Ionizer

Question: How does a swimming pool salt ionizer work? A friend of mine has a "saltwater" swimming pool, it does not require the addition of any chlorine. Does anyone know how the chemistry of the ionizer works, ie how does it convert simple NaCl to hypochlorite? Is the chlorine level in this type of pool lower than a chlorinated pool? Is the level of Chlorine gas lower?

Answer: To start off with, chlorine is a salt. All that a salt water generator does is convert salt, by a form of electrolysis via a cell in the plumbing, into a low constant dose of chlorine gas that dissolves in the pool water to become sodium hypochlorite. The cell looks like the plates in a lead acid car battery. Water flows between the plates and an electric current passes between the plates. Gas forms on the plates and dissolves into the pool water return. Generally, yes, the chlorine is a little lower than in a traditionally chlorinated pool because it is constant dose. It doesn't have the spikes in levels. Often there's no need to even put the units into their 100% output or "shock" setting. By chlorine gas, I'm assuming you mean chloramines given off after chlorine has oxidized an organic. Well, there's no getting around that unless you go with a non chlorine sanitizer. That chlorine smell is actually chlorine after it's done it's job. The dirtier the pool organic wise, the greater the smell if chlorine is present. Think about that next time you visit a public pool. :)

Question: How do I check from broken ionizer wires in a air filter system? I have a Honeywell F52E air filter. It keeps arcing, and it is mentioned in the before you call for service, to check the cells for broken ionizer wires or bent plates. repair if necessary.

Answer: You will see the wires, just make sure they are connected at each end. If one end is loose or broken it will short out to ground and spark. Same thing if hair or debris are in between the ionizer wires and the grounding plates.

Question: ionizer is that bad to have running all the time? I have an air purifer and wondering if the ionizer is bad to have running all the time?

Answer: I have heard that it is especially if some one has ashma. It is supposed to used for a short period of time to freshen the air when you are not at home or for a short period to get rid of cooking or other smells when you are present.

Question: Why does my wall turn black from an air ionizer? I took down a picture and the wall is pure white behind it and the rest of the wall is darker gray. In other rooms where I don't has an ionizer the walls are the same colour behind a wall hanging picture.

Answer: The ionizer, as the name suggest, ionizes (charges) the dust particles in the air. The charged dust particles are attracted to the closest solid objects--in this case, the walls. This is how the ionizer 'cleans' the air. The better the ionizer, the more dirt on your walls (and, to some extent, your body). Ionizers also produce some ozone gas. The manufacturers usually claim they produce less than what the EPA permits: Consumer Reports's own testing suggests this is not always the case and at least once rewarded one make their infamous "NOT ACCEPTABLE" rating. The only way to stop this is to stop using ionizers. I never found an easy way to remove the dirt from the walls and ceiling. Definitely get worst off so the new paint does not stick to loose dirt. Then get a HEPA type air cleaner (if dust and particulates are the concern) or a air purifier (if gasses are also an issue)

Question: Which side is the ionizer and which is the collection plate on a whole house air cleaner? I took the filters out of the 2 whole house air cleaners to 2 hvac units so I could clean them and then couldn't remember which one went to which. The air first passes through the prefilter screens, then the ionizer and then the collection plate. Does anyone know if the collection plate is the side that looks like louvers or the tighter looking side? If it helps any, they are Trion HE 2000 plus electronic air cleaners.

Answer: Look for an arrow mark on the units that will indicate the direction of the air flow somewhere near the handle. This may help. Also note how the electrodes contact the units to see if the alignment this may also help. Look for cut marks on the housing. On my electrostatic air filter there are thin wires that act as the ionizer so with some careful observation you may notice differences.

Question: What is the white powder on my air ionizer? I have an ionic pro turbo air ionizer, and it has worked well for about 4 months. Suddenly it seems to be creating a white powder that accumulates on the inside of the unit, and it needs to be cleaned daily. Even after a thorough cleaning, the blades and inside of the unit will be covered in this white powder within a day or so. What is this powder? How can I keep it from accumulating?

Answer: Legionella really likes to grow on air conditioners. If that's the case you need to get it disinfected before everyone gets very sick at your house.

Question: is a Hepa Fliter Air Purifier or Ionizer be use low astma people? I am trying to decide what machine type be best for a low to medium astma person and also another person that is allergy to grass after it cut. Is a Hepa Filter Air Purifier the best one to get or a Ionizer. I was planning on getting a Hamilton Beach 04491 True-Air Tower Air Purifier or the Hamilton Beach Air Ionic just needed to know which one be the best. The person is a 5 year old.

Answer: Read all about the various types of air purifiers in the market at: http://www.sinusinfectionhelp.com/air_purifiers.html Then you do your own research and read up on reviews of the various products out there. Hope this helps. Cheers!

