How Do Electrostatic HVAC Air Filters Work?

Understanding How Electrostatic HVAC Air Filters Work?

All HVAC systems use filters to help clean the air and prevent dirt and other pollutants from circulating through your home’s vents. Electrostatic air filters have been around a long time. They deliver tried-and-true results and function a little bit different than today’s popular HEPA filter.

To determine whether an electrostatic filter is right for your residential or commercial HVAC system, it’s important to learn more about it and how it differs from HEPA filters. Here’s a brief background into how electrostatic HVAC air filters work and their benefits.

How Electrostatic Air Filters Work

Unlike HEPA air filters, electrostatic air filters don’t have to be replaced frequently. This makes them ideal for homeowners or building managers who don’t want to worry about constantly replacing furnace filters. Removing the need to constantly invest in new air filters can also save you money.

The reason electrostatic types of filters don’t need to be replaced frequently is because they work in a completely different way from HEPA filters. They use static electricity to charge unwanted particles in the air. Once the airborne particles are statically charged, they simply stick to the inside of the electrostatic air purifier filtration system.

Once they’re charged, airborne particles become too heavy to float through the air. The air purification system is designed to hold a charge opposite to the charge of the particles. Because of this opposite charge, the particles are automatically drawn to the insides of the air purifier, where they stay until they are manually cleaned out. An electrostatic filter can improve your indoor air quality and make the air in your home safer to breathe.

As you can imagine, the insides of your electrostatic air filter will eventually become saturated with dirty particles from the air. When this happens, it’s time to manually clean the different layers of the purifier.

Cleaning Your Filter

It’s pretty easy to clean your electrostatic filter. You can either use a water hose to do it or simply clean it out with a vacuum. Most people prefer the latter option because it’s very fast and easy. But you can use whichever method you prefer.

When cleaning your electrostatic air filter with a water hose, hold the filter so that you’re spraying the trapped particles outward instead of further inward. You may want to use a gentle spraying attachment to get the best results from this cleaning method. If you’re having a difficult time removing the particles with water alone, use a clean rag to wipe down the filter after spraying it.

If the particles aren’t too deep into the filter, it may be easier to vacuum them out. Simply use a small vacuum attachment to suck the particles directly out of the filter. If you keep up on this method and vacuum your filter out at least once per month, you should have no problem keeping your electrostatic filter clean and functioning well.



Learn More

For more information on how to use electrostatic air filters to keep the air circulating through your house clean, contact Next Level HVAC today at 707-228-9921. You can also send us a message online if you have any questions about our services. Once we receive your request, we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.