Air Cleaners
Written by Elizabeth Wood
Editor In Chief, United Home Improvement

Air cleaning is a wonderful method used to reduce pollutants in indoor air. It provides the removal of pollutants, ventilation, and it cleans the air. Air cleaners have been known to reduce health effects from harmful indoor particles in the air. There are several different air filters and cleaners to choose from.

Below is a list of your options:

• Mechanical Filters: Mechanical air filters remove dust by capturing it on the filter medium. Any man made or natural fiber filter is a mechanical air filter. This includes furnace filters and HEPA air filters as well.

• High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation (HEPA): Filter that removes 99.97% of particles in the air by forcing it through screens containing microscopic pores. Great for people who suffer from sensitivity to allergens. Traps extremely small particles.

• Electronic Air Cleaners: Device that uses a series of wires that are electrically charged. These charged wires attract the particles being drawn in by the heating/cooling fan. Must be maintained for efficiency.

• Electrostatic Air Filters: Work by charging the dust particles in the air which are then attracted to metal plates in the machine. You don't have to change them, just wash them off. May produce ozone.

• Ion Generators: Works well when used in conjunction with an air filter. This device produces negative ions that charge the particles in the air. The charged particles then attach themselves to walls, floors, furniture, etc. May produce ozone.

Before purchasing an air filter or cleaner, consider the performance of the air cleaner. Such factors include the amount of particles to be removed, the effective air volume of the air to be cleaned, energy efficiency, and the level of noise created. In addition, it is important to research the cost of maintenance for each device before investing in it. Keep in mind, typically the most effective cleaners and filters will cost more to maintain.

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