Question: How does an ionizer emit ions into the air? I understand the process of common houshold air filters using an ionizer to emit ions into a room to bond with particles in the air causing them to fall and no longer be in the air. But what mechanism (mechanial, elctromagnetic, etc.) is used to propell the ions into the room. Are different sizes of the device used for different sized rooms? Any other info would be interesting. I understand the process of common houshold air filters using an ionizer to emit ions into a room to bond with particles in the air causing them to fall and no longer be in the air. But what mechanism (mechanial, elctromagnetic, etc.) is used to propell the ions into the room. Are different sizes of the device used for different sized rooms? Any other info would be interesting. Thanks for the response. I'm not looking to remove any odors. I just use an room air filter that has an ionizer that doesn't require the fan to be in operation for it to work. It made me wonder how does an ionizer emit ions then.

Answer: Look up "corona wind". It's high voltage low current rush from a positive pole to a ground plane. The electrons move so fast, they moves air.

Question: What is the importance of air ionizer? I have an air purifier with a Ionizer on it and wondering if there are pros and cons of using the Ionizer. Thank you in advance.

Answer: The pros: 1. it captures small particles that would pass right through a filter, even a HEPA 2. it has no moving parts!! and so nothing to break or wear out 3. it makes the air smell sweet (ozone is what you smell in the air after lightening has struck) the cons: 1. the trap must be cleaned on occasion 2. in order to be effective, it should be placed about 6 feet off the ground (because ozone is heavier than air) 3. too much ozone can cause sore throats, so it is important to match the machine to your room size I love my ionizer, but I keep it on low. I found that I had a chronic sore throat when I ran it on high.

Question: Will running an ionizer effect a radon test reading? Does anyone know if running an ionizer in your home will effect, positively or negatively, a radon test reading?

Answer: It seems a positive ion generator works best. It affects the reading positively because it helps attach radon daughters to walls or dust in the air. I read somewhere that combined with a fan to move the air around it might help reduce the free radon in the air up to 95%. This sounds pretty good but keep in mind positive ions might not be that good for you. Negative ions which are good for you work too. I don't remember where I read this stuff, it was awhile back, but you can try this site: http://radon-solution.com/

Question: How does the Ionizer in a air cleaner work,what does the ionizing, when is it needed and what is it good for? If you are not having static electricity problems around the house do you still need to run it and why? Does it cost more electricity to run it? Thanks

Answer: Air Ionization FAQ's Q: Are air ionizers medical devices manufactured to cure specific diseases or ailments? A: NO, ionizers enhance the environment with healthy negative ions. The overall effects of air ionization will depend on the individual person. There are some physicians prescribing air ionization for use in combating allergies & sinusitis and other disorders, but they are not manufactured or marketed as medical devices. Q: Do all air ionization products emit ozone with the ionization? A: To a very small degree, yes. Pentex ionizers ozone levels are virtually undetectable compared to many competitors units that give off odors and cause headaches for the user. Q: Do air ionization products go through walls? A: No, regardless of how powerful the ionizer is, air ionization cannot go through walls. If a manufacturer or distributor claims their ionizers can go through walls, it is ozone that is going through the wall. You should investigate the ozone levels extensively before purchasing. Q: Is ozone harmful to people? A: Ozone can be explained as "natures cleaning agent". If the pollutants are high, it is necessary for the ozone levels to increase proportionally. The National Weather Service issues OZONE ALERTS for heavy smog or pollution in the air. Many ionizer manufacturers downplay the ozone levels in ionization. The OSHA laws set specific limits for exposures to ozone (.04 parts per million is unhealthy). Pentex ionizers emit levels of .01 parts per billion, virtually undetectable! Q: Can the Pentex / Wein VI-2500 be used in rooms smaller than 800 sq. ft.? A: Absolutely! The VI-2500 ionizer is specially designed to be used around sensitive electronic equipment without interfering with their operation. If you want the 450 trillion ions in a smaller room, the more negative ions the merrier. Q: How do Pentex ionizers compare to other ionizers such as the Sharper Image Quadra or the Silas machines? A: Studies have confirmed that the Pentex units can be up to ten times more effective than either of those other ionizers. Here is a link to one of those studies. Q: Is it harmful to keep the Pentex ionizers running all day or should they be unplugged when you are not home or at work with the unit? A: There is no such thing as too many negative ions when your health is concerned. There are no adverse side affects from negative ions! Pentex room ionizers cost just pennies a month to operate. Q: Can Pentex ionizers be purchased in major retail stores like Walmart or K-Mart? A: NO, Pentex ionizers are only available from approved Pentex distributors. The effective Quality Control program used by Pentex makes retail distribution illogical. Q: Am I going to need to stock up on filters or other parts just in case Pentex changes the product line? A: NO! Pentex room ionizers have no moving parts or filters to replace. Many other manufacturers of ionization products that use filters, intentionally change their products every few years, making already sold units obsolete. This causes a new demand for their sales department and an increase in expenditures for you as a customer. Q: Does Pentex have a commercial size ionization unit for large office buildings? A: No, the VI-2500 is the largest capacity ionizer available from Pentex. If you have large office areas, strategically placed room / environmental ionizers can effectively do a much better job of ionization than HVAC units with ionization components and for much less expense. For companies that cannot afford the expense of providing ionizers for every work area in your building, a suggestion could be implementing a cost-share program for those employees wishing to improve their work environment and health. The employee should feel better and be more productive, making the ionizer purchase a win-win situation for everyone. Please visit our collection of articles and testimonials for more information on the many benefits of using our products. Purchases can be made by check, money order or by credit card directly from our On-Line shopping cart, or from each product page. For more information contact Air Purification Systems Unionville, Va. 540-854-5633 email: [email protected] Site Design & Hosting by BMT Marketing ©2003

Question: How does an air ionizer work and how is it beneficial to me? I have lots of dust in my room that seems to move so freely. Will this help?

