How Can You Maintain an Electronic Air Cleaner?

Particularly for asthma and allergy sufferers, an electronic air cleaner is an important investment. It eliminates many of the particles and contaminants from your air that your HVAC’s air filter alone can’t handle. But in order for your air cleaner to continue working at peak efficiency, it needs to be cleaned approximately once a month. Here’s how to perform proper maintenance on your electronic air cleaner.

• Turn off power to the unit, as well as to your HVAC system.
• Remove your prefilters and collector cells. Some air cleaners also have post filters or carbon after filters. If so, remove those as well.
• Soak the prefilters and collector cells in warm water mixed with dishwasher detergent (not dish soap), for about half an hour.
• Rinse them and then let them dry for another half hour.
• Do NOT soak your post filters or carbon after filters in water. Vacuum your post filters, if you have them. Replace your carbon after filters every three months.
• Replace the filters and collector cells in the unit and turn it back on. Then turn your HVAC system back on.
• Wait another one to two days for the filters to dry completely, inside the unit. In the meantime, you may hear some popping or cracking noises. This is normal and no cause for alarm.

In addition to your monthly cleaning, your electronic air cleaner should undergo professional maintenance approximately once a year. This can be performed by your HVAC technician at the same time as your annual HVAC maintenance visit. The process includes an inspection of the unit’s components, a check to make sure the wiring and electrical connections are secure, and a basic overview to make sure it’s in good working order and make any necessary repairs or adjustments.

For more help maintaining your electronic air cleaner, be sure to contact us!

At Sobieski Services, Inc., our goal is to help our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey learn more about energy and home comfort issues — especially HVAC and plumbing issues — so that they can save money and live in healthier, more comfortable homes.