What Is an Electrostatic Filter?
An electrostatic filter is made with electrically charged media. This type of air-filtering system uses two plates. One has a positive charge, and the other has a negative charge. The plate with the positive charge attracts particles with a negative charge. The positively charged particles are attracted to the negatively charged plate. All electrically charged particles in your home’s air will be attracted to one of these plates. The particles stick to the plate until you wash its surface.
1. Cost-Effective Air Filtration
Electrostatic air filters are permanent or reusable filters. This means you only have to buy one filter for the lifetime of your heating and cooling system. The filters cost $50 to $100. Disposable filters range in price from $10 to $50, and they need to be replaced every one to three months.
Your electrostatic air filter will save you money after just one year of purchasing it. Since you wash and reuse the filter, they don’t generate waste for the landfill. These filters can be recycled when you replace your heating and cooling system.
2. Fit Most Heating and Cooling Systems
With a pleated, flat, or HEPA air filter, you have to get the right size of product. This can be an exercise in frustration as there are myriad different sizes of filters. Electrostatic filters come in one size, and they fit almost every heating and air conditioning system. You won’t have to worry about accidentally purchasing the wrong size of filter. Since electrostatic air filters are reusable, you won’t have to place an order for new filters every couple of months or stand in a long line at a store to purchase what you need.
3. Good Air Filtration
Electrostatic air filters offer good air filtration. Their electrical charge captures the charged dust particles that float around your home. They also capture bacteria and viruses, which have charged protein coats. Pet dander, pollen, and other particles are also captured by these filters. You won’t have to dust your home as frequently because the filter will sequester the dust. This keeps your home cleaner and more enjoyable.
4. Fair Minimum Efficiency Reported Value Rating
Electrostatic air filters have a minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) rating of 5 to 6. This is a fair rating for a permanent filter. If you want to further enhance your home’s indoor air quality, electrostatic filters are compatible with UV-C air purifiers, whole-home fans, attic fans, and portable air purifiers.
5. Captures Many Particles
An electrostatic air filter captures most of the tiny particles in your home’s air. This accounts for shed skin cells, dust, pollen, pet dander, and more. These particles are the leading contributors to indoor air quality problems. The filters also help with the removal of oil droplets from cooking. Additionally, the filters capture tiny particles of dirt that get tracked into your home on shoes and the feet of your pets.
6. Maintains Full Airflow
Pleated and flat air filters have tiny pores that capture dust and other particles. Once those pores are full, the airflow from the heating or air conditioning system slows. After about three months of use, a typical disposable filter will decrease the heating or cooling system’s airflow by 15% to 30%. This causes problems with comfort and causes the heating and cooling system to cycle more frequently.
Electrostatic filters have no pores. Their flat plates attract particles. The air passes between the plates. Even when the surfaces of the plates are fully coated in dust or dirt, the air has no trouble passing through. You’ll enjoy consistent airflow and consistent temperatures throughout your home.
7. Better Heating and Cooling System Performance
Dust buildup on the evaporator coil of a heat pump or air conditioner can lead to a lot of problems, including reduced cooling capacity and a shorter product lifespan. Dust and debris that gets into your home’s air ducts impedes airflow and causes the heating and cooling system to cycle more frequently. This leads to excessive wear and tear. Electrostatic air filters capture the smallest dust particles, keeping them out of your heating and cooling system. The system will maintain a clean interior, which increases its energy efficiency and performance.
8. Easy to Care For
If you are not a big fan of household chores and maintenance, an electrostatic air filter is a good option for you. These filters just need to be wiped clean once a month. All you need is a damp microfiber cloth or a disposable cleaning wipe. You wipe the plates of the filter in order to remove the dust and buildup. This process only takes a minute or two.
If you’re watching your home’s carbon footprint, you can wash and reuse the cleaning cloth. Dedicate the single cloth to the purpose of maintaining the electrostatic filter. Disposable air filters are bulky and difficult to wrangle. By the time you remove a dirty traditional filter from your heating and cooling system, it could release its dust all over you. The ease of maintaining electrostatic air filters is a big draw for busy homeowners.
9. Lower Utility Bills
Choosing an electrostatic air filter may lower your utility bills because your heating and cooling system will be able to operate at its highest level of efficiency. Dirty pleated or flat air filters drop heat pump and air conditioner efficiency by 15% or more. That’s because the clogged pores don’t allow the heated or cooled air to pass through.
Electrostatic air filters don’t have this problem because there are no pores to get clogged. When paired with an annual tune-up of your heating system and cooling system, an electrostatic air filter could lower your utility bills by hundreds of dollars each year.
10. No By-Products
Traditional air filters are often made of fiberglass. If any of the fibers get loose, they become airborne. Breathing fiberglass into your lungs is harmful to your health. Electrostatic air filters don’t contain fiberglass. Instead, they’re made with woven polypropylene fibers.
Unlike some air sanitizing and filtering systems, they don’t produce any ozone. Exposure to ozone causes some sensitive individuals to experience fatigue, headaches, and malaise. When you clean the electrostatic air filter’s plates, wear a dust mask and eye goggles. This prevents any dust particles that fly off the cleaning cloth from getting into your eyes, nose, or mouth. Electrostatic filters are safe to use and maintain.
