HEPA filters are a popular choice for improving air quality, but they have their limitations. HEPA filters are designed to capture particulate matter, such as pet dander, pollen, smoke, and dust. However, there are certain gases and fumes that cannot be filtered out by a HEPA filter. Additionally, HEPA filters can cause the air to become too dry and some can produce ozone, which is a harmful gas that can irritate the lungs.
Low-cost, disposable flat panel filters are designed to reduce wear and tear caused by large inorganic dust particles in the mechanical components of air conditioning. They are not necessarily designed to address the air quality issues faced by home occupants. This is where HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters come into play. They are designed to close the gap and bring air filtration to a higher level of efficiency.
In fact, HEPA filters exceed the MERV 16 grade and can remove 99.97 percent of particles up to a size of 0.3 microns. Nowadays, almost all HEPA filters are associated with additional filtration technologies, such as activated carbon. Activated carbon is almost always included as part of the HEPA filters sold today, which can help eliminate VOCs and ozone, but it has its own limitations. It is important to note that VOCs, ozone, and fine particulate matter cannot be completely removed from the air with a HEPA filter alone.
The Department of Energy created an air filtration standard for those concerned about larger particles, such as dust, pollen, and animal dander. An air filter with a HEPA component will help reduce them in the air. As you can see above, HEPA filters are more effective when combined with additional filtration technologies, especially when removing tiny particles, such as fragments of allergens and chemicals such as VOCs. Today, HEPA filters are worth investing in due to increased air pollution levels.
While most allergenic particles are large enough to be trapped in a HEPA filter, very small fragments can penetrate the filter and remain in the air. To understand how HEPA filters work, think of them as a dense forest of tangled fibers that form a sheet. The main function of the HEPA filter is to remove contaminated viruses from the air and to provide clean, pure air. A HEPA filter should only be understood as part of the solution to improve indoor air quality.
