Our service technicians have helped many customers improve the indoor air quality of their homes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental health risks to Americans. Air cleaning devices are designed to remove pollutants from indoor air. We repair and install electronic air cleaning devices in the ductwork of a home’s central heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system to clean the air throughout the house. A valuable source of information about indoor air quality can be found here. The EPA provides the following description of electronic how air cleaners work. Electronic air cleaners such as electrostatic precipitators use a process called electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles. They draw air through an ionization section where particles obtain an electrical charge. The charged particles then accumulate on a series of flat plates called a collector that is oppositely charged.

Ion generators, or ionizers, disperse charged ions into the air, similar to the electronic air cleaners but without a collector. These ions attach to airborne particles, giving them a charge so that they attach to nearby surfaces such as walls or furniture, or attach to one another and settle faster. Our service technicians are trained to service and repair electronic air cleaners. If your air cleaner appears to not be working and the neon indicator light is not on you should make sure the access door is firmly closed and latched and this may fix the problem. If the door is closed firmly and the neon indicator light is not on give us a call and we can help you. One question we will ask before coming to your house, “Is the furnace or air conditioner blower working?” When we come out to your house we will inspect the filters, the cell(s) for broken ionizer wires and bent collector plates. If the filters are dirty, we will clean the filters for you and show you how to maintain it in the future.

If you smell a strange odor (ozone) in your house, definitely give us a call to help you remedy the situation. Our service technicians are very knowledgeable about the installation requirements for electronic air cleaners. For example, the installation must provide for adequate access to the air cleaner for future inspection during use, repairs, or maintenance. global air purifier market sizeThe two types of brands we recommend are as follows.top allergies air purifier Indoor air cleaners require regular maintenance to keep the filters and cells clean. a plus air duct cleaningWe recommend you consult your owner’s manual and follow the manufacturers recommendations for regular cleaning and replacing of filters. If you prefer that our technicians perform the maintenance procedures, give us a call and we will be glad to help you.

We have pulled together some very helpful articles and checklists to help you better understand heating and air conditioning systems.  We have also included some valuable resources to help you through the process.  If you have additional questions, don’t hesitate to contact us directly at 763-476-1990. What's in your air and what can you do about itEven “fresh,” outdoor air has as many as 30 million dust or pollutant particles per cubic foot. There are, however, measures you can take to lessen the effects of these particles in your home. Since the home is essentially an enclosed system, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) contractors are able to tackle pollution head-on by moving the air through a high-efficiency air cleaner. At its most basic level, an air cleaner filters out the particles that cause irritation, such as pollen, spores, dust, and other contaminates. Hence, if the particles are not in the air stream (for example, they’re dust on furniture), an air cleaner won’t remove them.

A good air cleaner reduces or removes the irritants that cause allergic symptoms. You may choose a portable air cleaner for smaller spaces or a whole-house air cleaner that works in conjunction with your forced-air system to provide cleaner air throughout your home. There are basically two: furnace-mounted, whole-house units and portable single-room units. A room air cleaner may be best in an apartment, for example, while a whole-house unit might work better with a furnace and air conditioning system. It’s important to note that both room and system air cleaners come in a variety of models, and that not all models use the same technology to clean the air. Each kind of air cleaner has its pros and cons, which may differ depending on your air-cleaning requirements. Take a look at what your needs are based on your dwelling and allergies and talk to your professional HVACR contractor about the best kind for you. What are the most effective air cleaners? These units use high-efficiency pleated filters, or “media,” to remove about 99% of larger particles, including many allergens.

With irritants in the spore and pollen range, they are as effective as HEPA filters but not as effective in filtering out the super-small particulates such as bacteria, viruses, and respirable dust. Media air cleaners are cost effective compared to HEPA filters because the filters are usually less expensive and generally need to be replaced only every one or two years. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) cleaners also use high efficiency pleated media to remove particles. To be designated HEPA, an air cleaner must remove 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns in size (such as dust and mold spores). Due to high cost, operational complications, and other problems, HEPA units are usually seen in residential applications as one-room, portable units. When media in these units need to be replaced, it’s often relatively expensive to do so. Some require charcoal filters that need to be cleaned frequently. Warranties for HEPA cleaners are normally one to three years. Electrostatic air filters are not recognized as true high-efficiency air cleaners.

However, they are generally recognized as being more effective than the standard one-inch throw-away filters. Electrostatic air filters depend on the movement of the air through the filter to give particles a weak electronic charge. Usually, these models are less than 20% efficient, with some models having efficiencies below 5%. They need to be cleaned often, sometimes weekly, to maintain air flow. Electrostatic air filters have warranties ranging from one year to lifetime. There are two types of electronic air cleaners. Both electrically charge particles and attract them to a collection material. The standard electronic air cleaner will collect charged particles on a specially designed “plate.” Most electronic cleaners can obtain 95% efficiency or higher on various particles when the collection plates and ionizing wires are clean, but they can lose some efficiency as they collect dirt. A newer technology in electronic air cleaners is called “electronically enhanced media” combining elements of both electronic and media air cleaners.