The Different Air Cleaners Today
If you are interested in an air cleaner to improve the quality of the air in
your home or office, the following will provide information on the types of units
available, and their primary functions.
FILTRATION MEDIA : Rating = "BEST"
The only truly effective medium for screening particles is the true HEPA filter,
developed by the US Atomic Energy Commission. Filtration devices pass air through
materials that trap contaminants. Gases and odors are normally filtered through
activated carbon and/or zeolite, an organic mineral. Honeywell air cleaners are
the most effective filtration units, combining both carbon/zeolite and true HEPA
to reduce both particles, gasses and odors. Honeywell commercial media air cleaners
drive the smoke, dirt and odors back to the filters where they are captured. HEPA
filters trap the particles (ash, tar, nicotine, etc,), and CPZ soaks up and holds
gases and odors like a sponge soaks up and holds water. Honeywell HEPA/CPZ air
cleaners require very little maintenance as opposed to an electronic air cleaner
that requires regular maintenance weekly and does not eliminate odors.
ELECTRONIC AIR CLEANERS : Rating = "BETTER"
Electronic air cleaners operate on the principle of "charging" particulates as
they pass through an electrically charged field. This process is called "ionization".
a properly designed electronic air cleaner is extremely efficient in the collection
of very small particulates. Honeywell electronic air cleaners are approximately
20% more efficient, per ASHRAE (52-76) Dust Spot Test, than other brands of electronic
air cleaners. The dirt load capacity is considerable greater, which provides for
longer high efficiency life.
OZONE GENERATORS & IONIZERS : Rating = "POOR"
Ozone is an unstable form of oxygen (O2) that attacks and oxidizes such contaminant
substances as hydrocarbons, rendering them harmless water vapor. Current research,
however, implicates ozone in the promotion of free radicals and the oxidation
of human tissue. Ozone can act as a very aggressive agent on lung tissue of asthmatics,
and its oxidizing effect is a suspected cause of degenerative conditions, including
accelerated aging and cancer. |
