Humans are exposed to a variety of contaminants and allergens daily. In some cases, exposure can be minimized through personal protective equipment. Other times, it’s simply unavoidable.
Many businesses invest in air filtration systems to protect workers from these harmful substances and reduce the risk of contamination or cross-contamination in an indoor environment.
These devices have numerous applications in a commercial setting, including removing dust particles, fumigating a space with pesticides, or sterilizing an area with ultraviolet light.
HEPA filters are a highly efficient way to filter out airborne particles, making them an invaluable tool in the home and workplace.
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air and is considered one of the most effective air filtration technologies. HEPA filters trap tiny particles like dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and other hazardous materials from the air.
HEPA filters were originally designed during World War II to protect against radioactive particles released from nuclear testing. Since then, HEPA filters have been used in hospitals, schools, homes, and commercial buildings to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
3 Types Of Filters You’ll Find In Commercial Settings
Air Purifiers
HEPA air purifiers use a combination of filtration methods to remove allergens and contaminants from the air. They’re helpful in reducing the amount of dust particles in the air, as well as controlling odors.
An air purifier typically consists of a fan, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and air pre-filter to capture smaller particles. Air purifiers are usually used in spaces where there’s a need for frequent air exchange, such as laboratories and medical facilities.
A HEPA air purifier typically requires frequent filter replacement, depending on usage and the type of HEPA filter used.
Air Filters
Air filters are great for removing larger particles in the air, such as pet dander, dust, and pollen. They’re often installed in medical or laboratory settings to provide a sterile environment.
A HEPA-type filter captures the tiniest particles, while a pre-filter catches larger particles. HEPA filters are typically more efficient than other filters, making them an excellent choice for HEPA air filtering.
Air Conditioners
Air conditioners are great for reducing the amount of dust and pollen in the air. However, they cannot remove other contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, and odors.
Clean air HEPA filters are often used in air conditioners to help reduce the amount of contaminants that enter a building. Air cleaners with HEPA filtration will help improve indoor air quality and protect people from harmful airborne particles.
What Is A HEPA Filter?
A High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filter is designed to trap microscopic particles, such as allergens, pollen, and bacteria. It can trap at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger in diameter. When installed in a building, HEPA filters are helpful in reducing indoor air pollution.
They’re often found in healthcare settings, laboratories, and commercial buildings. HEPA filters are also used in home ventilation systems. When comparing HEPA filters with other types of filters, it’s important to note that a HEPA filter does not remove chemical contaminants.
Other filters may be used with a HEPA filter to eliminate indoor air pollution. True HEPA filters are identified by their certification, a quality assurance standard.
How Do HEPA Filters Work?
HEPA filters force air through a fine mesh of interwoven fibers. These HEPA filter fibers are typically made from synthetic materials like polypropylene or glass fiber.
The HEPA filter's mesh is designed with tiny, overlapping pores that capture particles as small as 0.3 microns in size. This means HEPA filters can effectively remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles (including bacteria, pollen, mold spores, and dust mites).
HEPA filters also use electrostatic attraction to trap smaller particles that would otherwise slip through the HEPA filter’s mesh. These tiny charged particles attach themselves to the HEPA filter’s walls when they come into contact with it, making them easy to capture and remove from the air.
HEPA filters remove almost all the particles from the air that passes through them, both large and small. These filters differ from other filter types because they can remove nearly all particulate matter.
Any object smaller than a specific size cannot pass through a HEPA filter, which stands for high-efficiency particulate air filter. Many different types of filters are used in an industrial setting to help reduce airborne contaminants. Some filters use chemical reactions to remove unwanted gasses or vapors.
Others have porous surfaces on which bacteria will grow, trapping any harmful particles they come into contact with while growing there. Still, others use mechanical means to trap particles as they move through the filter.
A HEPA filter uses several different processes at once to trap so much particulate matter that it cannot pass through the filter. Let’s take a look at how this happens.
What Is A HEPA Filter Made Of?
