What is an Electrostatic Filter?
There are a few other options available when it comes to filter types, however. One air filter thatās increasingly popular with homeowners is the electrostatic filter, which not only provides excellent filtration but is also cleanable and reusable. If youāre not familiar with electrostatic filters or how they differ from the disposable filters that youāre used to, here are the basics of what you need to know.
How Electrostatic Filters Work
Traditional air filters work by putting pleated material thatās made of a lot of material fibers in the way of air moving through your system, allowing the air itself to pass through but catching dust and other unwanted material on those fibers. Itās fairly effective, but if there arenāt any fibers in the way of any given particle then the particle will pass through without resistance. Electrostatic filters work differently, actually attracting those particles even if they would otherwise be able to pass through the filter unimpeded.
This attraction is caused by static electricity, which is the same thing that causes socks to stick to your clothes in the dryer and can make balloons stick to the wall if you rub them in your hair. These filters carry a slight static charge, allowing them to attract even microscopic particles that would normally be too small for a filter to stop. Particles passing through the filter become ionized, meaning that they pick up a charge themselves which causes them to have a natural attraction that pulls them toward a collecting layer in the filter. Once the particles are attracted to the filter, they become stuck, just like that proverbial sock or balloon.
Cleaning and Maintenance
One positive of traditional pleated filters is that they become more efficient as they build up more dust and other particles; because the stuff filtered out of the air clogs up holes that small particles could pass through in the filter, it becomes less likely that additional particles will pass through. Unfortunately, this isnāt an advantage that electrostatic filters share. As electrostatic filters attract dirt and other particles out of the air, the available attractive material becomes covered up and they actually become less efficient. The good news is that this can be taken care of simply by cleaning the filter.
Cleaning an electrostatic filter is a pretty straightforward process. After turning off the HVAC system and removing the filter, simply take it outdoors and spray it with a hose in the opposite direction that the air would normally flow. Keep rinsing until the water comes out clean, then allow the filter to air dry. Once itās dried, simply reinstall the filter and itās ready to start filtering fine particles out of the air again. Repeat this process once a month or whenever the filter appears dirty.
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Should You Upgrade Your Homeās Filtration?
Though electrostatic filters cost more upfront, the ability to clean them and the greater efficiency that they show when clean means that you can actually save money on filters in the long run. Making the switch is definitely worth considering, and might be worth discussing with an HVAC professional when you schedule a maintenance check before switching on the heat this winter. If you donāt have an HVAC check scheduled yet, HomeKeepr can help you find a pro to get the job done. Creating an account is free, so sign up today and get your HVAC inspection on the books.
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