What Is True HEPA Filter? True HEPA Filters Explained

While this is true, few people even understand the best way to ensure that the air they breathe is fresh. Personally, it took me close to a decade to realize what I needed to enjoy fresh air. Thankfully, I have the perfect solution today.

The use of an air purifier is the solution. However, not every air purifier will give you what you need. Air purifiers with True HEPA filters are the ideal options. They are efficient, easy to use and come with undisputed benefits.

Today, I fill tell you everything you should know about HEPA filters. My hope is that by the end of my post you can make a sound choice. First, let us start with understanding what True HEPA filter is.

What is True HEPA filter?

The word HEPA is a simple acronym that stands forHigh Efficiency Particulate Air. In other quarters it can also stand for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance.

HEPA is used to refer to a type of air filter that’s manufactured, tested, labeled and certified in line with the requirements of the current HEPA filtration standards.

True HEPA filters, therefore, refer to the “real” HEPA filters that have met these standards. They are air purifiers filters that captureair contaminating particles up to 99.97 percent.

The particles must be as small as 0.3 microns. More importantly, they should have the capacity to capture a range of contaminants including:

NOTE: Some air purifier that have True HEPA Type filters can capture up to 2 microns sized particles. It is this ability to eliminate the tiniest contaminants that determine the Clean Air Delivery Rate of a purifier/filter.

The Truth About True HEPA Filters

The truth about True HEPA Filters is this. True HEPA filters are often made out of highly dense paper. The filtration paper is made of extremely thin fibers that are paced between distances of 0.3 and 2.0 microns.

The fiber papers are usually distributed in a random pattern and also oriented in every direction for better performance.

In fact, many people assume that the immediate air space that exists between these fibers must always be smaller than or equal to 0.3 microns. With such a setting, they believe that it is possible for the True HEPA filters to capture any type of contaminants including what we have listed above.

However, that’s not usually the case. Unlike what many believe, True HEPA filters will need a smart design to enable them to target ultra-fine particles of contaminants. This design involves the combination of three main physical mechanisms:

Inertial Impaction

This is the first mechanism that this system requires. This technology works simply and guarantees the best performance too. It is a technology that guarantees that filtration fibers are distributed randomly. Why is it important?

As the large or heavier particles flow through the filter, they often follow a straight line/ streamlined pattern. This means that if the fibers are randomly distributed then there is a higher chance that these particles will be captured.

Interception Mechanism

This mechanism works for particles that are a little smaller than the large ones. These particles do not collide easily. This means they flow much more fluidly and in so doing need a better trapping mechanism.

To ensure that they are captured, the distance between the flow and that of the filtration fibers edge must be smaller than the particles (that’s why it is set at 0.3 to 2 microns).

Diffusion Technology

Finally, we have the diffusion technology. Diffusion technology is the most important mechanism of a True HEPA filter. It has the capacity to eliminate the tiniest particles of any contaminant.

Since now the particles are smaller and stand at about 0.3 microns, they won’t have to go with a streamline design. Instead, they can easily move around randomly since they collide more with the molecules of the gas.

Eventually, they move even faster. With such a higher movement, speed, and freedom, the probability is even higher that these particles will enter the fiber. So, ideally, with reduced particle sizes, diffusion becomes an integral mechanism.

NOTE: The combination of these three technologies is what makes True HEPA filters a high-end system for air purifiers. That’s why it hits up to 99.97 percent elimination capacity.

What is the difference between HEPA and true HEPA?

There are several differences that you might pick between HEPA and true HEPA filters. However, the major ones are these.

Filtration Capacity

The main difference between the true HEPA and regular HEPA-type filter is their level of efficiency. Unlike HEPA filters, the True HEPA filters are capable of removing the smallest particles.

They are not limited to the 85 to 90 percent mark like regular HEPA filters are. Instead, they will hit up to 99.97 percent clearance capacity for any airborne particle.

Filter Lifespan

True HEPA filters also prolong the lifespan of the filters. It helps the filters to work better and to perform more efficiently. This is possible since True Hepa filters combine three main technologies that prevent any strain when filtering out any type of contaminant.

Bacterial Removal

Additional Tip:

Both HEPA filters are made out of the borosilicate glass fiber. They can also be forged from plastic fibers such as polypropylene.

The fibers are usually bound together through the introduction of up to 5% of an acrylic binder. This is the same compound that is often used to bind latex paint to the house.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apart from what we have seen, let me also give you a few questions that will help you to understand True HEPA filters better. Take a look.

Are HEPA type purifiers bad?

No. True HEPA filters for the best air purifiers have the capacity to capture up to 99.97 percent of pollutants. The pollutants are often particles that are as small as 0.3 microns including a higher range of allergens and odors.

This means that they are highly efficient and will clear most types of air pollutants including pet dander, pollen, and dust. The result is a higher CADR capacity.

Are all HEPA filters the same?

No not at all. All HEPA filters are not the same. There are many major significant differences that you’ll find in the HEPA filters that are today designed by the air purifier brands.

The differences that you’ll come across are usually determined by several factors including the following:

The best examples are imminent at the different technologies that different types of brands have employed today.

NOTE: The use of ionizer will cause the buildup of an electrostatic charge on any particles that come into contact with the fibers so that they are easily absorbed.

How to Determine a True HEPA Filter

How can you tell that your air purifier has the best True HEPA filter? Well, I will give you a few pointers to that effect.

First, make sure that your filters meet the set standards by the U.S. Department of Energy. These standards include:

NOTE: If you watch all these tips you should get the best HEPA filter for your use. However, you should also pay a close attention to the following additional tip that I have include in the section below.

Additional Tip:

You will also notice when looking to buy an air filter that many different terms are used to describe these filters. These terms include terms such as:

• HEPA-type
• HEPA-like

How to Clean HEPA filters?

There are two sides to cleaning your True HEPA air filter. The first part is if your HEPA filter is not labelled as washable you must not clean it. If you do, you will damage your HEPA filter.

However you can go ahead and clean it.  Nonetheless, you must make sure that you understand how to clean the HEPA filter.

Cleaning your air filter is easy though. First, you need to remove the HEPA filter from your air purifier.

Once it is removed, you can then tap it lightly over the garbage until the trapped dirt falls out and once the built-up dirt and also debris is out get the manual.

Now check the filter’s product manual and determine what it says. If the manual says the HEPA filter is washable you can rinse the filter until the water is clear and clean.

To clean your true HEPA air purifier filter, here are some pointers that you must follow all the way through.

Pros & Cons of True HEPA filter

While many people run for regular air filters without knowing the type they are going for, it is important to choose True HEPA Filters. Why is this necessary? True HEPA filters have so many benefits that you will find to be helpful.

Pros

Cons

Conclusion