When it was introduced five years ago, industry test data proved that the Aprilaire Model 5000 Electronic Air Cleaner was one of the best-performing whole-home air cleaners on the market. Now, for the third year in a row, a major consumer ratings magazine has confirmed its standing in the October 2005 issue.

“Through its own testing methods, this well-recognized consumer publication ranked the Aprilaire Electronic Air Cleaner the top whole-home air cleaner overall,” said Jon Paulos, Product Manager for Aprilaire. “This further backs industry data proving the Aprilaire Electronic Air Cleaner’s breakthrough performance against everything from common indoor air quality problems, like smoke and dust to more complex concerns, such as allergens, bacteria and viruses.”

In standard industry tests, the Aprilaire Model 5000 achieves 94 percent efficiency against airborne particles as small as 0.35 microns, which includes tobacco smoke, viruses, bacteria, and respirable dust. That compares with just 72 percent efficiency for plate-type electronic air cleaners, which previously had been considered the benchmark.

The Aprilaire Model 5000 reaches this high efficiency level by combining the best characteristics of the two most popular types of high efficiency residential air cleaners – electronic and micro-fiber pleated media. It gives airborne particles a powerful positive electronic charge and then captures them on a negatively grounded micro-fiber air cleaner media. In essence, particles are attracted to the media like metal filings to a magnet.

“Consumers today are more demanding when it comes to the quality of their indoor air,” said Paulos. “They can feel extra confident knowing that this independent, consumer-oriented ranking further validates what industry tests already have shown.”