To remove various air pollutants and minimize their negative impact on the respiratory system, air conditioners are equipped with a wide variety of filters. It is not necessary to choose the most expensive model of climatic devices in order to pursue the highest standards of air purification. It is enough to estimate the expected conditions of split-system operation taking into account a specific type of contaminants subject to priority treatment. For example, for residential spaces it will be relevant to filter air from dust and pet hair, in rooms with high humidity — from mold spores, and in hazardous industries — from toxic substances.

The basic segment of air filtration systems in air conditioners is opened by the first stage — coarse filters:

First stage — coarse filters

Mesh filters for mechanical air purification are found in the vast majority of home and office split-systems. They stop the largest debris particles, thus preventing contamination of the internal parts in the interior structure of the device (heat exchanger, drainage system, fan, etc.). Their primary task is to prevent sudden equipment breakdowns, and only then comes basic air purification from large suspended dust particles.

Air conditioner mesh filters are easy to clean by hand.

The coarse filters are installed behind the air intake grille of the indoor unit of the air conditioner. As a rule, they catch pollutants with the size over 2 microns. To maintain proper operation of the split-system, mechanical filters should be periodically cleaned from accumulated dirt. This can be done manually; in most cases, it is also possible to wash the mesh filters with running tap water.

Fine air purification

The fine purification of the flowing air masses is successfully performed by medium-class air conditioners and higher class models. Fine air purification filters operate at the microscopic level, stopping small particles of dust, fungal spores, pollen, and pathogenic microorganisms. The specific effectiveness of such devices may vary; in each case it should be clarified separately.

The service life of fine filters is determined by the proximity of the home or office to roads, the environmental situation in the area and other related factors. On average, they need to be changed every 4-6 months.

Separately in this category of air purification systems are HEPA filters, the operation of which is based on the use of microscopic channels of a special shape, with characteristic pockets and branches. Relatively large particles of contaminants get stuck in the filter channels, and small ones, by inertia, fall into pockets and remain there. HEPA filters leave virtually no chance for dust, bacteria and microorganisms. Seasonal allergy sufferers will also rate them a solid “A”.

Air conditioners with HEPA filter

Plasma (electrostatic) filters

The principle of operation of plasma filters in air conditioners is based on the energy of the electric field. These filtration systems are usually made up of several special plates to which power is applied. In the generated electric field with a voltage of about 4800 V, all viruses and pathogenic bacteria die, and dust particles under the influence of ionized air acquire a charge and are literally magnetized to the opposite-polar plates of the charged filter.

One of the types of plasma ionizers in air conditioners is the Cold Plasma filter.

Electrostatic filters also work as an air ionization system, even if a full-fledged ionizer is not provided in the design of the air conditioner. For this property they are often called plasma ionizers.

Air conditioners with plasma filter

Catechin filters

The highlight of catechin filters is a natural disinfectant extracted from tea tree leaves. Catechin is a natural antiseptic that confidently neutralizes pathogenic microbes, destroys many viruses and generally makes the air healthier.

Structurally, catechin filters have a complex porous structure impregnated with a disinfectant. Their habitat is mid-level and high-grade home-office split systems.

Catalytic filters

Zeolite filters or photocatalysts provide a good bactericidal effect and remove harmful impurities and unpleasant odors from the air. They operate using a special photocatalyst substance and UV radiation. Under the influence of ultraviolet light, the catalyst breaks down incoming organic matter into water and carbon dioxide. Then the reaction products freely evaporate outside.

Catalytic filters operate using a special photocatalyst substance and UV radiation.

Self-recovery of catalytic filters occurs in sunlight. When clogged, it is enough to place such a filter in a well-lit place for literally a few hours. If these simple handling rules are followed, the service life of photocatalytic air purification systems reaches 3-5 years.

Antibacterial filters

Filtration elements treated with antibacterial substances destroy viruses, pathogenic microorganisms and fungal spores. The bacteria are killed by them in several different ways: by destroying the protein shell of bacteria, by UV light acting on micro-organisms, etc. The specific implementation of antibacterial filters varies depending on the manufacturer of climate control equipment and the specific air conditioner model.