A HEPA filter is made of an extremely fine fiber mesh. These fibers can be as tiny as one-thousandth of a centimeter wide. It is crucial to have a very fine mesh in a HEPA filter because smaller particles will travel more slowly through the filter, giving it more time to trap them.
A HEPA filter can be made of metal, metal-coated plastic, or a high-strength synthetic fiber called polyester. The metal-coated plastic and polyester options are less expensive than metal, but they cannot be washed and reused as quickly because they are more porous than metal.
HEPA Filter Construction
The HEPA filters construction allows it to remove almost all particles from the air. First, the filter is placed over a frame. This frame often has wheels, making moving the filter easy.
The frame also has an airflow rate indicator, which tells you how much air is flowing through the filter. This is important when you are cleaning or replacing the filter. The filter is placed over a frame with a wire mesh.
This mesh is very finely woven and is supported by a frame made of plastic or metal. This mesh is porous, but only so small particles (such as pollen, mold spores, and other allergens) can pass through it.
Mesh Size Matters
The mesh size on a HEPA filter is important because it determines what particles will be trapped. Smaller mesh can trap smaller particles, while larger mesh can trap larger particles. The mesh size on a HEPA filter is typically less than three thousandths of an inch.
This is so fine that it can trap microscopic particles, such as bacteria and viruses, that are invisible to the naked eye. A particle of dust is measured in microns. The finer the mesh, the smaller the micron size is, and therefore, the smaller the particle size is.
Air Pressure Is Key
Air pressure plays a significant role in the function of the HEPA filter. The lower the pressure of the air entering the filter, the more particles it will trap. A HEPA filter will filter out particles from the air with a pressure of 0.3 microns or less.
A pressure gauge is used to measure the airflow's pressure through the filter. The filter is placed between the source of airflow and the gauge. The clean air delivery rate of HEPA filters is measured in cubic feet per minute.
0.3 Micron Filters Are The Key
The filter's size determines what kinds of particles it can trap. The smaller the particles are, the smaller the filter needs to be to trap them. A particle size of 0.3 microns is one of the most common filter sizes in the industrial world. This capture microscopic particles that may be invisible to the naked eye.
A 0.3-micron filter is used to trap the smallest and most harmful particles that are present in the air. This includes bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. A HEPA filter with a 0.3-micron rating can remove 99.97% of all particles from the air. This is because the filter is so fine that it can trap particles that are smaller than 0.3 microns.
Ultraviolet Light Plays A Role
Ultraviolet light is used to sterilize all types of filters and helps kill bacteria and viruses trapped in the HEPA filter. When UV light is shined on a filter, it causes the chemical bonds in the filter to break down. This causes the filter to release carbon dioxide, which is odorless and non-toxic.
A UV filter will kill the harmful particles trapped in the filter, so the air that is released from the filter is completely clean. UV light is a powerful sterilization method that can be used with many different types of filters, including HEPA filters.
The 3-Stage Process Of A HEPA Filter
There are three stages to the process of a HEPA filter cleaning the air. The first is the interception stage, where the filter traps large particles such as dust and pollen. The second is the penetration stage, where the filter traps smaller particles that are between 0.3 microns and 0.1 microns.
The third is the metabolic stage, where the filter traps smaller particles between 0.1 and 0.03 microns. The metabolic stage is responsible for nearly all of the airflow reduction from a HEPA filter. It can be challenging to clean the filter because it traps the tiniest of particles.
How Are HEPA Filters Cleaned?
A HEPA filter is cleaned in a process called “regeneration.” There are several different regeneration methods, but they all involve turning on an intense source of heat and airflow while the filter is placed in a closed room.
The most common is a filter regeneration method that uses an electric heater and a blower fan. The filter is placed over a grate, and the heater is turned on. The fan blows hot air through the filter, drying it out and killing any bacteria or viruses trapped within it.
The filter is then turned over and placed on a grate with an open mesh. This allows air to flow through the filter, cleaning up all the trapped particles. Finally, the filter is dried entirely before being returned to service.
