Are the new “allergy” filters really as good as they claim. And, will they harm my system?

  The New Trane CleanEffects Filter really works.  It removes up to 99.98% of the allergens from the filtered air.  This is an ideal system for allergy and asthma sufferers.

Electrostatic filters and other “miracle filters”, even popular 1” pleated filters should be used cautiously, if at all. Often, they will not permit the recommended airflow through them.  In low airflow situations several things will occur:
a. Greatly increased operating costs
b. Reduced capacity
c. Increased stress on your compressor
d. Sweating of supply grilles promoting rusting and mold growth.
This last item, mold growth, seems ironic since one of the claimed benefits of these filters is the removal of mold spores. Available literature is “Finding Fault with Electrostatic Filters” and Trane Air Conditioning’s Technical Service Bulletin: “Self Charging Electrostatic Air Filters/Air Cleaners”.  Most manufacturers of air conditioners offer optional high efficiency filters but none recommend electrostatic filters.