HEPA filters are renowned for their ability to reduce particles such as dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. If you're looking to protect your family from these types of particles, updating your air filters with a HEPA filter is a great way to do so. HEPA filters are effective at trapping larger particles, such as pet dander, pollen, and dust mites. However, they are not suitable for removing mold, VOCs, viruses, bacteria, and small particles smaller than 0.3 microns from the air.
Consumer Reports found that the HEPA vacuums they tested were good at removing pet hair. HEPA filters can help remove most airborne particles that could worsen allergies. But it's important to remember that there are other sources of allergens and irritants in your home, such as carpets, bedding and curtains, and countertops and tables. Therefore, it is important to keep these areas clean and eliminate the source of allergens and irritants where possible.
The three most common appliances that use HEPA filters are whole-house filtration systems designed to treat complete HVAC systems, portable air purifiers, and vacuums. When connected to a vacuum, HEPA filters can capture smaller particles that might not otherwise be trapped by the vacuum, providing additional relief for allergy sufferers and cleaner air for everyone. However, it is important to note that while HEPA filters can help reduce airborne particles in your home, they cannot guarantee the removal of all allergens due to open doors and windows allowing millions of particles to enter the air. When it comes to replacing your HEPA filter, the recommended replacement rate varies from appliance to appliance and depends on how much air is drawn through the filter (and how dirty the air is).
Generally speaking, you can expect to change HEPA filters at least twice as much as you would for non-HEPA filters. It is also important to note that while some products may claim to be based on HEPA filters, they have not been tested or certified to meet the DOE standards for HEPA filters. As you can see above, HEPA has many deficiencies when it comes to submicron particles such as VOCs and viruses. Therefore, users should not assume that an air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter will fully protect them from infection.
Fortunately, the airborne particles that trigger allergy symptoms are relatively large in size and are easily trapped with a HEPA filter. In the 1960s, HEPA filters were being introduced to the consumer market as filters for HVAC units, vacuums and stand-alone air purifiers. If you're considering buying an appliance with a built-in HEPA filter, it's important to understand what these filters can (and can't) do to help improve the air quality in your home. The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has now regulated that products based on HEPA filters can no longer make that claim.
However, just because a filter or vacuum bag says HEPA doesn't mean you're getting true HEPA performance. Ultraviolet light can also be effective in inactivating coronavirus, so healthcare organizations, hospitals, and schools have used a combination of HEPA and UVGI filters to filter recirculated air. This combination of technologies is more effective than using either one alone. It is also important to note that terms such as 'HEPA-like' or 'HEPA-type' do not indicate that the filters actually comply with the HEPA standard. In conclusion, if you're looking for an effective way to reduce airborne particles in your home then a HEPA filter is worth considering. While they cannot guarantee the removal of all allergens due to open doors and windows allowing millions of particles to enter the air, they are effective at trapping larger particles such as pet dander, pollen, and dust mites.