There are two predominant methods for cleaning air in commercial applications.

1) Sieve and impingement filtration technology (media air cleaners)
2) Electrostatic precipitation technology (electronic air cleaners)

Media Air Cleaners generally consist of a cabinet, a prefilter, a primary filter of a special design and efficiency and a blower. When the filters are in place and the blower is moving air through the filters, the machine is working. The efficiency of the air cleaner depends on the true efficiency of the filter chosen and the true air volume. Honeywell offers 99.97 HEPA filters for maximum efficiency at capturing airborne particulate and a combination of 95% D.O.P. filters and CPZ canisters to effectively capture airborne particulate and odors, gases, and VOCs.

Electronic air cleaners operate on the principle of "charging" particulates as they pass through an electrically charged field. This process is called "ionization." Downstream from the ionizer, a collection cell made up of an arrangement of thin metal plates, carry an opposite electrical charge to attract the ionized particules. The particulates adhere to the collection plate in a manner similar to the way metal filings adhere to a magnet.

Selling Honeywell Air Cleaners

You can choose to sell the merits of a Honeywell electronic air cleaner or you can sell against electronic air cleaners in general. If you elect to sell against the electronic air cleaner you can sell the advantages of media air cleaners and point out negative aspects of the electronic air cleaner.

Negative Points of Electronic Air Cleaners

When electronic air cleaners are operating at peak efficiency, they are acceptable for the control of most airborne particulates. Unfortunately, their efficiency declines gradually and renders them relatively ineffective. Also, they do not collect and control airborne gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOC's or vapors). Electronic air cleaners can be equipped with charcoal, however space limits the quantity of charcoal, and its life and effectiveness is relatively low.

If the electronic air cleaner is in the HVAC system, it works only when the HVAC blower is operating. The HVAC air pattern is adequate for distributing cool or warm air. However, this air pattern is usually inadequate for pollution collection. Electronic air cleaners that are installed in the HVAC system seldom have charcoal; therefore, gases and odors are not collected.

The collecting plates of electronic air cleaners collect relatively large volumes of particulates quickly. As the plates load, their collection efficiency declines. In order to retain adequate area filtration, the electronic cells must be cleaned frequently. In heavy smoking applications, weekly cleaning would be appropriate.

In a brief summary, electronic air cleaners are high maintenance and require frequent cleaning to perform at optimal levels. They do virtually nothing for controlling gases, odors, or VOC's.

Positive Points of Media Air Cleaners

Honeywell media air cleaners are self-contained units that offer different filter configurations to suite your air cleaning needs. You have an option to use a 99.97% HEPA filter only for maximum efficiency at the removal of airborne particulates. Or, you can use a combination of a 95% D.O.P. hospital-grade filter along with Honeywell's patented CPZ sorbent media for maximum efficiency at the removal of airborne particulates, gases, odors, and VOC's.

The efficiency of the media filters actually increases as the filter loads until it reaches its saturation point and needs to be replaced. The lifespan of the filters depend on the type and quantity of pollutants being collected. To give you an example, Honeywell media filters will last for 12 months in a heavy smoking application.

Maintenance is minimal and requires a pre-filter to be replaced or changed out once every month. Honeywell's forward curve blower motors are designed to overcome static pressure that is associated with media style filters. This means that Honeywell's air volume rating is 'net', what comes out of the units with all filters in place. Standard off the shelf blower motors that competitive brands use, give you the air volume that the motor is capable of without any filters in place. When you put a filter in front of the motor, the amount of air that the motor is able to pull through that filter is decreased dramatically. Please see the Why sell Honeywell? link for additional information on this topic.

In a brief summary, media air cleaners are low maintenance and become more efficient as the filters load. They can also be equipped with CPZ sorbent media, which is specially formulated for maximum efficiency at removing gases, odors, and VOC's.

Selling The Merits of a Honeywell Electronic Air Cleaner

Honeywell electronic air cleaners are approximately 20% more efficient, per ASHRAE 52-76 Dust Spot Test, than other brands of electronic air cleaners. The dirt load capacity is considerably greater, which provides for longer high efficiency life. The specified air volume reflects the true air volume, which leaves the unit after being cleaned.

Honeywell electronic air cleaners are engineered for optimum efficiencies. The ionizing voltage to current ratios provide maximum particle charge. These voltages and currents are generated by a solid-state trouble free power supply.

The air volume through the unit and the size and spacing of the collecting plates are matched to ensure superior particulate attraction.

The ionizer and collecting cell insulators are glazed porcelain, which resist dielectric breakdown and dust coatings. Virtually no voltage leakage occurs with these insulators.

If an electronic air cleaner is your answer, use Honeywell, it's the best.