Filters with an antibacterial effect not only purify the air being passed through, but also prevent the growth of viruses and bacteria. Many of them have a self-cleaning function, which extends the service life of such filter elements.

Air conditioners with antibacterial filter

Deodorizing filters

Deodorizing filters with adsorbents based on activated carbon are installed to help eliminate unpleasant odors and tobacco smoke. They act literally at the molecular level, allowing ordinary air to pass through and absorbing molecules of substances that create unpleasant odors. Structurally, such filters are a circuit filled with activated carbon or a similar type of material.

Deodorizing carbon filters for air conditioners require periodic replacement.

Filters with a deodorizing effect must be changed periodically — when their resource is exhausted, they become useless and even emit harmful substances themselves. The specific service life of filters is usually specified in the technical documentation for the air conditioner.

Formaldehyde filters

New furniture made from chipboard and MDF emit volatile organic compounds. Also immediately after renovation, plastic windows and some types of floor coverings can become a source of such harmful substances. Formaldehyde filters purify the air from harmful organic substances. Most often, they rely on the so-called cryocatalytic element — the catalyst decomposes organic matter into simple harmless components in it, restoring the original properties due to the cold when the air conditioner is operating for cooling.

Split systems with a formaldehyde air filtration system will suit newly renovated apartments or offices. At the same time, they will be useful near industrial enterprises with harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Formaldehyde filters remove ammonia, benzene, hydrogen sulfide and other volatile substances from the air.

Broad spectrum filtration systems

A popular trend in the climate control industry is the introduction of broad-spectrum filtration systems into home air conditioners. Combining several of the above-mentioned options, multi-component combo filters purify the air from dust and small debris, kill viruses and bacteria, eliminate unpleasant odors, etc. There is no single generally accepted rule in the principles of creating total air filtration systems, so manufacturers of climate control equipment produce such filters in their own way.

In Ballu air conditioners, multi-component filters are called Combo. They stop the smallest particles of debris, eliminate odors, fill the house with a pleasant aroma and saturate the air with beneficial vitamin C.

The combo filtration system in Ballu air conditioners saturates the air with vitamin C at the final stage of air purification.

The CH 7-SKY integrated air purification system is used in Cooper&Hunter split systems. Seven-component filters of the same name cope with almost all known contaminants. Such systems consist of a filter with silver ions, a filter against dust mites, a chitin antimicrobial filter element, catechin and formaldehyde filters, an element for saturating the air with vitamin C, and an electrostatic air-purifying filter.

The highlight of many Cooper&Hunter split systems is the seven-stage Ch 7-SKY total air purification system.

Other brands of climate control equipment produce their own broad-spectrum filtration systems.

What are the benefits of a built-in air ionizer?

It has been scientifically proven that ionized air has a beneficial effect on human well-being. In addition, the negatively charged particles provide a feeling of freshness and have a strong bactericidal effect. An increase in the number of negatively charged ions in the air can cheer up and improve the mood of family members or office workers.

Clean ionized air is recommended for children, pregnant women, people with chronic respiratory diseases, allergies and asthmatics. Separately, anti-allergenic filters are produced for people suffering from seasonal allergies. Air conditioners with a built-in ionizer are especially popular among residents of densely populated cities, where air quality is poor.

Air conditioners with air ionizer

UV lamp for disinfection

The well-known blue lamps can be found in almost every hospital or clinic, where they are used to sterilize rooms. The technology has stepped into the world with the development of climate appliances. The UV lamp in air conditioners has a negative effect on known viruses, strains of influenza and infections, and pathogenic bacteria, disinfecting the air being circulated with an efficiency of over 90%.

A UV lamp in advanced air conditioners is used to effectively disinfect the air being circulated.

Powerful ultraviolet radiation prevents the growth of bacteria and the formation of mold on the internal surfaces of the indoor air conditioner unit, fights viruses and microorganisms in the room. In this case, there is absolutely no negative impact on humans.

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Air purification systems in air conditioners play an important role. High requirements to the quality of inhaled air prompted manufacturers of climatic devices to introduce in practice new filtration technologies, which improve with each subsequent generation of split-systems. Clean air is a guarantee of health, energy and well-being!