HEPA Air Purifiers Ionic Air Purifiers: What Is Better?

While both devices are designed to make the quality of indoor air better, HEPA and ionic air purifiers are quite different in how they deal with the poor quality of indoor air. In this article we have managed to break down the main differences between the two types of devices for air purification, as well as to explain why the models that are HEPA-based are the number one choice for the customers in any instance.  

Ionic Air Purifiers

In point of fact, there are two kinds of ionic air purifiers that are the following –air ionizers and electrostatic precipitators. In both cases the devices are not equipped with the filters and can be pretty appealing for the reason that there is no filter replace.

Electronic precipitators use plates that are negatively and positively charged in order to catch air particulates when they’re passing through. The user does not have to replace the filter. Instead, one should clean or wash the plates. Even though the unit is quite beneficial (especially when the question is about the price), the user gives up a lot when it comes to performance in contrast to the HEPA filters.

The performance of the electrostatic precipitators reaches its highest point when the plates are absolutely clean. Nonetheless, even in such case, the device performance is much worse in comparison with the HEPA filters. To add more, when the plates are getting dirty, the level of performance drops greatly.

Usually ozone is generated as the charged plate’s by-product. In case the user has a very sensitive system such as asthma or emphysema, ozone may lead to a serious problem. According to the latest researches, indoor air cleaners must be tested in order to comply with the minimum ozone requirements in the state of California. As a result, there are less models of ionic devices within the market. Experts tend to believe that the last thing the user want the indoor air purifier to do is to add pollutants to his living area.

Talking about the other type of the ionic air cleaner is the air ionizer, it’s necessary to mention that these devices are not really equipped with a filter. Instead, they’re sending out a charge that attaches to the various particles in the indoor air that then attach to something else. Thus, the airborne particulates are successfully removed from the room air. But the problem is that it attaches to something that can be your favorite dress, walls or even lungs. Even though the device is pocket-friendly, it’s not generally recommended for those, who would like to have some relief from asthma, allergy or any other type of respiratory ailments.  

HEPA Air Purifiers

Originally, HEPA filters were designed by the representatives of the United States military in the times of the WWII. At the time, the HEPA filters were used as an integral part of an effective gas mask. It is known that since then the technology hasn’t changed greatly. When the conversation flips to the air cleaning performance, HEPA air filters are what the doctor ordered! Moreover, HEPA filters are getting more efficient as the time is passing by and thus, they’re eliminating more airborne particulates as they’re getting dirty.

While at some point the user is required to replace the HEPA air filters, it’s for the sake of ensuring the user is provided with the best level of indoor air cleaning. As the devices catch particulates, the airflow resistance level will boost and that will lead to less airflow through the filter, as well as lower performance of the air cleaning.

There’s a certain paradox regarding the home air filters replacing. As a rule, people tend to put off the process of replacing the air filters in their home HVAC system. If you know what it all is about, then you realize it’s a huge mistake.

As a rule, the largest energy user in every living area is the HVAC system. When trying to “save” some funds through not replacing the air filter, the users are actually making the whole HVAC system work longer and harder. This in turn causes the reducing in the life of your cooling and heating systems. Moreover, it also increases the monthly energy bill more than if the user just performed the replacement of the filters. In other words, you’re spending your precious money unknowingly in order to save some cents.

To cut the long story, when the debate is about HEPA vs. Ionic air purifiers, make sure to take a look at the product trends. Fifteen years ago, more than 50% of indoor air purifiers sold were the ones of the ionic type. That was mainly due to the solid marketing logo – “Clean Indoor Air without Filters.” Since that time, the experts of the industry have proven that HEPA-based filters are more recommended for the indoor air clean.