Are you looking to improve the indoor air quality in your Asheville area home? One of the better options in air-cleaning technology: electronic air cleaners (EAC). Before you comparison shop for a system, find out how electronic air cleaners work and if these systems are suited to your air quality needs.

How it works

The system consists of a pre-filter, collector plates ionizing wires and cells, a post-filter and fans. Connected to and working alongside the HVAC system, as air circulates through the electronic air cleaner and the HVAC system:

• The pre-filter first captures very large dust particles in its media.
• The particles then move into the charging area, where the ionizing wires give off a high-voltage charge to the particles.
• This charge can target the smallest of particles, or those 0.3 microns in size—an achievement comparable to other superior air-cleaning technologies.
• As the particles continue their journey, they’re drawn to the collector plates that hold the opposite charge.
• Before passing out of the system, a post-filter captures any particles that don’t stick to the collector plates or aren’t given a charge.

Over the course of the average day, the electronic air cleaner continues to charge particles, eliminating them from the home’s air supply. In order to operate at peak capacity, the air handler must be running to circulate air through the home and through the air cleaner.

It’s important to note that the electronic air cleaner’s ability to charge particles, in the opinion of some experts, offers better control over indoor air quality. Experts believe that particles of 1 micron or smaller comprise the majority of the particles in the air, nearly 100 percent, and it’s these particles that cause the most health problems. Since they’re so small, they purportedly hang in the air unless they come into contact with a surface—a theory that informed the design of electronic air cleaners.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air is proud to serve its Asheville neighbors. Give us call today or visit our website for more information about electronic air cleaners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Asheville, North Carolina and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

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