Breathe Easy
Effective Filters can help you and your family breathe cleaner
Disposable filters are generally made of coarse fiberglass mats in a frame mounted on a filter rack. They are often referred to as "throwaway" filters. Very large particles are collected by straining, as they are too large to go through the openings in the filter. Particles are also deposited on strands of the filter when they come in direct contact with one another. The filter efficiency increases as it fills with particles, until it reaches the point of saturation and begins to lose as many particles as it gains. The disposable filter's capacity is limited to larger particles.
Reusable foam or metal filters have slightly higher performance capabilities than disposable filters due to the use of oils and adhesives applied to the filter to cause the particles to adhere to them. They are washable and must be recoated after washing to obtain their efficiency for reuse. They are most effective on large particles.
Electrostatic filters have a means for electrically charging the filter or the entering particles, much like a magnet, to attract particles to the strands of the filter as well as collecting particles by straining.
Pleated filters are constructed of fiberglass or synthetic fibers woven into a more dense material. The filter is arranged in V-shaped forms to increase the area of the filter material without increasing the face area. This increases the particle holding capability.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters generally have an efficiency rating of 90% and above and are considered to be very effective at small particle removal. There are many models of portable HEPA filters intended for use in a room that are self-contained with their own air mover and electrical system.
Electronic Air Cleaners are highly efficient filters that use an electrical charge to remove and collect particulate matter such as dust, smoke, pollen, etc. The charged particles are then attracted to each other and forced to a series of alternately-charged metal plates where they are collected. These cells must be periodically cleaned with detergent and hot water to maintain the efficiency of the collection. Generally they are used with a pre-filter to remove the large particles before entering the cells. | 
