What percentage of air particulates can a typical electronic air cleaner trap?

A typical electronic air cleaner is designed to efficiently capture a high percentage of airborne particulates, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. The effectiveness of these devices comes from their ability to use electrostatic attraction to charge particles in the air, allowing them to be drawn into the collection plates or filters within the cleaner.

While some electronic air cleaners might claim high efficiencies, a well-functioning electronic air cleaner commonly traps about 90-95% of particulates rather than achieving a capture rate of 95-100%. Factors such as the size of the particles, the design of the air cleaner, and maintenance practices affect the overall efficiency.

In practice, consumers can expect a range of 90-95% efficiency for many high-quality models, making it crucial to maintain and regularly clean or replace filters to maintain optimal performance. While very few systems may approach near-total capture in ideal conditions, the claim of 100% efficiency is not commonly supported within the typical operational parameters of most electronic air cleaners. Therefore, while high efficiency is a selling point, the more realistic capture rates reflect the challenges inherent in completely eliminating all airborne particulates.