| HEPA air purifiers are just one of many types of | | | | are light weight, and come in a variety of styles |
| filtration systems used to clean the air in an | | | | to fit your décor. |
| enclosed space like a home or office. Originally | | | | HEPA filters can also be installed into your heating |
| created by the military in the 1940s to deal with | | | | and air conditioning unit, but would have to remain |
| radioactive particles, they are still very effective | | | | behind if you move. Uninstalling the system would |
| and widely used in the private sector. | | | | be difficult, and may not fit the air system you |
| HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air. | | | | have in your new home. |
| The Department of Energy certifies each filter, | | | | These air purifiers can be beneficial in any home. |
| and they are most commonly used to remove | | | | It is generally known that indoor air is more |
| pollen, dust, and other common air contaminants. | | | | polluted than outdoor air most of the time. If you |
| HEPA filters are certified to remove 99.97% of | | | | suffer from asthma or allergies, a HEPA purifier |
| particulates from the air that measure .03 microns | | | | can be even more useful, since it will remove |
| or larger. | | | | particulates that may trigger an asthma attack, or |
| The filter is made from a glass fiber sheet that is | | | | dust and pollen that may cause an allergic reaction. |
| pleated like paper. Corrugated aluminum | | | | These filters are usually quiet and unobtrusive |
| separators are placed between the pleats. They | | | | when in operation. They are also very energy |
| are then bonded to a sturdy base to create the | | | | efficient. |
| core of the filter. Filters must be changed | | | | There are however a few drawbacks. They do |
| occasionally for optimum performance. Filters can | | | | not safeguard your family against bacteria and |
| also be expensive. The filter system works by | | | | viruses until the old filter is removed and replaced. |
| drawing air in through a fan. The fiber sheet traps | | | | They can be ineffective in large areas. Due to the |
| larger particles, while small particulates get trapped | | | | glass fiber, the filters can easily be damaged |
| within the charcoal core of the filter. One of the | | | | during installation, and since they are expensive, |
| best things about them is they do not emit any | | | | that can be a definite problem when that happens. |
| secondary pollutants or byproducts like ozone. | | | | And of course the filters must be changed |
| There are two basic designs... straight and | | | | regularly to remain effective. |
| unidirectional. A straight filter draws air in from the | | | | HEPA air purifiers are still an industry standard, |
| back and blows it out the front. A unidirectional | | | | more than sixty years after they were first |
| unit takes in air from all directions, and blows it | | | | invented. They are proven to work well, and still |
| out in all directions. This is best for cleaning the air | | | | provide fresh, clean air in offices, homes and |
| of a large room. These portable filter systems | | | | other areas to people everywhere. |