Hepa Filters Versus Standard Filters

If you have an air conditioning system or other form of ventilation the chances are that it will use filters as part of its process. Filters are possibly one of the things that you pay little thought to as they are inside the air conditioner and only need to be changed every so often. However you might be surprised to know that using a poor quality filter could be preventing your air conditioner from working as well as it should be.

HEPA filters are very different from a standard filter in that their construction is unique. Each HEPA filter is a mat that is made up of different sized fibres all woven over and under each other creating a mesh like structure. The holes in this mesh at tiny, so tiny in fact that a HEPA filter can trap a particle that is 0.3 micrometres - this size of particle is the hardest to trap and is known as the most penetrating particle size - or MPPS and HEPA filters trap 99.997% this size of particle. Compare this to a standard filter that will trap around 90% of the larger particles and you can see the difference.

HEPA filters trap particles because of their construction which allows particles to move through the filter before being trapped. So if a particle is not caught in the first layer of a HEPA filter there is an almost 100% chance that it will get trapped on one of the other layers. In fact HEPA filters are so efficient at trapping large and small airborne particles that hospitals use them to fight the spread of bacterial infections.

Perhaps that you still need convincing that HEPA filters are better than the ones that you are currently using? Well you might be surprised to learn that the majority of filters that are installed in air conditioners and other ventilation devices are used to remove only the largest particles from the air to prevent them from damaging the air conditioning system. When you consider that you are buying air conditioning to provide a fresh source of air for you and your family you really should be getting the very best filters fitted.

Standard filters do perform their job adequately but why settle for second best when you could have a filter that you know that you can trust? HEPA filters are not just used in ventilation systems they are now also used in vacuum cleaners. Having a HEPA filter vacuum can make the world of difference to someone who suffers from indoor allergies as they can virtually eliminate particles trapped in carpets and upholstery ready to be disposed of. HEPA vacuum cleaners also have tremendous suction power which means that they also clean more efficiently and retain more dirt than a standard vacuum.

So if you suffer from indoor allergies, or just want to make sure that you are getting the freshest, purest air in your home choose a HEPA filter. If you need help and advice on fitting HEPA filters to your air conditioner or ventilation system, contact your local HVAC technician who can help you with all your home ventilation and heating problems.