Air quality of air conditioning systems
TOSHIBA room air conditioners and the air
Depending on the design and area of use, TOSHIBA room air conditioners clean the air in several steps, ensuring at the same time that the delivered cooled air is not only clean, but also blown out odorlessly. Various filter systems are used depending on the model and optimize the air quality.
Self-cleaning function
After operation has ended, the fan continues running for a few minutes and therefore dries the heat exchanger in the indoor unit – meaning unpleasant odors don't stand a chance. Indoor units for the home impress with another (practically passive) cleaning function: special profiles and coatings on the fins in the heat exchanger enable adhering impurities that have been filtered out of the air to be washed off using the condensate produced in cooling mode – a clever and hygienic solution.
TOSHIBA systems work to ensure healthy surroundings, including in areas you wouldn't normally expect – for example, anti-bacterial glass in the drain pumps integrated in some indoor units. This gives off silver ions which block bacteria metabolism, interrupts their division mechanism, and ultimately lets them die. The effect is permanent, meaning the system is maintenance-free.
Dust filter
Large, washable plastic filters cover the entire heat exchanger and purify the air when coarse impurities and dust particles enter.
IAQ filter
TOSHIBA's IAQ filter purifies the air you breathe with silver and enzymes that are extracted from kimchi. It has a deodorizing effect, freshening the air and contributing towards maintaining good health and neutralizing viruses and bacteria. This filter can be simply removed and cleaned – ideally with a vacuum cleaner. The IAQ filter should be replaced approximately every two years.
3:1 filter
Active carbon-catechin filters purify the air in two ways: Carbon has a deodorizing effect, while the catechin has a purifying effect against dust and other particles.
Plasma filter and ionizer
These highly specialized filters operate in TOSHIBA's top-class indoor units for the home sector – the DAISEIKAI models. The plasma filter with ionizer absorbs and neutralizes particles smaller than 0.001 μm, such as fine dust, pollen, mold spores, and viruses. Silver ions which are also produced have a strong anti-bacterial effect as proven by Hippocrates. For example, it was used by the Phoenicians to extend the shelf life of food. This efficient electrical filter system can be activated at a press of a button using the remote control and has three stages:
- An ion charger positively charges impurities in the dawn-in ambient air behind the dust filter.
- Negatively charged ions in the collector attract larger positively charged pollutants.
- The remaining particles are collected by the positive charge in the second collector. Finally, the neutralized particles absorbed on the specially coated heat exchanger are washed away together with the condensate.
Even the plasma filter itself can be cleaned – and after approx. 1,000 operating hours, the unit should be switched off and de-energized so that the filter can be removed and cleaned with hot water.
In the case of air conditioning systems for the commercial sector, there are often particular requirements of filter systems, for example in the medical sector (hygiene regulation), in measurement rooms, or in industrial cleanroom production. If specific EN filter classes need to be met to comply with specific regulations, this can be achieved with ease using duct units with external filter boxes.
