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Few thing are as of import as the air we suspire . One of the most popular products uncommitted in the ongoing quest for clear aura — especially for allergic reaction sufferers — is the high - efficiency particulate matter air ( HEPA ) filter found in a number of melody - cleaning ware . If you ’re considering buying an gizmo with built - in HEPA filtration , keep take to understand what these filters can ( and ca n’t ) do to help improve the atmosphere tone in your home as well as what you ’ll require to look out for when buying a HEPA air purifier .
1. Decades before they made their way into the home, HEPA filters first appeared in nuclear facilities and hospitals.
HEPA filter were designed in the 1940s to protect workers in nuclear facility from breathe ray airborne particles . By the sixties , HEPA filter were being used in hospitals to help stop the spreadhead of airborne germs and particulates , and soon after they began to appear in menage appliance , including vacuity cleaners , air purifier , and whole - house air - filtration systems . TheEnergy Star branch of the Environment Protection Agency ( EPA)defines HEPA filter as being able to “ take away more than 99 percent of all airborne pollutants 0.3 microns or larger . ” A micron is a microscopical particle , less than 1/25,400 of an column inch long .
2. Allergy sufferers can get some relief with HEPA filters.
For asthma attack and allergic reaction sufferers , air filled with detritus , pollen , and hackles can lead to respiratory symptoms , such as sneezing , watery eye , sensitive throat , and worry external respiration . as luck would have it , the airborne particulates that induction allergy symptom are relatively large in sizing and are easily trapped by a HEPA filter . concord to theEPA ’s Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home , using HEPA air filter in portable air travel - purifier and HVAC systems can serve thin allergy and asthma symptoms . presently , however , the EPA has no schematic passport for the use of HEPA filter in the home .
3. However, these filters won’t remove every particle from your indoor air.
Because allergens enter the dwelling through undetermined doors and windows — a single drafty windowpane can lease in millions of airborne particulates — using HEPA filter ca n’t guarantee the removal of all allergens . In addition , HEPA filter ca n’t absent the risk of all inhalable pollutant , including :
4. Pay attention to the terminology on filters’ labels.
TheDepartment of Energy ( DOE)specifies HEPA filter used by DOE contractors must be able to slay 99.7 percent of airborne particles 0.3 microns and large , but no Union or national regulations exist for the consumer industry . producer of high - quality HEPA filter voluntarily essay and certify their filter to run into DOE standards , labeling them as either “ Absolute HEPA ” or “ True HEPA . ” Manufacturers whose filter do not meet DOE specifications are often pronounce as “ HEPA - type , ” “ HEPA - like , ” or “ HEPA - stylus . ” While they may be good filters , they have n’t been tested and evidence as meet DOE standard for HEPA filters .
5. You’ll find HEPA filters in some air purifiers, HVACs, and vacuum cleaners.
The three most vulgar home gadget to make utilization of HEPA filters arewhole - house filtration systemsdesigned to treat entire HVAC systems , portable air purifier , and vacancy cleaners . For homes with family line members who suffer from asthma or allergies , using one or more of these gadget may be helpful in alleviating allergy symptoms .
6. HEPA filters require frequent replacement.
Because dense HEPA filters trap most of the particulates in the zephyr , they tend to become clogged more quickly than traditional filter . While the recommended substitution rate variegate from contraption to appliance and look on how much air is being get through the filter ( and how dirty the melody is ) , you may have a bun in the oven to change HEPA filters at least twice as often as you would alter non - HEPA filters . This can be expensive , as a replacement filter for a stock vacuum runs just about $ 10 , while a replacement filter for aHEPA vacuumruns around $ 50 .
7. HEPA filters can be washed and reused (in some circumstances).
The ability to make clean a HEPA filter hold open money . While filters take issue and some are hard to cleanse without damage them , user may be able-bodied to eke out an additional few months or longer by cleanse a HEPA filter .
The cleaning process will murder work up - up soil , rubble , and pollen from the filter while belittle damage to its soft accordion folds . Rather than sticking a HEPA filter under a running spigot , which is almost guaranteed to damage the filter as the body of water pressure make inter-group communication with the delicate folds , the best elbow room to lap a HEPA filter is by deluge it .
8. HEPA air purifiers can capture some COVID-19 particles.
With the arrival of the novel coronavirus , COVID-19 , medical researchers and scientist have been working on ways to reduce the airborne scatter of the virus . According to theCenters for Disease Control(CDC ) , COVID-19 speck are about 0.1 micrometer in size . Normally , this would be too small for a HEPA filter to trap since the filter traps particle only as belittled as 0.3 microns in size .
Fortunately , COVID-19 particles do n’t travel through the airwave alone . Rather , they ’re confiscate to flyspeck respiratory droplet that are exhaled when infected humans cough , talk , or sternutation . A HEPA filter will trammel these larger , human - generated droplet and , in doing so , can pin COVID-19 particles as well .
In the quest to control COVID-19 and reduce airborne contagion rates , tune purifier fit with HEPA filter may play a role when used in homes and public preferences , such as wait rooms . Users should not assume that an atmosphere purifier equipped with a HEPA filter will entirely protect them against becoming infect . However , in conjunction with other precautions , such as tire mask , washing hands frequently , and social distancing , HEPA - fitted atmosphere purifiers may aid reduce the peril of infection .
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HEPA Air Purifier Buying Guide
respiration contaminate air is a pain for many but can be a wellness fortune for those who suffer from asthma or allergic reaction . harmonize to a work bring out in theJournal of Asthma , when air purifiers were placed in homes with children who suffered from asthma symptoms , after just 12 week , they felt better and showed fewer sign of respiratory job .
Not all air purifier clean the line as . Some , such as those with HEPA filters , are more efficient than others , some are designed for big or small rooms — and others might in reality be risky to health .
HEPA Air Purifier Features to Consider
In the market for a HEPA air travel purifier ? Here ’s what to look for .
FAQs
Clean air is a end of many , but airborne pollutants are virtually everywhere . For those looking to reduce allergens , dust , and other airborne contaminants in the family , a few doubt are to be expected .
Q: Do home HEPA filters work?
Yes , by using HEPA filters in both vacuums andair purifier , the user can reduce the number of airborne allergens and pollutant in a home .
Q: Which HEPA filter is best?
A HEPA filter label “ truthful HEPA ” or “ Absolute HEPA ” has been tested and meets the criteria for being highly efficient .
Q: How much does a whole house HEPA filter cost?
A whole - house HEPA aviation purifier attache case to the master trunk of a home ’s HVAC intake channel and filters out harmful pollutants every meter the furnace or AC is operating . Replacement HEPA filter for this type of purifier are the most expensive and can run $ 50 to $ 110 .
Q: Is there any filter better than HEPA?
Currently , HEPA filter are regard the top filter for removing airborne particles , such as mold spores , dust , hackles , and pollen . They do n’t , however , remove aroma and some types of VOCs . By purchasing a HEPA air purifier that contains extra filter , such as a carbon paper filter and a pre - filter , the unit will remove a maximum amount of airborne pollutants .
Final Thoughts
When used in both atmosphere purifier and vacuity , HEPA filters offer the good shot at cleaning indoor air . Other steps , however , such as observe window closed , not having houseplants , and laundering draperies regularly , are also necessary for reducing the routine of airborne pollutants in a base .
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Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
