The "Hands Down" Winner in a Head to Head Comparison

There are three existing classes of products which are capable of removing RSPs to some degree and are suitable for residential, commercial and institutional air treatment:

1. Medium-efficiency static media filters and

2. Conventional wire and plate electronic air cleaners.

3. MERV-13 and above rated media filters.

The medium-efficiency static media filters, while easy to install, require replacement every 3 months, and are only partially effective in removing RSP. Wire and plate electronic filters are initially effective, but their performance rapidly degrades over a short time due to the formation of a silicon dioxide deposits on the wires, which renders the units ineffective. They also produce harmful ozone during their operation. These devices must be removed, washed every 30 days and the wires scraped clean. Since these devices are large, heavy and installed in the ducting upstream of the furnace, removing and washing them is difficult and often not performed. In practice, most are ineffective at cleaning the air.  High MERV rated media filters capture small particles, but the same technology that allows them to capture small particles also leads to restricted airflow, which increases static pressure, leading to unnecessary wear and tear on HVAC components and higher energy consumption and operating costs.