Are There any Initial Costs to Joining the Exchange Program?

You might be wondering whether there are any initial fees in order to start the Bee Clean Switch electrostatic exchange program. There are no standard fees, and if you have been maintaining your system regularly and the system is working correctly there will likely be no charge. However; if your electrostatics have not been properly maintained in a while there are a few items that may need to be repaired or replaced before starting a regular service program. 

Damaged Cells and Ionizers

One problem that we run into when a new customer joins our service program is that some of their cells or ionizers are damaged. This can be caused by a lot of different things: dropping them or not handling them carefully, improper cleaning methods, or not maintaining them regularly. 

Ionizers can usually be fixed relatively easily, by replacing broken wires or insulators. The Ionizing wires are tungsten, and cost about $10 to replace each one. Insulators are relatively inexpensive, and we usually do not charge for replacing them, unless there are many broken insulators. 

Fixing the collection cells is more time-consuming, and thus more expensive. If there are damaged plates, the cell will have to be taken apart, the plates replaced and then rebuilt again. MistBuster and TriMist cells are often cheaper to replace than repair if there is any major damage. TriMist cells cost $265, and MistBuster cells cost $990 SmogHog and Trion cells are easier to repair and cost more, so usually, they are worth repairing, however; if it has extensive fire damage, or is otherwise thoroughly damaged they will need to be replaced. 

• SmogHog SH cells cost $1,131
• SmogHog SG cells cost $1,461

Bad Power supplies

Another thing that we encounter with new customers is bad power supplies, power supplies typically last about 10 years, but if air cleaners are not maintained properly, it will reduce their lifetime. If your equipment has bad power supplies, they will need to be replaced in order for your equipment to function properly. Power supplies cost anywhere from $330, for a TriMist, to $2000 for some European electrostatics. Smog Hog power supplies cost $575-$675. We quote repairs to the units after service is done. 

Bad Motors or Blowers

The last problem that we encounter with new service customers is bad motors or blowers. It is relatively easy to tell if your equipment has a bad motor or blower. If your air cleaner has very little or no airflow, or has considerable vibrations, you probably have a bad motor or blower. Impellers for MistBusters or TriMists cost $600-1300, and blowers for Smog-hogs or Trions cost about $400-$1000

This may seem like a lot of additional expenses and it sounds like it could cost you a lot of money, however: Most customers that have joined the Switch Program have no entry cost. About 25% have between $500 to $3000. 10% seem to have major problems and need many collection cells replaced or rebuilt. About 1% of the time the cost to repair your filters is more than is in your budget. If this is the case, we will return your collection cells and ionizers in exchange for the ones we brought to do the initial service.

These expenses are unknown at the start yet they are usually only a small fraction of replacing the air cleaner. We work to keep them reasonable, usually installing parts for the cost of the part with nothing added for labor. The repairs we suggest are needed in order to have an effective air cleaning system, regardless of whether you are going to continue to maintain them in-house, or if you want to join our Clean Air Switch program. Once you do join our Bee Clean Switch program we guarantee that your replacement cells and ionizers will remain in good working condition. If wires or insulators break, or even a whole collection cell needs to be replaced, we will cover that cost for you.