“What the Heck” are HEPA air cleaners?
If you have decided that you need an air purifier, or air cleaner, for your home due to allergies or just a desire to breath cleaner, fresher air, this question may have popped up in your mind.
The term HEPA is synonymous in this industry because units using this type of filter are considered to be the best air purifiers on the market.
HEPA air cleaners use technology which was developed by the US Atomic Energy Commission to protect servicemen from radioactive particles during the 1950’s.
They are considered, today, to be one of the most effective and reliable ways to remove harmful particles from the atmosphere in your home.
The term HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate arresting(arrestor).
A HEPA filter is claimed to be able to capture up to 99.7% of the particles that attempt to pass through it. Its holes are only 0.3 microns in size, and therefore are able to stop not only visible dust and pet hair, but unseen viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and other potentially damaging intruders in the air.
These filters have the ability to process large amounts of air simultaneously due to their very large size.
But you may be wondering, if this is the case, why are some of the units that use HEPA filters not very big at all?
That’s because, similar to a concertina, it is folded over multiple times to enable it to fit within a small container nicely. This makes an air purifier of this type convenient to place anywhere in your home without standing out too much.
Many doctors recommend HEPA air purifiers for their allergy suffering patients because of their ability to eliminate pollen and pet hairs in the home which can cause agonizing discomfort. You may not have to get rid of “Fluffy” after all!
If you are seeking one of these units to remove unwanted odors from the air as well, you will have to find a model that combines both technologies. This is due to the molecular structure of odor chemicals.
There are many air purifiers available that use the Powerful HEPA filters to clean the air and have the additional function of removing unpleasant smells. You will just need to do the proper research.
Even some vacuum cleaners use the HEPA technology to provide better performance.
If you have an inordinate amount of dust, allergens, or pet dander in your home, you may need to change the filter on your unit more often. Recommendations from the manufacturer are usually provided for doing this.
Efficiency ratings for these types of purifiers are generally displayed on the packaging to assure you of its high standards.
All in all, you will get the most value for your money and peace of mind from HEPA air cleaners.
Source by Tim Houser
