Indoor air pollution has serious health consequences, including allergies, asthma, respiratory problems and an increased risk of cancer from inhaling chemical fumes. One way to combat indoor air pollution is to install an electronic air cleaner. This type of air cleaner sits inside of your home’s HVAC system and removes unhealthy particles as they pass through air vents. 

How They Work

There are two types of electronic air cleaners: ionizers and electrostatic precipitators. Both work by giving particulate matter in the air an electrical charge. Once the particles have a charge, they will stick to a nearby surface instead of remaining in the air for you to inhale. Electronic air cleaners are especially great at removing:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Mold spores
• Pet dander

Electronic air cleaners are an ideal purification system for homeowners with poor indoor air quality or allergy problems. They are especially useful for homeowners who keep their houses sealed up during cold North Carolina winters, because decreased ventilation can contribute to indoor air pollution. Unfortunately, electronic air cleaners do not remove unhealthy gases from the air, such as fumes from an attached garage.

Ionizers

Ionizers work by ejecting ions. The ions attach themselves to particles in the air, giving them a charge. The charged particles either stick to each other and fall to the floor or attach themselves to nearby surfaces, such as curtains and walls. Simply put, ionizers cause unhealthy particles in the air to settle quickly. Homeowners will have cleaner air, but they might have to clean surfaces in the home more often.

Electrostatic Precipitators

Electrostatic precipitators suck air through the air cleaner and force a charge onto particles in the air. These air cleaners also contain oppositely charged plates, which the particles stick to after becoming charged. Some homeowners decide they prefer electrostatic precipitators over ionizers, because they trap particles inside the air cleaner. However, homeowners must remember to clean the plates inside electrostatic precipitators so they can continue trapping particles.

For help choosing and installing an electronic air cleaner in the Asheville area, contact the friendly experts at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about electronic air cleaners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!