When it comes to air filtration, there are two main types of filters: standard and HEPA. While both are widely used in the air purifier industry, there are some key differences between them that are important to understand in order to make an informed decision when purchasing an air purifier. A HEPA-type filter is actually a lower version of True HEPA. This type of filter can be sold under the pretext of deceiving consumers into believing that the HEPA filter is almost as effective as or as effective as the real HEPA.
It is important to note that a HEPA vacuum cleaner is designed to meet HEPA standards and can be a bagged or bagless model. In other words, it's not the bag that makes a vacuum cleaner HEPA. It's also important to understand that just using a HEPA-type bag or adding a HEPA filter to a standard vacuum doesn't mean you're going to get real HEPA performance. HEPA vacuums are sealed and have special filters that clean all the air that comes out of the vacuum. Standard vacuums usually filter the air that comes out through the vacuum bag. The main differences between the HEPA type HEPA filter and the true HEPA filter are filtration efficiency.
In general, the HEPA-type filter has an efficiency rate of 99% to capture particles as small as 2 microns. The true HEPA filter improves performance with a better efficiency rate of 99.97% on particles as small as 0.3 microns. As both filters are widely used in the air purifier industry, the HEPA type filter is usually combined with the compact and economical air purifier. The HEPA True filter, on the other hand, is labeled as the largest premium air purifier. However, just because a filter or vacuum bag says HEPA doesn't mean you're getting true HEPA performance.
When air is directed toward the HEPA filter, the fibers of the high-density filter trap contaminants that pass through it through direct impact, diffusion, sieving, and interception. The best way to know what type of HEPA filter is used in an air purifier is to review the specifications in its manual or website. You can effectively remove dust, pet dander, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and other pollutants from the air with a durable, waterproof True HEPA filter. HEPA is a type of pleated mechanical air filter known as a high-efficiency particulate filter and refers to the air quality cleaning measure developed by the Department of Energy (DOE) after the Manhattan Project in the 1940s. Many filters sold as HEPA can capture only 85 to 90 percent of all particles, and that percentage may decrease even more for particles of one micron or less.
While the filter may still be able to capture 0.3 micron particles and capture a high percentage of them, unless HEPA is confirmed to be authentic, it cannot claim to meet DOE HEPA standards. In your search for air filters, you may have also found one that claims to be an authentic HEPA filter. Although household air filters designated by the HEPA standard usually operate at high levels, comparable to those of MERV 16, there is no widely accepted definition of the performance of HEPA in consumer products. However, with constant improvement over the years, these filters can be found in day care centers, hospitals, healthcare facilities, and medical facilities. True HEPA filters have an assigned serial number and have been shown to trap at least 99.97 percent of 0.3 micron particles. HEPA filters can be used in any environment, whether industrial, commercial, healthcare or for consumers.
Even if the water in the droplet evaporates, they contain salts, proteins, and other materials, in addition to any viruses, which means that the remaining particles are usually only a few microns in size, making them fairly easy to trap with a HEPA filter. In conclusion, it is important to understand both types of filters when purchasing an air purifier so you can make an informed decision about which one will best suit your needs. True HEPA filters offer superior performance compared to their counterparts but come at a higher cost. However, if you want maximum protection from airborne pollutants such as dust mites and allergens then investing in a true HEPA filter is worth it.