As you can see, a HEPA filter does more than just remove allergens from the air. It removes all types of particles, including bacteria and viruses. A HEPA filter comprises several stages, each of which contributes to trapping particles from the air.
Key Factors In Choosing The Location For A HEPA Filter
Where you install the air filter will significantly impact which filter is best for your needs. Here are some of the major factors to keep in mind when choosing the location for a HEPA filter:
Expected Airflow
The expected airflow is a huge factor in deciding what type of filter to use. There are better choices than a HEPA filter for an area with high airflow. You’ll need a filter that is rated to handle a higher amount of airflow.
Airflow Direction
You also have to consider the direction of the airflow. If warm air blows in one direction and the filter is on the other side, it will not be effective.
Expected Contaminants
Another factor to consider when choosing the best filter is the type of contaminants in the air. A HEPA filter will be a good choice if you expect a lot of dust.
Where Are HEPA Filters Used?
Humans spend almost a third of their lives in indoor environments, which can expose them to various contaminants. This is why many modern buildings have implemented green technologies that help improve indoor air quality.
These filters are often used in ventilation systems or other devices to remove unpleasant odors, dust, and other airborne particles. An efficient filter media should be able to trap the smallest possible particles while allowing useful airflow to pass through.
This can be achieved by using High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter technology with these properties:
Homes With Pets
If you have pets in your home, you must take extra precautions to ensure that your home is as clean as possible. A HEPA filter can be a great way to trap odors and pet dander in your home. You’ll want a filter that is rated for high efficiency but is also small enough to fit on a wall or ceiling. These filters can help keep your home clean and smelling fresh.
School Cafeterias And Dining Areas
If you work in a school cafeteria or a dining area, you likely need to install filters in your ventilation system. A HEPA filter can be an excellent choice for this type of environment. These filters can reduce the amount of dust and other contaminants in the air. This can help improve the health of those who work in the area.
Offices And Workspaces
If you work in an office environment, you may need to install filters in your ventilation system. A HEPA filter can be an excellent choice for this type of environment. These filters can reduce the amount of dust and other contaminants in the air. This can help improve the health of those who work in the area.
Builders Use It In Construction Sites
When you are doing work on a construction site, you want to protect yourself from contaminants such as dirt and dust. A HEPA filter can be a great way to do this. These filters can help keep your body free from contaminants that may be in the air. This can help keep you safe from any potential health issues.
Airports Use It As Well
When you’re in an airport, you want to be sure that the air is clean and safe to breathe. A HEPA filter can be a great way to do this. These filters can help keep contaminants out of the air. This can help make airport terminals cleaner and safer.
Homes And Offices Use Them
HEPA filters can be a great choice for anyone who wants to improve the quality of the air in their home or office. These filters can help reduce the amount of dust and other contaminants in the air.
This can help improve the health of those who spend time in the area. The air in your home or office isn’t always clean. Contaminants such as dust, pet dander, and allergens can be present. A HEPA filter can help reduce the amount of pollutants in the air.
In summary, we have discussed when, where, and how HEPA filters are used. HEPA filters are used to trap 99.97% of particles that are 0.3 microns or larger. They are commonly used in homes, offices, schools, and more.
They are commonly used in ventilation systems or other devices to remove unpleasant odors, dust, and other airborne particles. Where you install the air filter will significantly impact which filter is best for your needs.
Are HEPA Filters Effective?
Yes, HEPA filters are highly effective at removing airborne particles from the air. HEPA filters are so efficient that they can capture and remove up to 99.97% of all particles that pass through them – making them a powerful tool for improving indoor air quality.
HEPA filters are also long-lasting, with most HEPA filter varieties designed to last for two years or more before needing to be replaced.
5 Benefits Of Installing A HEPA Filter
Protect Workers From Harmful Contaminants
Air contaminants can be harmful to human health, especially in large quantities. If workers are regularly exposed to contaminants and allergens in the air, it can affect their productivity.
