HEPA Air Purifiers - Filter Technology Explained

HEPA filters are very popular these days. In fact, they may be one of the most commonly used air filtration filters used in American homes. Originally used by the military and medical professions, HEPA filters are extremely effective, capable to remove as much as 99.97% of all particles as small as .03 microns from the air we breath.

HEPA, which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air was developed in the 1940's by the Atomic Energy Commissions to capture radioactive dust. Today, they are used primarily to help clean dust, pollens and other allergens from the air we breathe inside of our homes and offices.
Made of a paper-like glass fiber sheet pleated in a "V" pattern with corrugated aluminum separators between the pleats, HEPA filters are bonded onto a sturdy base, forming the core of the filter. The main drawback of the system is that the filters must be periodically changed for best results since the particles do become captured within it and can cause it to become clogged quite easily.

HEPA filtration system.
Unlike air purifiers that may neutralize viruses and bacteria, HEPA filters only capture them the spores, which does not safeguard your family from contracting the virus or bacterial infect until the filter is actually replaced.

Some other drawbacks to the system include:

• The use of motorized fans that can be annoyingly loud to some.
• Ineffectiveness in large open spaces (they are best used in smaller defined areas).
• Filters are expensive to replace and must be done so regularly.
• HEPA can be brittle, and easily damaged during installation.

Despite these drawbacks, the HEPA filter still remains the most used air cleaning system on the market today. Why? The answer is simple: they work! From hospitals and airports to offices and halls, HEPA filters have been cleaning our air for decades quite effectively.
One important thing to consider though when buying a HEPA filter for your home: size really does matter. The larger the unit (and the unit), the more pollutants the filter is able to pull from the air and trap. Material and construction of the model you choose can also greatly effect how well it cleans the air in your home. Shop carefully and only buy models from well-established manufacturers that can back up any cleaning claims with solid research.