Blog - Floorcare

What Is A HEPA Filter And Its Amazing Benefits

Written by Jay Goldberg | Sep 15, 2022 11:30:00 AM

 

Poor indoor air quality can lead to several health problems, including respiratory infections, headaches, and dizziness. One way to improve indoor air quality is by using a HEPA filter. A high-quality air filter will remove contaminants from the air, making it healthier to breathe.

Did you know indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air? According to a recent report, indoor air may be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The report also indicates that exposure to indoor air pollutants can lead to serious health issues such as asthma, allergies, and even cancer. 

Fortunately, there are simple ways to keep the indoor air clean and safe for you and your family. One of the most effective measures is installing a HEPA filter in your home’s ventilation system. In this article, you will learn about the different types of filters, investigate HEPA filters, and discover why they are so beneficial for reducing pollutants in your home’s indoor air.

What Is A HEPA Filter?

Vacuum cleaners, air purifiers, and HVAC systems all use filters to remove contaminants from the air. The most common filters are mechanical, activated carbon, and HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters.

HEPA filtration stands for high-efficiency particulate air filter. These air filters effectively remove allergens, dust, smoke, and other contaminants. They work by using a combination of an electrostatic charge and physical filtering to trap these airborne particles, preventing them from being rereleased into the air. 

The HEPA air filter is certified by the National Air Filter Council to remove 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 microns. This means they are highly effective at removing allergens, dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, and other contaminants that may be present in your home’s air. 

HEPA filters can remove these particles from the air through two different methods. First, an electrostatic charge attracts the particles to the filter, so they stick to it and are trapped there. Second, the filter’s strong physical fibers trap the particles so they cannot pass through the filter and into your home’s air.

A HEPA filter is designed to remove tiny particles from the air. These filters are often used in homes and businesses to improve indoor air quality.

How Does A HEPA Filter Work?

HEPA filters work by trapping particles in a mesh of fine fibers. The fibers are so closely woven that even microscopic particles, such as bacteria and viruses, cannot slip through. As air passes through the HEPA filter, these particles are trapped, and clean air is allowed to pass through.

Air filtration is an integral part of many industries, including the food and pharmaceutical industries, where clean air is essential to avoid contamination. Smoke particles, for example, can be hazardous in these environments and need to be removed from the air.

HEPA-type filters are also used in hospitals, as they effectively remove bacteria and viruses from the air. This is essential in preventing the spread of infection.

What Are The Different Types Of Filters, And Which Should You Choose?

There are many different types of filters that you can use in your home. However, not all of these filters are equally effective. Some of these filters do not qualify as filters, as they cannot trap any contaminants from the air.

Before investing in a filter, you should know what to look for to ensure that you purchase a high-quality product that effectively reduces contaminants in your home’s air. There are two primary types of air filters:

Air Cleaning Filters

These are filters that trap pollutants from the air. They effectively reduce dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander, and other contaminants in your home’s air.

Air Conditioning Filters

These filters work as part of your HVAC system, helping to reduce the amount of dust and other debris that can build up inside it. While these filters can provide some benefits, they are not as effective as air cleaning.

MERV Rating: Know More About Filters

Merv is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value acronym used to grade air filters.

A Merv rating can be applied to any air filter, including HEPA filters. The Merv rating indicates a filter's level of filtering efficiency, with higher numbers indicating a higher level of efficiency.

Air filters are also given an efficiency rating, which is often represented by the letters MERV. This stands for "minimum efficiency reporting value" and is used to measure air filters' effectiveness.

The number represents the percentage of particles that the air filter can trap from the air, with higher numbers indicating a higher efficiency level.

Why Install A HEPA Filter In Your Home?

While all filters can remove some contaminants from the air, HEPA filters are more effective and can capture a broader range of pollutants from the air than other filters. This makes them the best choice for reducing indoor air pollution and keeping your facility’s air healthy.

HEPA filters are capable of reducing the level of indoor air pollution in two ways. First, they effectively trap allergens, bacteria, dust, and other contaminants in the air, preventing them from being released back into the air again.

Second, they prevent the buildup of these contaminants on the filter, reducing the dust that builds up inside the filter, and preventing it from entering your home’s air again.

Pros Of Using A HEPA Filter

HEPA filters are a great choice for reducing indoor air pollution in your home because they are highly effective at capturing a wide range of contaminants, including allergens, bacteria, dust, pet dander, and more.

They are also designed to last for many years, so you can be sure that they will continue to effectively reduce the level of indoor air pollution for many years. HEPA filters also come in various designs and sizes, so you can find one that fits your home and meets your needs, no matter what.

Finally, they are relatively inexpensive, making them a cost-effective option for reducing indoor air pollution in your home.

Benefits Of HEPA Filters

There are many benefits to using a HEPA filter in your home or business.

Improve Air Quality

HEPA filters can remove allergens, dust, mold spores, and other harmful airborne contaminants. This can improve the air quality in your home and help you breathe easier.

HEPA filters are designed to keep pollutants out of your home’s air, helping to protect you and your family from health issues, such as asthma and allergies.

Can Reduce Wear And Tear On HVAC Systems

Additionally, HEPA filters can help to reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system by trapping particles before they can enter the system. High-Efficiency Particulate Air is an EPA designation for filters that meet specific standards for particle removal.

As a result, using a HEPA filter can help to prolong the life of your HVAC system and keep it running more efficiently. Many manufacturers now recommend using HEPA filters to help reduce wear and tear on their systems.

Keep Your Home Clean

An air purifier with a HEPA filter can also help keep your home clean by trapping dust and other particles before settling on furniture or floors.

Filters can only do so much, but if they are not changed or maintained correctly, they can become a source of indoor air pollution. HEPA filters, however, are designed to be self-cleaning to continue effectively reducing indoor air pollution for years to come.

Dust mites, mold spores, and other allergens can cause serious health problems, so you must do everything possible to reduce indoor air pollution in your home. HEPA filters are an effective way to do this, and they also offer some other benefits.

Reduce Energy Costs

Dirty indoor air is a significant source of indoor energy loss and costs approximately 2% of your HVAC costs annually. Cleaning your indoor air will help to reduce these costs, making HEPA filters an intelligent choice for protecting your home’s indoor air. Air purifiers that use HEPA filters can also help to reduce energy costs by reducing the load on your HVAC system.

A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that air purifiers can reduce energy consumption by up to 50%.

2 Common Mistakes When Choosing A HEPA Filter

Not Checking The Filter’s CFM

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, indicating how much air the filter can filter.

This is an essential factor to consider when choosing a filter, as you want to be sure that it is strong enough to effectively reduce the level of contaminants in your home’s air.

Not Considering The Filter’s Life Span

Not only do you need to consider how efficiently a filter works, but you also need to consider how long it lasts.

Air filters have a lifespan, and it is important to be sure that you are purchasing one that will last a long time and continue to effectively reduce the level of contaminants in your home’s air for many years.

Final Words: Is Installing A HEPA Filter Worth It?

It is not difficult to understand why HEPA filters are the best choice for reducing indoor air pollution in your home. They are designed to be highly effective at removing contaminants from the air and can last for many years.

In addition to protecting your family from indoor air pollution and reducing indoor energy loss, installing a HEPA filter can add value to your home. This is because many people consider a home’s indoor air quality when deciding whether or not to buy the home.

A HEPA filter is an excellent choice if you are looking for a simple and cost-effective way to reduce the level of contaminants in your home’s air and protect your family from indoor air pollution.