York Electronic Air Cleaners Technical Guide

Independent Lab Comparison of Electronic Air Cleaners

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Johnson Controls, Inc.
Unitary Product Group
P.O. Box 19014
Wichita, KS 67204-9014

March 2008

Clearing the Performance Confusion of

Electronic Air Cleaners

A Technical White Paper

1.0 Conclusion:

The independent testing by LMS Technologies has concluded that when considering all
the important factors regarding an air cleaner purchase decision; air cleaning
performance, airflow resistance and maintenance, the York Affinity Hybrid EAC provides
the best value.

• Particle Removal Efficiency: The York Affinity Hybrid EAC offers the best air-

cleaning performance. Though the Trane CleanEffects model has higher
performance right out of the box, the CleanEffects quickly loads with particulate
and after two months has lower performance than all other models. The Affinity
EAC provides the best cleaning performance over time.

• Airflow Resistance: The York Affinity Hybrid EAC has the lowest resistance to

airflow – saving the homeowner energy and minimizing the impact of the air
cleaner on the HVAC equipment.

• Serviceability: The York Affinity Hybrid EAC has the longest service life,

requiring less maintenance than other models.

• Dust Holding Capacity: Construction of the media used in this type of air

cleaner can significantly affect the amount of dust it can hold. The Carrier air
cleaners tested during this project was able to hold only 80% of the amount of
dust required to reach the same final pressure of 0.3” w.c. as the York Affinity
Hybrid EAC. At final pressures above 0.3” w.c., the same air cleaner was able to
hold only 68% of the amount the York Affinity Hybrid EAC was able to hold even
though each air cleaner had the same amount of media.

Initial Particle Removal

Efficiency at Various

York Affinity
Carrier Infinity

Particle Size Ranges

Smoke

& small

bacteria

Bacteria

& small

spores

Pollen &

spores

92.00% 95.70% 97.80%

87.60% 94.50% 97.70% 90.90% 96.00% 98.80% 0.16 8

Trane CleanEffects 95.20% 99.10% 99.80%
Honeywell F300

84.40% 94.40% 97.80% 84.30% 93.20% 96.60% 0.18 6

Green = Best in Class
Red = Worst in Class

6-Month Particle Removal

Efficiency in Various
Particle Size Ranges

Smoke

& small

bacteria

Bacteria

& small

spores

Pollen &

spores

Airflow

Resistance

at 450 fpm

("w.c)

Service

Life

(months)

94.60% 98.10% 99.90% 0.13 12

67.70% 59.70% 45.50% 0.25 6

2.0 Introduction
The increased need for indoor air quality: According to the EPA, the lack of air

movement through today’s newer, more air-tight homes can lead to a buildup of toxic
pollutants that can have concentrations up to a hundred times greater inside a home
than outside.

The increased awareness of whole-home air cleaners: More allergy sufferers are

seeking remedies and many doctors are recommending whole-home air cleaners as a
solution. More homeowners are looking for ways to help keep their house cleaner and
protect expensive HVAC equipment. The HVAC industry is actively promoting the
benefits of whole-home filtration.

Types of whole-home air cleaners: There are two primary types of whole-home air

cleaners; electronic and media air cleaners. Media air cleaners capture particles as the
air flows through a woven media. Electronic air cleaners (EACs) utilize electricity to
charge particles as they pass through the air cleaner. The charged particles are then
trapped on collector plates. EACs by design are more capable of capturing smaller
particles like smoke and small bacteria than media air cleaners. People with acute
medical needs that call for an air cleaner will typically realize greater health benefits with
an EAC. Some EACs also include a media filter to help increase their performance.

The confusing claims of manufacturers: The increased demand for EACs has

brought about an increase in the number of models available for the homeowner to
choose from. Many manufacturers have created new ways to test and report air cleaner
performance to best suit their own results, allowing each to claim they have the best
performing air cleaner on the market. All this activity has created a great deal of
confusion for the homeowner seeking the best air cleaner available.

3.0 Independent Laboratory Testing

In order to clarify the performance and value of today’s EACs, LMS Technologies, a
leading independent test laboratory, has completed a comprehensive and entirely
unbiased test of the leading EACs in the industry.

3.1 Testing Lab:

LMS Technologies Inc. of Bloomington MN is an independent laboratory and global
leader of particulate air filtration testing. LMS also performs contamination testing for the
food, drug and semiconductor industry.

3.2 Test Methodology:

LMS independently obtained samples of 4 leading EACs from the open market to

ensure a random selection. LMS also selected sizes of each that provided the most

consistent comparison:

• Trane CleanEffects

• York Affinity

• Honeywell F300

• Carrier Infinity