Electrostatic Air Cleaners

If you are looking for an energy-efficient air cleaner, you may want to consider an electrostatic model. Air cleaners featuring electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are popular for industrial applications. But you can find residential models as well for home use.

This post will explain what electrostatic air cleaners are, how they work, and their pros and cons. That way, you can make an informed decision about whether to buy one for your home or workplace.

What is an Electrostatic Air Cleaner?

An electrostatic air cleaner is an air cleaner that uses a device called an electrostatic precipitator to pull fine particles and contaminants out of the air as it passes through. An electrostatic precipitator is not a filter. In fact, electrostatic air cleaners can be entirely filterless systems.

How Do Electrostatic Precipitators Work?

There are two different types of electrostatic precipitators: high-voltage, single-stage precipitators, and low-voltage, two-stage precipitators. Here is how each type of electrostatic precipitator works.

High-Voltage, Single-Stage

This type of precipitator is sometimes called a “Cottrell Type.”

• A single chamber features high-voltage discharge electrodes (wires) and grounded collection plates.

• The air flows through the chamber between the electrodes and the collection plates.

• A corona discharge ionizes the air.

• The particles receive a negative charge from the ionization process.

• The collection plates have a positive charge.

• The particles are attracted to the plates since they have the opposite charge. This pulls them out of the air as it passes through the chamber.

It sounds complex at first, but you can see that it is really quite simple. This device uses basic electric attraction/repulsive properties that you probably remember learning about in school.

Low-Voltage, Two-Stage

This design is very similar to the one above. The main difference is that instead of featuring a single chamber, it has a separate section for the collection plates. But it uses an ionizing process to charge the particles in the first chamber, just like the single-stage version.

Key Benefits of Using ElectrostaticCleaners

Why choose an air cleaner with an electrostatic precipitator, rather than a different type of air purifier? Here are the advantages of electrostatic air cleaners.

• Energy-efficient: As filters in other types of air purifiers get clogged, airflow suffers, and they become less efficient. You do not have to worry about that happening with an electrostatic air cleaner. Nothing will impede the flow of the air. The cleaner can purify the air effectively, maintain a consistent flow, and do it all with less power than an appliance with a clogged filter could manage.

• Cost-effective: One thing many people dread when shopping for an air cleaner is worrying about having to replace the filters. For one thing, filters are expensive, and they are an ongoing cost for the lifetime of the appliance. For another, they can sometimes be hard to find. Buying an electrostatic model completely eliminates the need for filters. You could end up saving hundreds of dollars a year. Collection plates may eventually need replacement. But generally they last for at least 5-10 years.

• Very effective: Air cleaners featuring electrostatic technology do a great job pulling the majority of large particles out of the air. They are highly effective at removing dust, pet dander and pollen. Since their airflow is high, they often outperform systems with filters.

• Operates quietly: Electrostatic air cleaners tend to operate quietly. They should not be obtrusive. Whether you are using one at home or at your job, you will probably forget your air cleaner is even running.

How To Choose The Right Electrostatic Air Cleaner

• Capacity and efficiency: Check how large a room the cleaner can cover, and how much air it can clean within an hour. Find out how much power it uses to determine how energy-efficient it is.

• Construction: The more well-manufactured an electrostatic air cleaner is, the better it will operate, and the longer it will last.

• Maintenance: Look up what kind of maintenance is required, and how frequently. You probably will have to clean the collection plates. Find out if they are easy to access.

• Settings: There may be different speed settings available. Some models might also be programmable, or have other special features, like indicator lights.

• Dimensions: Ensure that the model you are ordering will fit where you need to put it.

Do Electrostatic Air Cleaners Have Any Drawbacks?

• Ozone: These air cleaners produce ozone as a by-product. This can be irritating for some people, particularly those with lung conditions.

• Particle size: Electrostatic air cleaners are great for larger particles, but may not get the job done if you mostly need to filter finer particles.

• Maintenance: Although they do not require filters, electrostatic air cleaners do require ongoing maintenance. You will need to clean dust and debris off the collection plates every few weeks.

So, whether or not an electrostatic air cleaner is a good option really depends on your needs. If you mostly need to clean large particles out of the air, they can be a great fit.

There are also some electrostatic air cleaners that do include filters. That way, they are able to remove additional types of particles from the air. So, that is another option you can consider if you want the best of both worlds.

Even though they are not maintenance-free, for many people, cleaning the plates is preferable than having to buy filters forever.

Where to Can You Buy An Electrostatic Air Cleaner

An electrostatic air cleaner can help you purify the air at your workplace or in your home while keeping the process energy-efficient and cost-effective. Click below to get our recommended electrostatic air cleaner.