Can electrostatic air cleaners outperform HEPA filters?

Electrostatic air cleaners are a very popular way of cleaning the indoor air. And for a good reason, as electrostatic air cleaners have quite a few advantages over other types of air purifier.

No filters are used, which can be a significant cost saving, as HEPA filters can easily cost $100 or more. Lack of filters, be it pleated or electrostatic filters, also means there is hardly any resistance to air flow, reducing energy requirements, and the electricity bill, significantly. Another great benefit is that electrostatic air cleaners are virtually noiseless.

Another benefit is that electrostatic air cleaners can potentially trap even smaller particulates than 0.3 micron. This means that even viruses, and bacteria are removed from the indoor air.

Electrostatic air cleaners can not remove smoke, fumes and the like, and that’s why they often are combined with an activated charcoal filter, which does have that capability.

Electrostatic air cleaners, also known as electronic air purifiers or electrostatic precipitators, employ a two step process to remove any pollutants:

1. The particulates first get charged when they pass over or through an electrical grid.
2. These charged particles then are attracted by oppositely charged collector plates as they pass in between them.

You can get the benefits of a whole house air cleaner by installing an electrostatic air cleaner in the duct work.

Remember though, to regularly clean the collector plates of your electrostatic air cleaner, because when they get dirty they quickly become less efficient.

For more information on related products, please choose from the following:

HEPA Air Cleaners |Electrical / Ionic Air Purifiers | Whole House Purifiers |