The article evaluates the effect of pulsed-high-voltage energization upon three types of cylindrical electrostatic precipitators that might be installed on the exhaust pipe of household boilers. The three models are similar in that the corona discharge is generated between a thin copper wire (diameter 0.16mm), coaxial with a 354mm long aluminum cylinder (inner diameter: 40mm) that is the collecting electrode. The first model is a standard constant cross-section precipitator. The other two models are characterized by the presence of a 17mm long, reduced cross-section (diameter: 23 or 30mm) intermediate sector, located at about 1/3 of the precipitator length, from the inlet. The reduced cross-section was achieved by a sleeve made of either aluminum or polyvinylchloride, so that to create, in the latter case, a dielectric-barrier discharge. Pulsed energization of the three models of electrostatic precipitators was provided by positive or negative DC high-voltage supplies and a mechanical rotary spark-gap. The frequency of the high-voltage pulses ranged between 120 and 280Hz. The experimental results show that the collection efficiency was better for both negative and positive high-voltage pulses. The best collection performances were obtained with the hybrid corona and dielectric-barrier discharge precipitator.