Reduce The Risk Of Cross-Contamination
Contaminants and allergens play a role in the growth of bacteria, which can lead to cross-contamination. Contamination can result in the spreading of disease, as well as food poisoning outbreaks.
Reduce The Risk Of Contracting An Illness
HEPA filters are capable of trapping and removing harmful particles from the air. By installing a HEPA filter, it’s possible to reduce the risk of contracting an illness or disease.
Minimize The Risk Of Litigation
A poorly maintained or contaminated building can result in high medical costs. In some cases, it can even lead to death. When this happens, the victim’s family may sue the responsible business. Installing a HEPA filter can help reduce the risk of incurring high costs due to a lawsuit.
Improve Air Quality
By properly maintaining a HEPA filter, it’s possible to improve the air quality in a commercial building. This is especially helpful in indoor environments that regularly experience high humidity, such as laboratories.
Surprising Health Benefits of HEPA Filters: How They Can Improve Your Life!
HEPA filters are commonly found in high-end vacuum cleaners and other air-purifying devices. Most people know that these filters have something to do with trapping dirt, dust, and other particulates from the air being circulated.
You might not know that HEPA filters also offer a surprising number of secondary benefits that can improve your quality of life. In this section, we will discuss the health benefits of HEPA filters and some helpful tips for improving your home’s air quality.
Improve Your Breathing
One of the most prominent health benefits of HEPA filters is that they can improve your breathing. As air circulates through high-quality filters, large particles like dust, dander, and hair are trapped. This traps allergens, increasing the air quality of your home and making it easier to breathe.
These filters are also able to trap smaller particles that may be present in the air in dangerous amounts, such as mold, bacteria, and carbon monoxide. By removing these toxins from the air, your lungs can function more efficiently, and you will breathe easier.
Reduce Allergies And Asthma Symptoms
As discussed above, one of the most notable health benefits of HEPA filters is the reduction of allergens in your home’s air. Allergens are the root cause of many allergies, including hay fever, asthma, and eczema.
By trapping these allergens in your home’s air, HEPA filters can reduce your symptoms and make a living with allergies much more manageable. Some HEPA filters are specifically designed to trap allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
These are great for people who are particularly allergic to certain substances. By trapping dangerous allergens in the air, you can reduce the effects of your allergies and breathe easier.
Remove Dangerous Toxins From The Air
As we discussed above, HEPA filters can trap many particles in the air. While most of these are harmful particles like dust and dander, many contain dangerous toxins. Depending on the filter, you may be able to remove substances like benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene.
These are hazardous substances that are commonly found in indoor air. Formaldehyde is used in many commercial products, including household cleaners, cosmetics, and building materials. It can be found in almost any home with laminate flooring or pressed wood furniture.
Benzene and xylene are common in gasoline and other fuel sources. All three toxins are incredibly harmful to your health, and the only way to remove them from the air is with high-quality air filters.
Help You Lose Weight
HEPA filters can also remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air. These are chemicals commonly found in paints, cleaning products, and pungent odors from food. While they may be pleasant smelling to us, VOCs are toxic to the human body.
A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that people exposed to high levels of these chemicals gained weight more quickly than those exposed to lower levels. Removing dangerous chemicals from the air can reduce your exposure and help prevent weight gain.
Boost Your Immune System
HEPA filters can trap and remove harmful particles from your home’s air. Removing allergens, toxic chemicals, and microorganisms helps to create a clean, healthy environment. This boosts your immune system and prevents the spreading of bacteria and viruses such as the common cold and influenza.
By improving the air quality in your home, you can boost your immune system and reduce the chance of getting sick. This is especially helpful to people who are already vulnerable, like the elderly and young children.
In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that half of the energy consumption goes towards heating and cooling indoor environments. This puts pressure on your HVAC system and can reduce indoor air quality. Investing in HEPA filters can help reduce this pressure and improve your home’s air quality.
Help Correct Indoor Air Quality Problems.
