GUIDE TO AIR CLEANERS

Guide to Air Cleaners

Air Cleaner : What is it?

An air cleaner, also known as an air filter, is a device used for filtering the air in a room to remove dust, dirt, and other microscopic particles, leaving safe, clean, and healthy air. It uses a filtration system to remove impurities and particulates in the air. The filter is usually made up of porous paper and a wire mesh screen that effectively traps airborne particles. An air cleaner can be connected to an HVAC system or used as standalone unit.]

Types of Air Cleaners

Kinds of Air Cleaners include the following:

High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation (HEPA) air cleaner

A HEPA air cleaner is designed to remove up to 99.97% of micron radioactive particles in the air.
It is commonly used in scientific, military, and industrial applications.
It can also be used in small residential units.
It is usually made from smoothly woven glass particles.
It requires expensive installation, maintenance, and replacement.
It also requires a strong blowing system to move the air, hence, racking up a high energy cost.

Ultra Low Penetrating Air (ULPA) air cleaner

An ULPA air cleaner is designed to maintain clean rooms.
It is commonly used in hospitals and in the semiconductor industry.
Some models can be used for home applications.
It uses a filter made with an intercut microfiber web that traps 99.99% of micron particles in the air.

HEPA-type air cleaner

A HEPA-type air cleaner is used in forced-air and self-contained systems.
It is as effective as the HEPA air cleaner but has not yet met all its the standards and qualities.
It has a 25% to 95% efficiency at removing microscopic particles in the air.
It usually features a treated filter that is more effective when used in forced-air systems.
This type of filter is disposable and more affordable.

Electret or electrostatic air cleaner

An electret or an electrostatic air cleaner uses synthetic fibers to create static charges and attract particles.
It is available in plain and pleated designs.
It also comes in disposable and reusable formats.
It requires frequent maintenance and replacement.
Depending on the brand and model, it can only filter 10% to 35% of microscopic particles in the air.

Electrostatic precipitating or electronic air cleaner

An electrostatic precipitating or electronic air cleaner is designed to draw in particles by fan then charging them using a series of high-voltage wires.
It has a precipitating cell or a series of plates that transfers opposite electrical charges to attract particles in the air.
It is available in whole-house and portable models. The whole-house model is designed to be connected to a cold-air return plenum.
It removes about 85% of micron particles and almost 95% of bulk dirt.
It requires expensive installation and maintenance.

Negative-ion air cleaner

A negative-ion air cleaner features a generator that uses charged needles or wires to create ions or molecules from negative charges.
These ions latch onto the microscopic particles in the air.
It uses a fan to distribute the ions into a room.
However, the negatively charged particles tend to stick to floors, walls, tables, and other flat surfaces and leave stains.

Choosing Air Cleaners (Buying tips)

Clean-air delivery rate (CADR) certification: Choose an air cleaner with a CADR certification to ensure that it has been properly tested by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and recognized by the American Lung Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Efficiency: Choose an air cleaner that is 99% efficient – one that can remove at least 99% of micron particles in the air – to make sure that you are going to get clean, safe, and healthy air.

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