How Do Extended Surface Media Air Purifiers Compare to Electronic Air Cleaners?

(How does the NovusAer air purifier compare to systems like Carrier Infinity, Aprilaire 5000, Trion HE, Trane Clean Effects, American Standard AccuClean, and Honeywell F300?)

By Dan Dearden, CAFSCertified Air Filter Specialist

Electronic Air Cleaners (EACs)

Electronic Air Cleaners—often called EACs—have been around since the 1940s. They were originally known as electrostatic air precipitators. Early versions were very large—sometimes even bigger than the furnaces they were attached to.

1940's EAC

EACs are true air purifiers in the literal sense of the word. They remove particles from the air using electricity rather than traditional filter media.

Here’s how they work:

As air passes through the system, particles are electrically charged by a high-voltage corona field created by wires or needles carrying 6,000–10,000 volts of DC electricity. Once charged, those particles move into a collection chamber containing metal plates that are alternately positively and negatively charged with 4,000–6,000 volts DC.

Negatively charged particles stick to positively charged plates, and positively charged particles stick to negatively charged plates. Over time, these plates collect dirt, dust, and other contaminants and must be washed clean to maintain performance. To stay effective, most EAC collector plates need to be cleaned every 2–4 weeks.

EAC Pros

• Proven, long-standing technology

• Washable, reusable collector plates

• Low pressure drop (minimal airflow resistance)

• Can capture up to 90% of PM2.5 particles

EAC Cons

• Require frequent cleaning (every 2–4 weeks) to remain effective

• Not required to be rated under the MERV system, making performance claims harder to verify

• Some high-performance models are not washable and instead use disposable media filters that must be replaced about every 6 months

• Some EACs produce ozone, which can be a concern for indoor air quality

Extended Surface Media Air Purifiers

Extended surface media air filters—like those used in NovusAer systems—were introduced in the 1950s. They clean the air using a different approach: high-efficiency fiber filtration.

As air passes through layers of tightly woven filter media, particles are physically captured and held within the filter. This method is simple, reliable, and widely used in both residential and commercial applications.

Extended Surface Media Air Purifier Pros

• Proven, time-tested technology

• Low-maintenance filters that can last up to 3 years

• Low pressure drop (minimal airflow resistance)

• Can capture up to 100% of PM2.5 particles

• Rated using the ASHRAE MERV system, providing known and verifiable efficiency

• Ozone-free

Extended Surface Media Air Purifier Cons

• Filters are not washable and must be replaced when they reach the end of their service life

Side-by-Side Comparison

To make comparisons easier, we’ve created tables that show how major electronic air cleaners compare directly with the NovusAer extended surface media air purifier—looking at efficiency, maintenance, filter life, airflow resistance, and overall performance.

Aprilaire 5000 Vs NovusAer

Carrier Infinity Vs NovusAer:

Honeywell EAC F300 Vs NovusAer:

Trane Clean Effects (also sold as American Standard Accuclean) Vs NovusAer:

Trion HE EAD Vs NovusAer:

Conclusion:

At the end of the day, both extended surface media air purifiers and electronic air cleaners are designed to make your home’s air cleaner—but they go about it in very different ways. Extended surface media systems take a simple, proven approach by physically trapping particles in a deep, high-efficiency filter, with no ozone concerns and very little maintenance over time. Electronic air cleaners rely on an electrical charge to capture contaminants, which can work well but typically require more frequent cleaning and closer attention. Understanding these differences makes it much easier to choose the system that fits your home, your lifestyle, and how much time you want to spend maintaining it—all in service of breathing cleaner, healthier air every day.