Air quality problems can arise from several sources. These include VOCs, dangerous particulates, and bacteria and viruses resistant to cleaning. By trapping these harmful substances and removing them from the air, HEPA filters can help correct several indoor air quality problems.
For example, if unpleasant smells arise from your home’s HVAC system, a high-quality HEPA filter can help alleviate that problem. HEPA filters are commonly used to trap odors from pets, smoking, mold, and other foul smells. If you have an air quality problem in your home, you can use a HEPA filter to correct it.
Improved Mood And Energy
Another surprising health benefit of HEPA filters is that they can boost your mood and energy. By cleaning your home’s air of dangerous toxins, allergens, and large particulates, you can breathe easier and feel more energized.
Improved air quality can help correct mood disorders, and a clean, healthy home is better for everyone. By removing harmful pollutants from your home’s air, you can boost your mood and feel more energized.
This is especially helpful to people who suffer from allergies or other illnesses that may be exacerbated by poor air quality. HVAC systems have been known to cause and spread diseases, so HEPA filters can help reduce the risk of getting sick.
Better Sleep And Reduced Insomnia
Air quality can also affect your sleep. Although you don’t breathe while you sleep, your body is still in contact with the air around it. When your home’s air is contaminated with harmful particles, it can lead to poor sleep and insomnia.
A study published by the National Sleep Foundation found that poor air quality can lead to sleep disorders and make it more difficult to fall asleep. Removing harmful pollutants and particulates from the air can correct poor air quality and help improve your sleep.
Increase The Brightness Of Your Home’s Interior
Finally, one of the most surprising health benefits of HEPA filters is that they can increase the brightness of your home’s interior. Air quality problems can lead to dull, dingy rooms that feel stuffy and cluttered.
By cleaning the air of pollutants, toxins, and particulates, you can increase the brightness of your home and make it feel more spacious. This is especially helpful to people who work from home and suffer from a cluttered, stuffy atmosphere. Investing in HEPA filters and other air-purifying devices can brighten your home's interior and make it healthier.
HEPA filters are commonly found in high-end vacuum cleaners and other air-purifying devices. These filters can trap many harmful particles from the air, including allergens, bacteria, and toxic chemicals.
This improves your breathing, reduces allergies and asthma symptoms, and helps correct indoor air quality problems. It also boosts your immune system and helps correct indoor air quality problems.
It improves your mood and energy, helps correct indoor air quality problems, and increases the brightness of your home’s interior. Overall, these filters offer a surprising number of secondary benefits that can improve your quality of life and make your home healthier.
Things To Know Before You Buy A HEPA Filter
Location Of The Filter
The location of the filter, as well as its accessibility, is vital to consider before purchasing a commercial HEPA filter. If the filter is located in an area where it will cause an inconvenience, such as blocking a doorway, it’s a good idea to consider a smaller, portable model.
Size Of The Filter
To effectively clean the air in a commercial space, a filter must be large enough to clean a substantial amount of air. It’s essential to consider the size of the filter when purchasing a commercial HEPA filter to ensure it’s able to clean the space effectively.
Filter Efficiency
It’s essential to consider the efficiency of a filter before purchasing a commercial HEPA filter. If the filter cannot clean a substantial amount of air, it may be necessary to install additional filters.
Maintenance Requirements
HEPA filters require regular maintenance in order to operate effectively. It’s essential to consider the maintenance requirements for a filter before purchasing one for your commercial space.
When to Use a HEPA Filter
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Research laboratories - Laboratories that research biological or chemical contaminants use HEPA filters to contain these contaminants and prevent them from escaping the lab.
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Hospitals and healthcare facilities - HEPA filters are used in hospitals and other healthcare settings to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of disease.
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Food preparation areas - HEPA filters can be used in food preparation areas to prevent the spread of contaminants and foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella.
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Manufacturing plants - HEPA filters can prevent contaminants, such as dust, from contaminating the product.
