Ionic air purifier and ionizer

An ionic air purifier, also known as electrostatic or electronic air cleaner, is commonly used to clean indoor air in homes from dust, allergens, and tobacco smoke. It can also help to remove certain industrial pollutants such as welding smoke.

An ionic air cleaner works via two essential stages. First the indoor air is ionized in a wire-plate section of the purifier. Then the charged particles are attracted by static electricity and trapped in a plate-to-plate collection system (electrostatic air filtration). The first section, the air ionizer, can use either positive or negative ionization. Positive discharge is more common as it is then easier to reduce ozone generation.

You can also find just an air ionizer, a generator of negative ions in the air. Though typically sold as an indoor air purifier, the air purification is not its most important or strong feature. What matters is that it enriches the indoor air with negative ions, which have good physiological and psychological effects. There are large concentrations of negative ions near waterfalls, rivers, forests, and they help to improve physical and mental performance.

Positive ions have negative effects, especially for some sensitive people. The symptoms may include migraine headaches, limb swelling, hart palpitations, and asthma. Positive ions can also be generated under certain weather conditions, such as dry warm dusty winds (the "Witches' Winds"), and those ions is one of the factors behind weather sensitivity of people.

An ionic air purifier can work as a stand along unit, one per room. There are also centralized whole house electrostatic air cleaners that can be installed in the heating and air condition paths. Stand alone ionic air purifiers work better in enclosed spaces, where there is not too much air flow, as otherwise the charged particles just flow with the air, rather then get trapped in the purifier. Well, if you have strong enough air flow (ventilation) you probably do not need such kind of an air cleaner in the first place.

Like HEPA filters, and unlike an activated carbon air filters, by the way they works, the electronic air cleaners trap various particles, but not any harmful gases, such as carbon monoxide, radon, formaldehyde, or others. For a typical indoor ionic air purifier, the efficiency of particle removal can often be lower than for HEPA filters.

Compared to HEPA filters, the ionizer air purifiers do not involve the cost of replacement filters, and they can be quieter. Yet, they need cleaning. A dirty ionizer can rapidly loose its effectiveness. How hard it is to clean the electrostatic air purifier plates depends on the way the ionizer build and the materials used.

Ionic air purifier rating and comparison tips
How to compare air purifiers to choose the best air purifier for your needs and budget. What to search for in air purifier reviews.