HEPA Air Purifiers: The Best Way to Clean Your Air

Air purifiers clean the air by removing airborne particles and pollutants such as pollen, mold, dust, and germs like bacteria. These devices can also remove pet odors, culinary smells, and tobacco smoke odors from the air.

Air purifiers are also helpful for those who have symptoms of asthma, allergies, or breathing problems. Even with certain air purifiers, you can improve air quality inside of your home or workplace.

And now let’ us discuss HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) air purifier. HEPA air purifiers can reduce the amount of particle matter (PM), such as dust mites as it causes allergic reactions.

In this article, we will discuss about:

• What is a HEP Air Purifier?
• How do Air Purifiers Work?
• Advantages of HEPA Air purifier
• How to Choose the Right HEPA Air Purifier for Your Needs?
• HEPA Air Purifiers vs. Other Air Purifiers
• What Is the Average Life of a HEPA Filter?

What is a HEPA Air Purifier?

HEPA is a folded mechanical air filter. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, HEPA refers to “high-efficiency particulate air”.  According to this definition, an air filter of this kind can eliminate 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, germs, and other airborne particles smaller than 0.3 microns (µm).

“Filters are rated for the size they perform worst at—0.3 microns. As you get to larger and smaller particles, HEPA filters will capture closer to 100%.” —Dr. Joseph Allen, Director of Harvard Health’s Building Program

The following figure is useful for comparing how effectively different filters function.

This comparison is created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The better a filter is at filtering any particular kind of particle, the higher its MERV rating.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Genuine HEPA filters often consist of plastic or borosilicate glass fibers randomly arranged into a mat. However, HEPA filters don’t function like a sieve, which allows smaller particles to pass through while capturing larger particles. In a HEPA air purifier, particles are trapped by sticking to a fiber:

• Diffusion
• Interception
• Impaction

Micro Particles: These are collected via a process called diffusion, which makes use of the scientific concept of Brownian motion. This process causes particles to attach to fibers by slowing down as they hit with gas molecules.

Tiny Particles: These are “intercepted” and attach to a fiber when they pass through the filter with a diameter of not more than one particle.

Larger Particles: These are caught because they are unable to pass through fibers without “impacting” them directly. Electrostatic attraction is another technique used to collect particles.

Advantages of HEPA Air purifier

The following are some advantages of HEPA air purifiers in your house:

Allergies. HEPA air purifiers can reduce the symptoms of allergies and asthma in your home.

Asthma. Air purifiers can reduce causes of asthma signs and attacks caused by pollutants such as smoking, dust, and pollen.

Dust. The quantity of dust particles, which are often 5 microns or smaller can be reduced by your HEPA air purifier.

Animal dander. HEPA air purifiers are also helpful to reduce the dander from your cat, bird, or dog.

Particulate matter (PMs). HEPA air purifiers with a high CADR can lower indoor PM2.5 (smaller particles) concentrations by 50% or more.

Viruses. Many air purifiers can reduce airborne particles. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HEPA air purifiers can easily remove airborne particles between 0.1 and 1 microns.

How to Choose the Right HEPA Air Purifier for Your Needs?

It can be difficult to choose the right air purifier from so many options. So, how do you determine which HEPA Air Purifier works best?  We have tried to provide a solution when choosing the HEPA air purifier.

Cost of New Filters

Usually, pleated HEPA filters should be replaced every six to twelve months, and activated carbon filters should be cleaned or replaced every three months. When the filter needs to be changed or cleaned, the majority of the devices we examine include an indicator light.

Filters vary greatly in price. Large room hepa air purifier with prices ranging from $20 to over $200. The price of odor-removing carbon filters might reach $50.

Request Genuine HEPA Filtration.

A trusted source survey conducted in 2021 investigated whether portable air purifiers can lower PM or surrounding ammonia levels in homes. The result was amazing, HEPA filters were capable of reducing airborne particles that were 2.5 microns.

According to the study’s findings, HEPA filters are capable of reducing particles that are 2.5 microns.

Filter with activated Carbon

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that gasses and odors, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can be removed using activated carbon filters. Pick a filter with a high activated carbon ratio.

Monitor the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)

A purifier’s CADR rating tells you how much area it can cover and how many particles it can remove. Choose a purifier that has a CADR that is suitable for the stated region.

Consider Photoelectrochemical Oxidation (PECO) Filters

A 2018 Trusted Source study found that after using PECO-filtered air purifiers for four weeks, patients’ symptoms of allergies were greatly reduced.

HEPA Air Purifiers vs. Other Air Purifiers

It can be challenging for those people who are new to using air-cleaning equipment to decide which technologies are the most successful. Therefore, confusion regarding different types of air purifiers often occurs. Air purifiers and ozone generators can confuse those who are new to this field.

You should consider the following details when comparing HEPA air purifiers to ozone generators and ionizers.

HEPA Air Purifiers vs. Ozone Generators

Ozone generators produce ozone gas by ionizing airborne oxygen molecules to promote their combining into triatomic O3, or ozone. According to the makers of these devices, the ozone in the air can react with regular pollutants and turn them neutral.

However, air purifiers collect pollutants using a filter of a particular kind. The two most popular types of filters are activated carbon and HEPA.

• Activated carbon air purifiers can trap gaseous pollutants like VOCs,
• HEPA air purifiers can capture small, solid particles.

Almost all air purifiers have different types of filters which allow them to successfully remove multiple kinds of airborne particles and pollutants. The efficiency of these devices in removing common indoor air pollutants has been proven.

Air purifiers vs. Ionizers

The key difference between ionizers and air purifiers is how each device destroys airborne pollutants. HEPA air purifiers collect particles within the filter, requiring regular filter replacements.

Ionizers remove pollutants from the air by emitting electrically charged particles, so they do not require filters. It’s important to be aware that the environment still contains such particles even after this is done.

Ozone emissions are one of the risks caused by ionizers. When they release charged particles, the majority of ionizers create trace levels of ozone. Elevated amounts of ozone in houses can cause negative reactions in those who are sensitive to it. You should avoid using an ionizer if you are a victim of breathing problems.

What Is the Average Life of a HEPA Filter?

It all depends on some factors.

• Firstly, consider the size of the air purifier.
• Secondly, consider your environment.
• Thirdly, how long do you use your air purifier?

Household air purifiers are likely to be used continuously. Additionally, your air purifier will be rather small and used in a limited space. As a result, home’s HEPA air filters last for years before needing to be changed.

However, you will need a more powerful HEPA air purifier in a commercial or healthcare setting to clean the air.

It is also important to follow strict industry regulations given by the HSE Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). As a result, replacing commercial HEPA air purifiers is more necessary than in homes or work areas.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a HEPA air purifier is an excellent choice, if you want to lower allergens, enhance indoor air quality, and make your home healthier. HEPA air purifiers give you peace of mind by ensuring that the air you breathe is pure, fresh, and free of harmful substances.

You have to consider the following factors before choosing a HEPA air purifier:

• Room size
• CADR rating
• Noise level
• Filter Quality
• Extra features
• Energy efficiency
• Cost
• Warranty

By following the above factors, we hope you will receive the best possible air quality and long-term happiness that fits your particular needs.

Keep in mind, that HEPA air purifier requires regular maintenance to remain efficient over time. This involves cleaning or replacing your filters. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to extend the purifier’s life while keeping clean indoor air quality.