Your heating and cooling appliances are kept in good order with annual service, but what about your home’s electronic air cleaner? It needs to be cleaned regularly. Electronic air cleaners come in different shapes and sizes and use varying technologies to clean your indoor air.
Electronic air cleaners use a technology called electrostatic attraction that works by charging the air. Explained in basic terms, the pollutants stick to the charged air and settle on collector plates. Over time, as the plates get loaded with particles and pollutants, the efficiency of the electronic air cleaner is reduced.
To maintain indoor air quality, it’s important to clean the plates regularly, every three months. Though you should check the product instructions beforehand to make sure you’re doing it the right way, cleaning your electronic air cleaner usually calls for the following:
- Power off the system.
- Remove the plates.
- Use a mild detergent that is safe to use on aluminum.
- You can wash the cells in a dishwasher, but remember to place them on four upturned glasses or bowls so that they don’t get damaged. When done, let cool, remove, dry and replace in the cleaner. Don’t allow to dry in the dishwasher, as this may damage the collector plates.
- Or you can soak them in a tub filled with warm water and detergent for about 20 minutes. Move them around to dislodge the pollutants and remove. Let them air dry before replacing.
- You can even gently wash them off with a garden hose outside, again letting them air dry before replacing.
For more expert advice on your HVAC system, electronic air cleaner, or to schedule a service call, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide superior services to Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area