What does a HEPA Filter Do?
, by AussiePharmaDirect, 5 min reading time
Air purifiers are specialised devices designed to improve indoor air quality by removing airborne pollutants, allergens, and contaminants. They play a crucial role in air filtration in creating a healthier and more comfortable living or working space.
Air filtration systems are designed to trap and capture airborne particles as air passes through them. The most efficient air filters or air purifiers use various technologies to target different particle sizes, ensuring comprehensive purification. One of the most effective types of air filters is the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter.
But what makes the HEPA filter effective compared to the other types of filters in the market? We’ll explore the features and the benefits of HEPA air filter in this blog.
What is a HEPA filter?
HEPA filters are a type of high-efficiency air filter designed to capture and remove airborne particles and contaminants from the air. The acronym "HEPA" stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. These filters are widely recognised for their exceptional ability to trap particles as small as 0.3 microns with an efficiency rate of 99.97%. Due to their efficiency, HEPA filters are commonly used in air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, HVAC systems, and various industrial applications.
Is there a difference between regular HEPA filters to medical grade HEPA filters?
Yes, there is a difference between these two air filters. Regular HEPA filters, often found in residential and commercial air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, and HVAC systems, are designed to meet the standards set by organisations like EN 1822 and ISO 29463. These filters are highly efficient in removing airborne particles, capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.
Medical-grade HEPA filters, also known as Absolute HEPA filters, must exhibit a high filtration efficiency, capturing at least 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. They have to meet specific requirements and undergo rigorous testing to ensure their suitability for use in critical environments such as hospitals, cleanrooms, and other medical facilities, however, they’re not just limited to these settings. The medical-grade HEPA air filters such as that found in InovaAir air purifiers can also be used in living spaces.
HEPA filters vs. regular air filters
- Filtration Efficiency
HEPA filters: HEPA filters are highly efficient, capable of capturing 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. They utilise interception, impaction, and diffusion mechanisms to trap even the tiniest airborne particles effectively.
Regular air filters: Regular air filters, while effective in removing larger particles, may not be as efficient as HEPA filters in capturing ultra-fine particles. Their filtration efficiency may vary based on the filter type, with some offering lower particle removal rates.
- Construction
HEPA filters: HEPA filters consist of a dense mat of randomly arranged, ultra-fine glass fibers formed into a pleated structure. This pleating maximises the filter's surface area for enhanced particle capture while maintaining airflow.
Regular air filters: Regular air filters come in various materials, such as fiberglass, polyester, or cotton, and may have different designs. However, they might lack the sophisticated pleated structure found in HEPA filters, resulting in a smaller surface area for particle capture.
- Particle size range
HEPA filters: HEPA filters are specifically designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, pet dander, mould spores, bacteria, and some viruses.
Regular air filters: Regular air filters are effective at capturing larger particles like dust, pollen, and pet hair, but they may not be as efficient in capturing smaller particles like bacteria and viruses.
- Applications
HEPA filters: HEPA filters are commonly used in air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, and critical environments such as hospitals, laboratories, cleanrooms, and even in residential and commercial settings. They are ideal for spaces where the highest level of air purity is required.
Regular air filters: Regular air filters are suitable for general HVAC systems in residential and commercial settings, providing basic filtration to improve indoor air quality.
- Air purification level
HEPA filters: With their superior efficiency, HEPA filters offer a higher level of air purification, ensuring the air is virtually free from airborne pollutants and allergens.
Regular air filters: While regular air filters can improve air quality, they might not achieve the same level of thorough purification as HEPA filters due to their lower efficiency in capturing small particles.
- Allergy and asthma relief
HEPA filters: HEPA filters are highly effective in providing relief for allergy and asthma sufferers by removing allergens and irritants from the air.
Regular air filters: Regular air filters can help alleviate allergy symptoms to some extent but may not offer the same level of relief as HEPA filters, especially for those with severe allergies or asthma.
Breathe clean air with HEPA filters today
Are you looking to improve the air quality in your home or workplace? Consider investing in an air purifier with a HEPA filter from InovaAir. Made in Australia, with a reputation for excellence in air purification technology, InovaAir offers a range of medical-grade air purifiers suitable for use in hospitals, labs and even both residential and commercial settings, ensuring that you and those around you breathe clean, fresh air.
Explore and compare the various InovaAir purifiers here.
Read more: 7 Reasons to Buy an InovaAir Purifier