Air Filters and Cleaners

The spectrum of air filters and cleaners are differentiated in a number of ways. Here's a look at the main types:

HEPA, which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Accumulation, is a highly effective filter originally designed for removing radioactive particles from air. Today HEPA filters are used in military, industrial and scientific applications and in some portable and room-size residential home air filters. Made from finely woven glass particles formed into a pleated filter that has a very large surface area, a HEPA filter -- by definition -- removes 99.97 percent of all .3 micron particles from the air.

Unfortunately, high replacement cost is a real disadvantage to HEPA filters -- they generally must be replaced once every year to 18 months, depending upon use, and they typically cost from $70 to $125. And because the filters are so dense, they require a strong blower to move air through, racking up higher energy costs (though typically less than 10 cents a day). The larger the surface area of a HEPA, the better -- so find out its square footage before buying one.

"HEPA-type" filters are not HEPA filters, but some of the pleated types are almost as effective. A filter with this label means that it has not met the rigorous standards of a genuine HEPA. Most range from 25 percent to 95 percent effective at microscopic particle removal. Before buying one, be sure you know how good it is at blocking respirable size particles. With continuous use, HEPA-type filters must be replaced every year at a cost of from $55 to $65.

Though ordinary $3 furnace filters catch about 75 percent of bulk-dirt, they capture very little -- often less than 3 percent -- of the minute pollutants. Slightly more effective are treated filters. These disposable products, which typically sell for under $15, have been coated with dirt-trapping glycol or mineral oil. Though they stop about the same percentage of bulk dirt, they block up to about 10 percent of the smaller, microscopic particles.

An electret or electrostatic filter uses synthetic fibers that create a static charge to attract particles. Costing from $30 to $150, electrostatic filters are reusable. Though you just hose them out to clean them, they do have to be replaced periodically. They're about as efficient as treated filters. Some, such as the Web filter, are sold as kits; the frame is permanent, the filter pad is replaced every couple of years.

An electrostatic precipitating ("electronic") air cleaner draws particles in by fan and charges them with a series of high-voltage wires. A precipitating cell (a series of plates) that carries the opposite electrical charge attracts the particles as they pass by. You can buy either portable versions of these or whole-house models that connect to the cold-air return plenum on the furnace. They are quite effective, removing about 95 percent of bulk dirt and 85 percent of microscopic particles. Whole-house electronic air cleaners, sold through heating contractors, cost $500 to $1500 installed, depending mostly on the complexity of installation.