Indoor Air Quality

Dust, smoke, odors and certain viruses and bacteria all can be suspended in the air you breathe, even when you don’t see them. iWave and NuShield Air Ionization Systems install in your air conditioning system, helping to clean the air in your living space.

Ionization Advantage

iWave® and NuShield® bring a new, advanced air cleaning technology to the HVACR market. This patented technology, called needlepoint bipolar ionization, uses carbon fiber brushes to produce a refined electrical charge to clean the air in residential and commercial buildings. This approach produces positive and negative ions that help reduce certain viruses and bacteria. Nu-Calgon Air Ionization Systems also helps reduce particles, smoke, odors and VOCs in the air. The devices are OEM approved and can be installed in most air conditioning or heating systems.

How bipolar ionization works

Nu-Calgon Air Ionization Systems are bipolar, meaning they use two emitters to create positive and negative ions. When these ions are introduced into the air stream, they help reduce certain VOCs, pollutants and airborne gases. The emitted ions will also help reduce certain viruses and bacteria. The ions also attach to dust and other airborne particles, causing them to band together and become larger and more easily captured by the HVAC system’s air filters.
iWave’s and NuShield’s technology generates the same ions that nature creates with lightning, waterfalls, ocean waves, etc. The difference between this technology and other forms of ionization is that iWave and NuShield do it without generating unsafe levels of ozone.

How is ionization different?

Unlike bipolar ionization, Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO) technology uses UV light, commonly with titanium dioxide (TiO2) and often with other alloys, to create ionization. ASHRAE issued a position document in January 2015 on Filtration and Air Cleaning where they cautioned UV lamps used in many PCO devices can emit significant ozone – known to be harmful for human health. They also observed and reported on page 9 of the document “…potential of an incomplete oxidizing process, which produces by-products of reaction that can be more toxic or harmful than the original constituents (i.e. formaldehyde). The catalysts can be contaminated (poisoned) by airborne reagents and/or products of oxidation, which results in reduced or total efficiency failure of the process.” Lastly, the PCO approach requires the replacement of the UV cell every year or two. Bipolar ionization requires no replacement parts, and on the self-cleaning models, they are maintenance free for the life of the device.

What is Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization technology?

NBPI is an artificial generation of both positive and negative ions through needlepoints that treats the air in the breathing space.

How long do ions last in the air?

Typically, small ions have a life expectancy of up to 60 seconds before they touch a surface or particulate to discharge.

Do iWave or NuShield air ionizers affect SARS-CoV-2 (virus leading to COVID-19)?

iWave and NuShield Air Ionization Systems have been tested and demonstrate the ability to help reduce SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease.

Does iWave or NuShield produce ozone?

iWave is UL 867 ozone standard certified to produce no harmful levels of ozone. NuShield is UL 2998 zero ozone emissions certified.

Will one device properly sized and installed address both coil cleanliness and assigned space ionization requirements?

Possibly. Ionization does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. Distance from the equipment to space and duct design play major roles in this equation. Contact us for more information on your application.

Do air filters need to be changed more frequently when used with iWave?

Filter change intervals may be increased in some applications based on run time and how the space is utilized. Most applications can maintain their existing filter change schedule.

Does ionization degrade filters, insulation, wire coatings, and plastic like UV lights?

No. Ionization leaves other equipment unaffected.

Does ionization have an odor to it?

No, ionization is odorless. Some customers have experienced a change in the way the ionized space smells due to the removal of odors they had grown accustomed to.

Schedule a Service Call

Click here to