When choosing an air purifier for your home or office, the key element to look at is clearly the HEPA filter. The HEPA filter plays a crucial role in the filtration process by cleaning the air of harmful particles and releasing clean air, making its quality essential.
What Is a HEPA Filter?
HEPA is a type of pleated mechanical air filter. The U.S. Department of Energy officially defines it as an acronym for “high-efficiency particulate air [filter].” This air filter can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. The size specification of 0.3 microns refers to the worst case possible, the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Particles that are larger or smaller are trapped with even higher efficiency. Using the worst-case particle size results in the worst-case efficiency rating (i.e., 99.97% or better for all particle sizes).
So, simplifying that, a HEPA filter is a type of filter with a great capacity to filter small particles. Also, it’s important to understand that HEPA filters remove more than 99.9% of the particles from the air that passes through them. These particles can be allergens, viruses, bacteria, chemical compounds, dust, and many more.
The HEPA Filter Certification
When choosing an air purifier, it is essential to make sure its filter is certified. To be certified, HEPA filters and air purifiers must pass certain tests. For example, in Europe, HEPA filters must remove at least 99.95% of particles from the air. On the other hand, in the United States, at least 99.97% of the particles must be filtered.
The European standard tells us that there are three main categories of filters called EPA, HEPA, and ULPA filters, where the lower retention capacity of filtration is EPA and the higher ULPA. However, ULPA is usually used only in hospitals and laboratories. The HEPA H13 and True HEPA filters are the most widely used filters today for homes, schools, and offices, as they allow effective filtration and have a budget-friendly price.
You can find on our site reviews of some of the best air purifiers that use True HEPA filters. So, if you want an efficient and still super-good-looking air purifier for your home or office, go and read the Compare the Best Coway Air Purifiers for Your Home article. Even one of our crew members bought the Coway Airmega Icon for his family, and they are super satisfied with the results. On the other hand, if you still want a true HEPA filter air purifier but aren’t so interested in the design, take a look at our Best 5 Air Purifier Winix Reviews.
How Does a HEPA Filter Work?
Air purifiers work really simply, actually. Air cleaners absorb air, pass the air through a series of filters (including the HEPA filter), and release clean air for you to breathe in. A HEPA air filter is designed with complex layers in order to catch particles of microscopic size. The layers are usually made from materials like PTFE (a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene) or glass fiber, and they are arranged in random sheets that come together to form something similar to a mat. The random, dense arrangement of fibers in the HEPA filter helps to catch a wide range of particle sizes. Three mechanisms—diffusion, interception, and impaction—catch air particles as they pass through the air filter.
- INERTIAL IMPACTION (works on large, heavy particles): As the air around the particles changes direction to enter the fiber space, the particle continues in a straight line and collides with the fibers, where it is trapped and held.
- INTERCEPTION (works on particles in the mid-range size): These mid-sized particles follow the flow stream as it bends through the fiber spaces. Particles are intercepted when they touch a fiber.
- DIFFUSION (works on the smallest particles): The air does not keep small particles in place, and they diffuse within the flow stream. So, when we talk about smooth particles, it’s very probable that they will traverse the flow stream, making it easy for them to collide with the fiber and collect.
How to Choose the Best Air Purifier for Your Home
The average air purifier that works well and will last for years will cost between 50 and 200 dollars. Air purifiers in this price range will be able to do their job in most rooms and under most conditions. So, you can imagine how hard it should be to choose one device from all the possibilities on the market. That’s why I decided to let you know some key factors to consider before purchasing your own.
First of all, the four main categories into which many manufacturers divide their products are size, price, type of filtration, and (believe it or not) Wi-Fi connection. Therefore, after realizing your exact needs, it’s advisable to know exactly what features you’re looking for in your next air purifier.
Secondly, air purifiers come in many shapes and sizes, but their goal is to clean the air. Some do that with electronic plates, some with ozone, some with air sanitizers, and some with ions. Most air purifiers that you will come across will have solid, tactile filters that you can feel and touch. Finally, the best of these is none other than the HEPA filter.
However, in order to help you even more, I strongly recommend that you read my article on this exact topic, How to Choose the Best Air Purifier for Home.
Final Thoughts
Now you certainly know all that you need to know about the HEPA filter and how it works. You learned how it’s made and all its benefits compared to other filters. So, you can understand why HEPA filters are the reason why so many Air Purifiers have been installed during the pandemic in schools, hospitals, and offices. It’s because Air Purifiers that use HEPA filters are useful in improving the quality of the air we breathe every single day. Not to mention, they are a great help for those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Finally, it’s time for you to share your thoughts and experiences regarding air cleaners that use a HEPA filter. I am super interested in finding out if you’ve ever used one until now and, if so, how it was. Also, if you’d prefer another type of filter, please let us know which one and why. I want to see all your ideas and thoughts in the comment section below!