Your electronic air cleaner can remove 95 percent of airborne pollutants from your home's air, allowing you and your family to breathe clean air throughout your home. To ensure that your air cleaner provides healthy air throughout the year, keep up with simple seasonal maintenance.
The collector plates of your electronic air cleaner get dirty because they're faithfully collecting dust particles and other harmful allergens that travel through your home's indoor air. Collector plates need cleaning on a regular basis, as dirty plates create unhealthy indoor air quality and cause your air cleaner to run less efficiently.
Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your collector plates seasonally, or every three months. Of course, your cleaning schedule can depend on the number of family members, pets and other household activities, such as smoking.
As part of preparing to clean your collector plates, always read the owner's manual. Most manufacturers advise following these steps to clean your collector plates.
- Submerge collector plates in warm water mixed with a low-sudsing detergent. Let the plates soak for about 30 minutes. If the plates are extremely dirty, soak for an hour.
- Wipe the ionizing wires with a soft damp cloth, and beware of the sharp edges.
- Take the plates out of the water mixture and rinse with clean warm water.
- Allow the collector plates to air dry, which usually takes about two hours. To allow water to run off, slightly tilt the plates at an angle.
- Once the plates are dry, place them back in the air cleaner and align the airflow markers with the airflow through the unit. The arrows should point at the blower motor or air handler.
For more information about cleaning your electronic air cleaner or for answers to any other home comfort questions, contact Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today. We've proudly served the residents in the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts for more than 80 years.
Image via Shutterstock.com