When To Not Use A HEPA Filter
Areas With Low Levels Of Contamination
If the level of contamination in an area is very low, it’s not necessary to install a HEPA filter. In these situations, it may be more cost-effective to clean the air with fans or air conditioners.
Areas That Require Precise Airflow
If an area requires precise airflow, such as an HVAC system, there are better ideas than installing a HEPA filter. In these situations, a HEPA filter may cause airflow to become less precise. It’s better to either clean the air using a fan or use a different type of filter.
HEPA Filter Maintenance Tips For Your Home And Office
You know that maintaining your equipment is crucial when it comes to keeping your indoor air clean and healthy. You also understand that filtering the air in your home and office is essential to keeping you safe from contaminants.
We all know about HEPA filters, which are great for catching particulate matter and other small particles. But you could use some additional info on how to conduct routine maintenance on them so they continue to work as effectively as possible throughout their lifespan.
That’s why we’re sharing these helpful tips on maintaining your HEPA filter so it continues to work optimally over time!
Change Filters Monthly (Or More Often)
While the lifespan of your filter will depend on your filter's type, brand, and quality, you should constantly be monitoring when it’s time to get a new one. We recommend changing your filters between every 30 and 60 days.
Run your filter in a small room and check it every few days to see how it looks. If a lot of particles are captured, you can extend the filters lifespan. However, it's time to replace your filter if you notice very little particulate matter being captured.
Rotate Your Filters
Just as you should be changing your filters on a regular basis, you should also be rotating your filters. This ensures that you’re always utilizing the clean side of the filter.
Keep in mind that rotating your filters is especially crucial if you’re running multiple units in your home or office. You don’t want to contract one filter simultaneously with the other in operation. Rotating your filters will ensure that one filter isn’t working harder than the others to catch all the particulate matter.
Use Proprietary Cleaning Agents
If your filter looks clogged (or if you’re trying to clean it to extend the lifespan of the filter), you can use a proprietary cleaning agent.
We recommend using a cleaning agent that is compatible with your particular filter. If you’re unsure what cleaning agent is best, reach out to your filter manufacturer. They can give you all the information you need to clean your filter safely and effectively.
Vacuum The Filter During Dry Time
If your filter is wet, you should use a proprietary cleaning agent. But if it’s dry, you can vacuum the filter. This can help remove trapped particles that might be clogging the filter, leading to quicker clogging and a shorter lifespan for your filter. If your filter is dirty, it means that it’s working. That said, you should clean it regularly to extend the lifespan of your filter.
Don’t Use Excessive Pressure When Cleaning.
Be careful when cleaning filters not to use excessive pressure. Doing so could cause damage to the filter. While you may be tempted to give it a vigorous scrubbing, cleaning filters with gentle, even strokes is best.
Pro Tip: Use A UV Light To Fight Off Odors
If your filter starts to smell, you can use UV light to fight off odors naturally. This is a simple and cost-efficient way to keep your filter smelling fresh and clean! Another great way to keep your filter smelling fresh is to place a couple of baking soda boxes on top of the filter.
The baking soda will naturally absorb odors, leaving your filter smelling fresh and clean. These helpful tips on how to best maintain your HEPA filter are great for keeping your indoor air clean and healthy. Remember that maintaining your equipment is crucial when it comes to keeping your indoor air clean and healthy.
Concluding Words: Is It Time To Install A HEPA Filter?
HEPA air filters effectively reduce indoor air pollutants and improve air quality. But when it comes time to install a HEPA filter, it’s important to know that it’s not a “one-size-fits-all” type of filter.
Each commercial building is different, and installing more than one filter may be necessary to clean the air effectively. It’s also important to consider the size of the building and the amount of air it moves through every 24 hours. It may be necessary to install several filters to clean the entire space.
If you’re looking for an effective way to improve your home or workplaces IAQ, HEPA filters are worth considering. HEPA filters provide robust protection against harmful airborne particles that can cause health problems, making them invaluable tools in the home and workplace.
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