What is a Hepa Filter?

You know how important clean air is for your health. But unfortunately, the air around you isn't always as pure as you think. This is why many people use air purifiers to improve the quality of indoor air.

HEPA filter is one of the key components of these purifiers. It’s designed to capture tiny dust particles in the air. The HEPA filter in an air filter can make a big difference in the air quality you breathe.

Let’s find out what it is, its main types, and why it’s so important.

What is a HEPA Filter?

 

HEPA filter is a type of folded mechanical air filter designed for effective air filtration. It stands for high efficiency particulate [filter]. And it is used in air purifiers to trap tiny particles from the air. These particles include dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any air pollutant.

A HEPA filter air scrubber for home can absorb at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns which is the most challenging size for any filter to capture. It is even better at capturing smaller particles like viruses that are usually 0.1 microns.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy:

        “HEPA filters exhibit a minimum efficiency of 99.97% when tested with an aerosol of 0.3 microns.”

These filters were first developed in the 1940s during the Manhattan Project. Initially, they were used to capture small airborne radioactive particles.

Today, you can see them used in various air filtration systems and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) setups in various indoor environments.

Mostly, they are used in:

• Homes: Units like air purifiers for mold, and air purifiers for allergies use HEPA filters.
• Hospitals: Many medical grade air filters are used in hospitals also use such filters to keep the air clean in operating as well as patient rooms.
• Airplanes: Not all aircraft, but most commercial airplanes are equipped with these filters.

Workspaces: Hepa filters are also an important component of commercial air purifiers mostly used in workspaces.

• Car air purifier: Latest cars like Test have built-in HEPA filters
• Laboratories: These are used to stop the spread of infections in microbiological labs. 
• Vacuum clear: they can also be used in vacuum cleaners.

HEPA filter air purifiers are the gold standard in indoor air purification as they are so effective.

 

 

Types of Hepa filter

Not all filters labeled as HEPA filters are as efficient as they should be. Only true HEPA filters meet the tested standards. There are two main types of these filters—true hepa, and hepa-like.

1. True Hepa Filters

These filters strictly meet the tested standard. They can absorb 99.97% of airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. They are used high-quality air scrubbers to ensure high efficiency air filtration. 

Their high level of performance makes them suitable for hospitals, workspaces, homes, industrial settings as well as all spaces where maintaining clean air is critical.

2. Hepa-like Filters
   

 

Hepa-like filters are those filters that don’t strictly meet the standards of a true HEPA and most of such aren’t even tested independently. These filters capture fewer airborne dust particles. You can find them in low-quality air filters and vacuum clears.

Filters that are labeled with HEPA-like, HEPA-type, or HEPA-style claim to produce results close to true HEPA stands. Since these are not validated by independent tests, we don’t know what they are claiming is true or wrong.

So when buying an air filter, don’t forget to check whether it has a HEPA-like or a true HEPA filter. Choosing an air purifier that uses a true HEPA filter is crucial for better results, especially for those with allergies or asthma.

 

What is a Hepa Filter Made of?

 

A HEPA filter is made of a mat of randomly arranged tiny fibers. These fibers are typically composed of glass—although some filters may also be composed of synthetic material like polypropylene. 

The fibers are arranged in several layers to create a maze-like structure to capture particles. So, when air flows through these layered fibers, tiny particles like mold, pollen, dust mites, and other pollutants get stuck in the fibers.

These fibers are extremely thin and exhibit an intricate design. This is why they are very effective at capturing tiny particles.

 

Read More：How To Tell If Your Air Purifier Is Working

 

How Does a Hepa Filter Work?

 

Hepa filters work like a maze of well-intertwined tiny fibers that trap small particles. 

Here is a simple breakdown of how a HEPA filter works:

1. Diffusion

 

The smallest airborne particles are captured through a process called diffusion. These particles move randomly in the air. As they collide with air molecules, their speed goes down and eventually, they hit the fiber. And the fibers catch these tiny airborne particles easily.

2. Interception

 

Airborne particles bigger than 0.1 microns are easier to intercept. When they pass close to the fibers, they stick to fibers instead of flowing through with the air, making your entire home air purifier effective. This process is called interception as the fibers can intercept the right size particles.

Interception helps trap particles such as dust and pollen. The more particles the fibers intercept, the more saturated they become. You need to replace them when they get too saturated. Otherwise, they will become ineffective.

3. Impaction

 

Larger airborne particles and contaminants like mold spores, and bits of dust can’t easily pass through twists and turns of intertwined layers of fibers. So, they hit the fibers and get stuck. This is how air purifiers for mold work. The mechanism is called impaction.

All these processes allow filters in HEPA air scrubbers to capture a large amount of airborne particles to make the air very clean.

 

What is a Hepa Filter Air Purifier

A HEPA filter air purifier is an electrical device that mainly uses HEPA filters to purify the air in your home, or workplace. It pulls in the air from its surroundings and passes it through a HEPA filter. Then, this filter absorbs all the tiny airborne particles such as mold spores, pollen, dust, bacteria, and even some viruses. Once the air is purified, the purifier releases fresh air into its surroundings.

Some of these devices have additional features as well. This makes them more effective.

For example:

Carbon filter air purifier: Besides HEPA, these purifiers have a carbon filter. This allows them to absorb smoke, odors, and gasses. 

UV air purifier: Some air scrubbers use ultraviolet (UV) light alongside HEPA filters to kill harmful microorganisms in the air. 

Ozone air purifier: Such purifiers produce a gas called ozone to help remove some extra air pollutants. Remember ozone can be harmful to your health if not used correctly.

 

Conclusion

 

HEPA filters are a very important component of air purifiers to remove tiny airborne particles. These filters trap air contaminants with very high accuracy, even those with the most challenging sizes that are usually very difficult to capture. 

Remember only true HEPA air scrubbers and purifiers are effective. So make sure to buy the best quality air purifiers from a trusted source.

At AlorairScrubber, we ensure that you get the best services and products. Just visit our shop to buy HEPA air scrubbers and place your order. We will take care of the rest.

Want to know more about us? Explore our website to learn more about us. Feel free to contact us if you have anything to ask.