Electronic Air Cleaners, What You Really Need To Know...Electronic air cleaners are devices that are designed to remove pollutants from indoor air. Most of the units operate using the principle of electrostatic precipitation. Most of us have played with a couple of magnets before. We have seen how the two magnets are attracted to each other if they are turned the proper way. That is what electrostatic filters are based on. The pollutants are given a charge and then they are attracted to a material with the opposite charge. This attraction results in the removal of the pollutant from the air which is know as precipitation. An electronic air cleaner (eac) can be a portable unit or it can be attached to your central hvac system. Some of the units are the same size as a standard filter and can be installed in the existing opening. They are more commonly referred to as electrostatic air filters. They typically use a much smaller electrical charge.
Other units require modification of the duct system. These units work by establishing an electrical field. Then, the hvac system blower pulls air into the unit. First, the air passes through metal filters called pre-filters. Here, the larger particles are trapped and the smaller particles pass through to the ionizer section. Here they receive an electrical charge and pass into the collector section. There are thin metal plates in here with the opposite electrical charge. The particles are attracted to the plates and collected there. Finally, the air exits the eac to be conditioned in the hvac system. Before you buy, you need to understand what an eac can and cannot do. An eac can remove small particles but cannot remove gases or odors. For example, they will remove the small particles in tobacco smoke but the smell and gases will remain in the air. Also, these units require monthly maintenance. This includes removing the pre-filters and cells and washing them. Keep in mind that, if the blower on the hvac system is not running, these units do nothing. Therefore, to get the full benefit, the blower must run continuously. This will raise your electric bill. They also make a popping noise when particles are trappped. Lastly, they are pretty expensive (~$500) to install. An eac can lessen some allergens such as dust, pollen, and pet dander. But, these units can produce ozone which can have adverse health effects. Other methods, such as source control and proper ventilation are usually more effective for improving indoor air quality. These units are a good solution when the other methods are not practical. RETURN FROM ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANERS TO HOME
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