HEPA Air Purifiers Vs. HEPA Furnace Filters
Posted on: 4 May 2022
Indoor air quality is an important subject that homeowners should have a solid grasp on. Poor air quality in your home can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause other respiratory problems. If you're looking to improve your home's air quality, you may be trying to choose between a HEPA air purifier and a HEPA furnace filter.
Here's a comparison of these two popular options for improving residential air quality to help you find the best solution for your home.
HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA air purifiers are freestanding electronic devices that contain a pleated HEPA filter for cleaning the air. Not all air purifiers are HEPA purifiers; some devices rely on other technologies, such as activated carbon filters or ionization.
The pleated filter in a HEPA air purifier must meet very strict standards to qualify for HEPA certification. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, HEPA filters must be able to remove 99.97 percent of particles above 0.3 microns. That includes contaminants such as dust, pollen, mold, and even bacteria.
The area an electronic air purifier covers will depend on its size. Small HEPA air purifiers are usually designed to clean the air in a single room. These units are lightweight and can easily be moved from room to room. Whole-house HEPA air purifiers are another option, although they are larger and will take up significant space in one room of your home.
HEPA Furnace Filters
Changing your furnace filter is an alternative to using a freestanding air purifier in your home. By upgrading your furnace filter to a HEPA filter, you can rely on your HVAC system for built-in air purification throughout your entire home. But before you install a HEPA furnace filter, hire an HVAC contractor to inspect your system.
HEPA filters are denser than standard disposable filters, and some furnace blowers cannot produce the extra air pressure needed to use them. Furthermore, leaky ductwork could allow airborne contaminants into the system and drastically reduce the filter's effectiveness. An HVAC contractor will determine if any upgrades or repairs are necessary to maximize the efficiency of your new HEPA filter.
Maintaining good indoor air quality is a cornerstone of any healthy home. HEPA air purifiers and HEPA furnace filters are both good options to consider. If you have concerns about the air quality in your home, an HVAC contractor can help you find the best air cleaning solution for your home's specific needs.
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