When it comes to air quality, few things are as important as the air we breathe. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are one of the most popular products available for those looking to improve the air quality in their home, especially for allergy sufferers. But are HEPA filters worth the money? In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore what these filters can (and can't) do to help improve the air quality in your home, as well as what you should consider when buying a HEPA air purifier. The Department of Energy (DOE) specifies that HEPA filters used by DOE contractors must be able to remove 99.7 percent of airborne particulates of 0.3 microns or more.
However, there are no federal or national regulations for the consumer industry. Manufacturers of high-quality HEPA filters voluntarily test and certify that their filters meet DOE standards, labeling them as “absolute HEPA” or “true HEPA”. Those that don't meet DOE specifications are often labeled “HEPA type”, “HEPA type” or “HEPA type”. While they can be good filters, they haven't been tested or certified to meet the DOE standards for HEPA filters.
In an attempt to control COVID-19 and reduce airborne transmission rates, air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can play an important role when used in homes and public environments, such as waiting rooms. However, users should not assume that an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter will fully protect them from infection. Along with other precautions, such as wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and maintaining social distancing, air purifiers equipped with HEPA technology can help reduce the risk of infection. Not all air purifiers clean the air equally.
Some are more efficient than others, some are designed for large or small rooms, and some can be really hazardous to health. To understand the effectiveness of HEPA filters in keeping homes safe, you must understand how they are designed. A HEPA filter must be able to remove up to 99.97 percent of contaminants with a size of 0.3 microns. By purchasing a HEPA air purifier that contains additional filters, such as a carbon filter and a prefilter, the unit will remove the maximum amount of contaminants from the air.
The three most common appliances that use HEPA filters are whole-house filtration systems designed to treat entire air conditioning systems, portable air purifiers, and vacuums. If you don't replace HEPA filters on a regular basis, contaminants trapped inside them can build up and block or reduce airflow, putting a burden on the air conditioning system. To keep your family safe on an ongoing basis, it's important to maintain your home HEPA filter. If someone in your home has allergies or asthma, investing in a household HEPA filter will help you reduce and eliminate air particles that cause or may worsen symptoms.
MERV-13 air filters are generally the best filter upgrade for residential use in typical air conditioning systems. In conclusion, HEPA filters are worth the money if you're looking to reduce allergens, dust, and other airborne pollutants in your home. While they won't fully protect you from infection from viruses like COVID-19, they can help reduce the risk when used in conjunction with other precautions. Additionally, if someone in your home has allergies or asthma, investing in a household HEPA filter will help you reduce and eliminate air particles that cause or may worsen symptoms.
