What is a True HEPA Filter?
Air purifiers are widely used and are commonly known for their ability to provide fresh and clean air to breathe. Air purifiers contain filters that are the main component in the product and clears out the airborne particles around us. Most of you must have heard about the ‘True HEPA filter’ while purchasing an air purifier.
The true HEPA filter is known to be commonly used for modern as well as classic air purifiers and has quite a popularity in terms of filters. Being the most important component of an air purifier, the filter will govern the performance and power of the air purifier.
Needless to say, people must have come across many air purifiers that say the filter used is ‘True HEPA filter’ but it is not. These are not until certain specifications of the true HEPA filter are mentioned there. You are not aware of the originality of the true HEPA filter and might mistake it and buy the duplicate or a copied filter. While you research the best filters to use, you will get maximum results for a true HEPA filter and because of this reason, other filters won’t satisfy you.
Well, you do not have to worry. We have got you the best true HEPA filter and how it can help you in enhancing the indoor air quality.
We know what problems you face while breathing unwanted and unhealthy air. Grabbing a good quality air purifier to improve the quality of life is the goal of every person and inhaling germs can cause serious health issues such as asthma & allergies. With this information, we put an end to your struggle and provide you with the best air purifier. In this article, you will learn about the perfect guide for a True HEPA filter.
An ideal air filter consists of the following points and you should always look for one while buying a filter-
- PlasmaWave
- UV-C light filter
- Ionizer
- Activated Carbon filter
True HEPA Filter
HEPA here stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air or High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting is the topmost and widely used physical air filtration in many air purifiers. Not only this, this air filter is standardised and comes with many benefits. True HEPA air filters are generally applied in plenty of applications such as automobiles, vacuum cleaners, and aircraft. A person can identify the originality of the certified true HEPA filter by evaluating the air filter as it should eliminate 99.97% of microscopic bacteria or particles in the surroundings. Even 0.3 microns sized particles are removed from the air by this filter which is the tiniest particle size and cannot be seen by a naked eye. Moreover, these micron bacteria easily get into the lungs causing asthma or breathing problems. Microns are typically one-millionth of a meter and this is how a particle is measured. Microns are not possible to see with a naked eye as a human eye cannot see up to 10 microns. You can always look for the sizes of dust particles, pollen bacteria, virus, dirt, and others from the size of particles chart.
Mechanism of True HEPA Filter
You can also analyse the authenticity of the true HEPA filter as it is made with a highly dense paper composed of very thin fibres typically with a distance between 0.3 to 2.0 microns. These fibres are scattered all over the filter and in all directions, thus covering the entire area. People must have heard about a misconception that the minimum space between the fibres should be 0.3 microns so that even the larger size dust particles can be captured by a True HEPA filter. Well, this assumption is not true and impractical. With the combination of three physical mechanisms, the true HEPA filter can capture ultra-thin particles.
1. Interception
Under this mechanism, particles of small size are included that can easily pass through the streamline and do not collide with the fibres of the air filter. Even though the size between the streamline and the fibres of the air filter is less than the size of the particles. Thus, the edge of the fibres captures these particles easily.
2. Inertial Impaction
The heavier particles or large particles of the pollutants are not passed through the gas flow streamline whereas the unclean air flows through the filter of the true HEPA air filter. Now, because of the passivity of large particles, they travel in a straight path and are soon captured by the filter in the true HEPA filter. Because of this, fibres are unevenly distributed. Thus, the true HEPA filter can capture larger particles by their inertial impaction.
3. Diffusion
With diffusion, even the smallest of particles are easily removed and this mechanism is the most crucial part of the true HEPA filter. When particles that are 0.3 microns in size come in contact with the filter, they lose their tendency to pass through the streamline and can move in any direction because of the collision with the gas molecules. Thus, smaller particles tend to have more freedom to move and be captured by the filter. As the size of particles keeps on decreasing, the diffusion mechanism becomes more & more important.
Therefore, a person thinking of purchasing an air filter should consider all the above mentioned three mechanisms to get the best experience.
Are all HEPA filters identical?
In general, No, not every HEPA filter is the same. There is a major difference between the different brands of HEPA filters as these air filters are manufactured by many brands and all of them have their own unique method to create the filter. From the quality of the material used to the density of fibres, a HEPA filter can be completely different from the other.
To give you an example, Blueair uses HEPASilent which is a unique kind of air filter and improves the efficiency of the ionizer. This ionizer enables the electrostatic charge that accumulates particles on the fibre. BioGS HEPA filter is used by Rabbit Air which helps in preventing the accumulation of airborne particles, virus, growth of bacteria, thus improving the life and efficiency of the filter.
You will hear the word ‘HEPA filter’ or ‘HEPA-like’ filter in the air purifier market but these are of inferior quality as compared with the true HEPA filter. The filter you will hear about can only capture particles that are of about 2.5 microns while true HEPA filters capture 0.3 microns. You can easily see the huge difference between their efficiency. Regardless, a person looking for the best air purifier should go with one that has a true HEPA filter in it.
You might wonder how I can know which air purifier has the True HEPA filter? Well, you can identify the originality by checking the standards that a true HEPA filter should meet which is set by the U.S Department of Energy. The original filter will kill 99.97% particles and can capture 0.3 micrometres. Moreover, you can also look for the HEPA class which either follows MERV rating or European Standard.
Also, for washing the HEPA filter you should consider the instructions provided on the label. If it is mentioned that the filter is non-washable, then you should avoid washing it because it will damage it completely. At such times, buy a new one.
Pros and Cons of True HEPA Filter
Pros
- The particles trapped will always remain within the air filter.
- It can capture 03 microns which is the smallest particle and is highly efficient.
- It is ozone free and it does not cause any health condition such as breathing issues or asthma.
Cons
- It needs to be replaced routinely to achieve efficient results.
- It does not remove smell or odours from the surrounding.