Electronic Air Purifier Technology Guide Introduction to Electronic Air Purifiers An electronic air purifier is one which uses electrostatic attraction to trap polluting particles and thereby remove them from the airflow. This is in contrast to mechanical air cleaners, which use filters such as HEPA filters to capture particles. There are two different types of electronic air purifiers, which use different processes to achieve this same end. The first type is the electrostatic precipitators; the second is the ionizer, also called the ion generator (although, somewhat confusingly, both types of cleaner use ions). The differences between the two will be discussed below. How Electronic Air Purifiers Work Both types of electronic air purifiers give an electric charge to the polluting particles. Charged particles, or ions, are by nature attracted to other particles with the opposite charge. The end result is that charged particles will be drawn to and then stick to each other.

Electrostatic precipitators and ionizers differ from each other in how they charge the particles and what happens to the particles after they have been charged.where to buy nintendo wii lens cleaning kit Electrostatic precipitators draw air into the purifier. air duct cleaner job descriptionThe polluted air passes through an ionizing mechanism which gives the particles a charge. georgia clean air force repair watchAfter this, the now-charged particles continue through to the next section of the purifier, which contains plates that have the charge opposite to the charge just given to the particles (e.g., if the particles are positively charged, the plates are negatively charged). The particles therefore stick to the plates and are removed from the air.

The plates must be cleaned periodically or will cease to capture the particles. Ion generators differ in that, instead of drawing the particles in and then charging them, they release ions into the surrounding air. These ions attach themselves to airborne particles, thereby charging them. The newly charged particles then become attracted to surfaces such as drapes or walls, or they combine with other particles and fall to the floor. Effectiveness of Electronic Air Cleaners According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's guide to air cleaning devices, "Electronic air cleaners exhibit high initial efficiencies in cleaning air, largely because of their ability to remove fine particles." However, the EPA also states that the continued effectiveness of an electrostatic precipitators is highly dependent on keeping the collecting plates clean. The owner of an electrostatic precipitator, therefore, should take care not to forget about this task. Limitations of Electronic Air Purifiers

Unless they also include some other mechanism as well, electronic air cleaners (of either type) target only particles, not gasses. This means that many common types of indoor air pollution, such as Volatile Organic Compounds, are not affected by them. Some electronic purifiers have been known to release ozone into the air, sometimes as a byproduct and sometimes intentionally. Ozone is a pollutant that can cause serious health problems to those who are exposed even to fairly small levels. The dangers of ozone-generating air purifiers have become more widely understood in recent years, however, and as a result many companies have produced electronic air cleaners that do not emit ozone, and their marketing usually prominently reflects that fact. Those shopping for an air purifier are strongly advised to make sure they are not buying an ozone generator, because such devices may well only make their air quality worse. As indicated above, ion generators, unlike electrostatic precipitators, have no means of collecting pollutants inside the purifier itself.

Instead, the particles settle elsewhere in the home, so that air pollution is reduced, but surfaces become dirtier. Some might not consider this a trade-off worth making. Electronic air purifiers, like their mechanical cousins, focus on removing unwanted particles from the air. They do so using not filters, but electric charges. There are two types of electronic air cleaners: electrostatic precipitators and ionizers. The former have the advantage of collecting pollutants on special plates, whereas the latter simply cause the pollutions to stick to surfaces in your home. Precipitators, however, require regular maintenance or else they will lose their effectiveness. Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind if you plan to buy an electronic air cleaner is to make sure it does not produce ozone."Residential Air Cleaners (Second Edition): A Summary of Available Information (Types of Particle Removal Air Filters).""Residential Air Cleaners (Second Edition): A Summary of Available Information (Air Filters - Available Evidence of Their Usefulness)."

"Residential Air Cleaners (Second Edition): A Summary of Available Information (Portable Air Cleaners - Available Evidence of Their Usefulness)." Published April 28, 2010 | Updated June 24, 2015 Today's homes keep us comfortable with air-tight construction that helps heating and cooling systems work efficiently. However, those closed doors and windows also trap air in the house, making it smell stale and concentrating airborne particles. Air purifiers are electronic air cleaners that capture allergens and contaminants, including dust, pollens, pet dander, and odors. Unlike climate-control appliances of the past, most of today's air purifiers are quiet and energy efficient. Several cleaning methods are available; most air purifiers use filters or electronic precipitators to refresh your home environment. This guide explains the available options, so you can be familiar with what you're looking for. Buying an Air Purifier: Filtration SystemsFilter-based air purifiers are the most popular.

In this system, a fan pulls air through a paper or mesh filter. The air filter can be a replaceable model or a permanent, washable model. Washable filters are good for trapping dust, but they don't trap pollen and smaller particulates. Many newer air purifiers incorporate pre-filters that catch larger particles in the air flow to boost the efficiency of the main filter. HEPA FiltersHigh-efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filters are designed to capture 99.97 percent of airborne particles measuring 0.3 micrometers or larger from the air as they pass through the filter. HEPA filters efficiently remove mold spores, bacteria, and dust from the air, making HEPA air purifiers some of the best on the market for people with asthma, allergies, or increased susceptibility to illness. Activated CarbonFilters are not very good at eliminating odors; therefore, many air purifiers include some form of activated carbon in the design to absorb odors and chemicals. If you have pets or young children at home, look for an air purifier with activated carbon to remove odors from the air.