The Best Air Filter Option

Should You Install an Electrostatic Air Filter?

The answer, according to Consumer Reports, is a resounding “No!”  In their December 2007 issue, Consumer Reports product testers found several troubling issues related to electrostatic air filters.
Labrador Services Agrees

Over the years we have noticed countless issues with heating systems equipped with electrostatic air filters.  On many systems that we have serviced, we have found fans and ductwork clogged with lint, animal hair and dirt.  How is it possible that these “high tech” filters fail to remove even the largest particles from the air?  Considering the hype surrounding electrostatic filters, not to mention the excessive cost of the equipment—around $1,500 installed—we find this to be disconcerting.

The problem with electrostatic air filters is that the scientific principles behind their design simply do not meet up with their real world application. The theory behind the filters is sound—by creating a charged electrical field in the air stream along with an oppositely-charged collector plate, it should be possible to capture even the smallest particles and contaminates. 

However, for a number of reasons, including poorly designed collector plates, air turbulence, and bad electrical connections, electrostatic systems do not work.  In fact, according to Consumer Reports, the filters themselves can be a health risk. An alarming number of the units they tested were found to produce potentially hazardous levels of ozone—a by-product of the process through which the charged field in the air stream is created.  What’s more, the ozone is airborne, meaning that it has the potential to be distributed throughout the entire home or building.  

A Better Option:

Labrador Services recommends the use of five-inch media filter assemblies.  This equipment offers superior performance at a far more affordable price. These filters catch the vast majority of passing particles. Their added thickness means that they only need to be replaced once per season.  We like the Honeywell F200 line of products in particular because the access doors work well and the replacement filters are reasonably priced.   Aprilaire and Air Bear are two other manufacturers that offer comparable equipment.  Good air seals are extremely important on these devices.  This is particularly true in unconditioned spaces such as attics and basements where air leaks can result in substantial energy loss.