  For instance, keep the carpets steam cleaned regularly, and this will help eliminate pet odor in the house.  Also, regular grooming and training the pets to know their place (like off the furniture) also helps with the pet odor.  As far as the wife odor, pray she does not see the post!  I have known people to have some luck with the Aprilaire if you decide to go that direction with the odor control in the house.  However, replacing other filters in your furnace and air conditioner systems will also help with odor control and clean air movement.