HEPA Filter Buying Guide
Indoor air isn’t necessarily cleaner than outdoor air. Not only can it easily contain just as many natural allergens as outside, but we inadvertently release more by using materials and products. Aside from the possible off-gassing of building materials, most household cleaning products release a small number of chemicals in the air during or after use. Not to mention the ease with which dust, pet hair and other allergens accumulate in an enclosed environment.
To enjoy better, cleaner air at home, use an air purifier with HEPA air filter technology, like our own eco-friendly Bluepro HEPA air purifiers. If you don’t know what a HEPA filter is, what distinguishes a HEPA vs a non-HEPA air purifier and a UV air purifier vs a HEPA purifier, this is the right article for you. We will look closely at HEPA air purifiers, how they work and their benefits to your everyday life.
What is a HEPA filter, and why do I need one?
A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter comprises a mat of dense, randomly arranged fibres designed to capture particles moving through the filter. An air filter must be capable of trapping 99.97% of all particles measuring 0.3 microns or more that pass through it to meet the strict specifications of being qualified as HEPA.
A HEPA air filter offers effective protection against:
- Dust and dust mites
- Pet dander
- Auto emissions
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Cooking odours
- Fungal spores
- Hairspray
- Large bacteria
- Pollen
- Plant spores
- Mould
What distinguishes a HEPA vs a non-HEPA air purifier and a UV air purifier vs a HEPA purifier?
In comparing a HEPA vs a non-HEPA air purifier, certain qualities and benefits must be noted. Regular or non-HEPA air purifiers can improve indoor air quality as they capture 90% of air contaminants. However, HEPA air purifiers like the Bluepro High Grade HEPA H13 Desktop Air Purifiers are more effective and can trap 99.97% of contaminants from the air, making it cleaner and healthier for you.
The main difference between a HEPA air purifier and a UV light air purifier is that, as the name says, the latter utilises specific ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths to destroy certain particles in the air. So while they both purify indoor air and trap smaller air pollutants than standard air purifiers, UV air purifiers are more apt at targeting pathogens like viruses and bacteria. However, one downside of UV air purifiers is that some models emit ozone, which can irritate the respiratory organs, including the lungs. They are also ineffective against some common air pollutants that HEPA air purifiers can capture, thanks to their small mesh filter.
What factors should you consider when buying a HEPA air purifier?
When choosing which HEPA air purifiers is best for your needs, consider the following factors:
- Convenience — Portable HEPA air purifiers, like the Bluepro High Grade HEPA H13 Portable Air Purifier, are convenient options as you can use them wherever you need them.
- Room size — High-quality HEPA air purifiers can clean a room measuring roughly between 83 and 139 square metres. If the air purifier is too small for the space, you won’t notice its effect on the air quality of the room, so always check the air purifier's capacity.
- Ozone generation — Ozone is sometimes released during air purification. Although it is meant to clean and sanitise the air, it’s also a pollutant that can damage the lungs when inhaled. Air cleaners that release ozone should not be operated in confined spaces used regularly. This is why none of the Bluepro HEPA air purifiers releases ozone.
We hope we have answered your questions about HEPA vs non-HEPA air purifiers and UV air purifiers vs HEPA air purifiers well, but if you would like any more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us. At Bluepro, we are committed to providing fresh air solutions to uplift the living quality of our fellow Australians and would be more than happy to help you in your quest for purer air.