Answer: I hope I can explain this right even though I am just a student. I BELIEVE the method that is used is by capturing your room's air and use ultraviolet light to destroy chemical bonds in the air whether they are part of a bacteria or a piece of dust. When the bonds are broken they have ion characteristics and have poles (+ and - charge). Then 2 plates or rods inside the ionizer are charged by electricity to attract these free ions on to the rod. From seeing how people actually have to wipe the metals inside the ionizer once in a while, I believe that this is how the machine works. An ionizer is advertised to purify the air that it takes in. Anything that purifies uncirculated air in your house is good. Badly ventilated interiors cause respiratory problems like allergies and sicknesses. During winter people tend to close their windows completely cutting off the circulation of clean air. In reality they are breathing in back their dust and flatulence :P. The air is cleaner outside than a poorly ventilated house. Think of "Sick building" tags onto office buildings. This is why they need a air purifier that usually is on the side or above of a office building.

Question: How is OZONE emitted from portable air purifiers? Is it from the IONIZER that come on some? We own several pet birds and have heard ozone is bad for them. We heard ozone is sometimes emitted from these home air purifiers that we must use. Ours have a swtich to either use or NOT USE the ionizer. Can anyone tell us how ozone is generated and sent off into our air from Air Purifiers?

Answer: Only the ones that have a UV tube in them. Ionization does not produce ozone.

Question: What is better air filters of good quality, an ozone generator, or an ionizer for good healthy air? My friend just moved to an apartment and is concerned about off gassing and indoor air pollution; we are in a friendly debate as to what strategy [or combination approaches] is best to address her concerns. Neither of us are engineers or technical. I know there are plants [and I have that list] that help clean and purify indoor air. Also the natural allergens in our geographical area are generally high.

Answer: Real simple. Ozone generators create ozone,... "go figure" and create large doses of O3 to clean the air which you do not want. Basically O3 is great in the upper atmosphere but it is horrible down low due to its destructive nature. Ionizers also produce a small amout of ozone but it is very minimal and not even close to the amount produced by ozone generators. They come as an option on a lot of HEPA units and will help with the smell but generally are not needed. HEPA air filters are by far the best thing you can get but you'll want to search for a good brand with low cost filter replacements. Indoor plants are also great along with opening the windows, (if the outside air isn't that bad). Personally I have some nasty allergies that drive me nuts. I picked up a used 800 square foot ALAN HEPA air filter on ebay last year for $150 bucks and have been very happy wih it. It has a 98-99% efficiency rating and the filters are about 50 bucks a piece. I don't like recommending any brands so do some searches online on your own and see what you like. Good luck,... hope this helps. Sources: Allergy sufferer and Mechanical Engineer by trade.

Question: what does the Ionizer feature on my HEPA air purifier do? and what HEPA purifiers are best bang for the buck? seems like $99 Hunter Permalife i found at Lowe's is nice....they have the best price on cut-to-fit prefilters as well.

Answer: it might not be that good, you ever noticed sticky dust that is hard to wipe off? that's what you create when you use those ionizers from EPA website: Possible Effects of Particle Charging Another factor with respect to ion generators, particularly those that do not trap some of the charged particles, is the effect of particle charging on deposition in the respiratory tract. Experiments have shown a linear increase in particle deposition with charge; therefore, the use of ion generators may not reduce the dose of particles to the lung8. Soiling of Walls and Other Surfaces Ion generators are generally designed not to remove particles from the air but to deposit them on surfaces around the room. This results in soiling of walls and other surfaces, especially if the particles charged by the apparatus are not collected on a filter

Question: What damage can exposing yourself 5 hours to an ionizer do? This is the type hotels use for...? ...odors. I complained about the cigarette smell in my hotel room. The clerk gave me an ionizer to use without warning me to not be present while in use. I slept with it on for 5 hours and the mgr. was very alarmed when I called to change rooms again at 2 am when he heard it running in the background. He then gave me a room that did not smell. Should I be worried about the exposure to it blowing directly on me for 5 hours?

Answer: There is nothing to fear from an air ionizer. It uses an electric field to try to remove some particles from the air. They're actually not terribly effective at that. The main problem with air ionizers isn't that they're dangerous, but that they don't do much of anything at all. People have suggested that negative ions have various magic healing properties. They don't do this, either. Most if the ions lose any charge right outside of the machine. Those few that do make it all the way to you are promptly de-ionized in contact with your body, which doesn't even notice.