Electrostatic Air Cleaners
Drawing contaminants out of the air with electricity
Also called electrostatic precipitators, these air cleaners zap microscopic pollutants, contaminants and other particulates with electricity. A localized electrical field is used to trap particles.
These units are somewhat similar to ion air purifiers in that they create negative ions within the field. A fan is then used to draw particles back into the unit, where the dust is collected by a metal plate that helps reduce dust production.
An electrostatic air cleaner can be purchased as a portable unit or attached to the home's central filtration system.
Some of the disadvantages of this type of air purifier are:
- It produces dust you will need to vacuum. Technically, there is no filter involved in this type of air cleaner.
- Some studies show that these can produce ozone as a side effect of their operation, although the full effects of this might be overestimated. Exposure to elevated ozone levels is certainly harmful, but the ozone produced by electronic air cleaners is minimal.
- These units lose efficiency over time, so you will have to replace the unit or key components.
Advantages and benefits of electrostatic air cleaners are:
- A relatively underestimated benefit: electrostatic air cleaners can reduce airborne viruses by 75 percent or more. Compared to all other air purifiers, these might be the most effective at removing microorganisms.
- They are less expensive than some other air purifiers with comparable results (although electrostatic purifiers do require extra vacuuming).
- They have a low everyday energy cost. The filter does not need to be replaced as often as it does for other types of purification, as it is not critical to the unit.
Need more technical info? Electrostatic precipitators use two kinds of systems: one-stage or two-stage.
- In one-stage systems, the same medium that charges the air also collects particles.
- In two-stage systems, the electrodes and wires that create a charge are separate from the metal plate (also electrically charged) that draws and collects particles.
Of course, the two-stage system is more efficient and more expensive than the one-stage.
A fully installed electric air cleaner can cost as much as $900, though units can be found for less online. These purifiers are especially effective when combined with other air purification methods in a hybrid air purifier.
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