The fight against indoor allergies has a powerful ally in the HEPA filter. Among the latest buzzwords to hit the vacuum and air purifier industry, these high-powered filters can drastically improve your quality of life when used in concert with an allergen-reducing regimen. Read on to learn more about what these filters are and aren’t and what they can do for you.
What Is a HEPA Air Filter?
Originally developed by the nuclear industry to remove harmful radioactive particles from the air, HEPA filters are now most commonly used to remove minuscule particles from the air, providing a more sanitary and purified environment. How small? A HEPA-certified filter earns that title by removing 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in diameter from the air. As a point of comparison, a strand of hair is roughly 70 microns in diameter. So, we’re talking about a filter that can successfully trap over 99.9% of particles 1/270th that size.
Commercialization of this technology has been a boon for the hypoallergenic industry, as they realized its potential to remove allergic triggers like dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and finer pollutants like cigarette smoke. It is commonly utilized in air purification systems, and is starting to show up in vacuum technology as well.
What Is Not a HEPA Air Filter?
With the trust placed in HEPA filters at a high, imitators are popping up and offering similar benefits. You may have seen this already, with terminology like HEPA-like or HEPA-type gracing the boxes of vacuum and air purifier systems. Accept no substitutes in this arena, especially if your allergies are severe.
While materials used in these filters may resemble those of HEPA filters, they have not been similarly certified for their ability to catch and hold pollutants. Even if the filters themselves are fine enough, the seal between the filter and its frame may not be as airtight as needed. The result? Potential leakage of offending materials from the filter’s casing. This is a point you should be bullish on if you need that comprehensiveness of protection. Explain That Stuff puts it bluntly, as it pertains to HEPA-certified vacuums:
A vacuum with proper HEPA filtration will channel virtually all (over 90 percent) of the dirty airstream through the filter; if it doesn’t do this, it’s simply rearranging the dirt.
Who Benefits Most from a HEPA Air Filter?
As we’ve mentioned, those with severe allergies will benefit greatly from a filter that can remove the smallest of particulates effectively. The idea of an air filter that can remove cigarette smoke, in particular, is a welcome feature for those otherwise struggling to remove that scourge from their home.
Another useful application of this technology comes into play with infectious patient isolation. In addition to being fine enough to capture particles as small as cigarette smoke, they are fine enough to capture viruses and bacteria. For this reason, HEPA air filtration has become a literal lifesaver for controlling the movement of pathogens, microbial spores, and other contaminants expelled from spaces a patient inhabits. With this said, there are some considerations that must be made when trying to use this technology in your own home.
How to Buy Your Best HEPA Air Filter
When you decide that this technology is something you want to bring into your home, there are a few factors you’ll need to think about before you take the plunge.
First, think about the filters themselves. The cost of filters varies across models of purifiers and vacuums; this upkeep cost must be factored in early. In the absence of good upkeep, dutifully collected particles run the risk of being blown back out, reversing the work so painstakingly done. Newer versions are cleanable and reusable, which can help manage the cost. By thinking about this factor in advance, it can help you manage the investment you’re about to make.
Closely related to filter usage and cost, is energy usage and cost. While this doesn’t apply to vacuum cleaners that use HEPA technology, it does apply to standalone filtration systems. This is important because you stand to run this device for several hours a day. Explore EnergyStar ratings for any HEPA air filters that you’re considering buying. Weigh the burden such a device will place on your electricity budget.
Finally, think about noise! With a machine running in your home for most of the day, you’ll want the ability to ignore it. There are models that run at varying levels (low during sleep, high during peak allergy season where more firepower will be needed to clear the air), and all of these levels should ideally run with minimal interruption to your day. If there are store models, listen closely to how they run, and imagine how that level of noise would affect your household.
For those suffering from allergy symptoms, a HEPA air filter could make a world of difference in your life. When utilized effectively, IAQ puts your benefit simply: You will notice less allergies, a cleaner general smell, less fine dust in your home, and less of a risk of getting sick.