Fans today come with all kinds of extras. For example, some have timers, some can function as space heaters, and some can help clean the air.
Ionizers discharge negatively-charged molecules into the air that attract and latch onto pollutants, which are generally positively charged. The pollutants are too heavy to stay in the air and, as a result, fall to the ground. Then, you can vacuum them up.
But do ionizers work? This article will answer that question, plus give you a few extra tips about them so you can decide whether one is right for your home.
In This Article We'll Discuss
Do Ion Fans Really Work?
Ion fans, better known as ionizers, have a small generator attached to them that emits negatively-charged ions. The ions attract positively-charged pollutants like dust. Then, the two cling to each other and fall from the air.
That is the idea behind an ionizer. But, the question is, do they actually work?
The answer is a little bit yes and a little bit no. They are pretty effective at removing allergens like dust and pet dander from the air. They can also eliminate mold spores and smoke particles. In addition, they can get rid of some bacteria.
They work best when attached to a fan that also includes a HEPA filter. Research shows that a fan with a HEPA filter and an ionizer is up to 40 percent more efficient in removing pollutants from the air.
There are a couple of drawbacks, however.
The first is that ionizers remove pollutants from the air by depositing them on whatever is beneath them. So, that means extra dusty floors and tables, especially around the fan unit, where the ionizer is most effective. That will require more cleaning.
Some ionizer units come with an electrostatic plate to attract the dust as it falls. These will help reduce the amount of extra cleaning you need to do in the room. But, you’ll need to regularly clean the plates with a damp rag.
Failing to regularly clean electrostatic plates will cause your ionizer’s performance to decline.
The other major drawback is range. Negative ions have a relatively short lifespan and your ionizer will only clean the air it comes into contact with. Make sure you get an ionizer that can reach every part of your room for the most effective cleaning.
Are Ionizing Fans Bad for you?
Since ionizers use technology that is unfamiliar to most of us and, since, they put something into the air we don’t see, it’s reasonable to ask whether it’s safe for use in your home. If you have children or small pets, your concerns are especially legitimate.
We should clear up a common misconception, which is that ionizers and ozone generators are the same thing. They aren’t. Ozone and negative ions are different things.
Both do work from the same basic principle, which is that they emit something into the air that removes pollutants and cleans the air in your home.
Ozone generators produce an unstable gas made up of molecules of three oxygen atoms. The extra atom of oxygen will cling to pollutants in the air. It’s effective in killing bacteria and eliminating nasty odors.
Ionizers, however, produce negatively-charged particles which are attracted to positively-charged particles associated with pollutants. They bind to those particles and then they both fall from the air.
Ozone can cause health problems, especially for people with respiratory problems. Also, it can kill pets and other animals if they are exposed to high concentrations of ozone.
Ionizers, on the other hand, are safe for use in the home. You wouldn’t want to spend time in the same room you’re running an ozone generator in, but it’s okay to do so with an ionizer.
In addition, cleaner air is better for your health.
Do Ionizers Cool the Air?
Unless they are attached to an air conditioning unit, fans don’t cool the air. That includes ionizers.
Instead, ionizer fans create a breeze that will lift perspiration and warm air off your body, leaving you surrounded by cooler air. Your body will radiate heat into this cooler air, which leaves you feeling a little cooler.
The principle behind this is a form of physics called thermodynamics. A basic theory of thermodynamics is that heat will constantly move from warmer to cooler. So, your body will naturally attempt to shed heat.
Of course, a fan will only cool you down if the air around you is cooler than your body. So, you might not want to turn on a fan if the temperature is over 100 because you’re just wasting money.
What does the Ion Button on a Lasko Fan Do?
If you’ve recently purchased a Lasko fan and have seen an “ION” button on it, you might be wondering what it does.
The answer is pretty boring, but your lungs will like it. The “ION” button on a Lasko fan turns on the unit’s ionizer unit.
The ionizer unit generates negatively-charged particles that will bind to pollutants so they fall from the air. You’ll need to do a little extra cleaning, but the air will be better to breathe.
Ionizers are safe to use and help keep you and your family healthy.
Conclusion
An ionizer is a small generator attached to a fan that produces negatively-charged particles. These particles then attract and bind to positively-charged particles associated with all kinds of air pollutants. They are an effective, safe way to make the air in your home safer to breathe.
They do have their limitations in terms of range and extra cleaning. Proper maintenance will help you continue to get peak performance from your ionizer.
We hope you found value in this article. If you did, we’d love to hear about it in a comment. We’d also love to hear about your experience with ionizers.