Indoor air quality is important during every season, but even more so during the winter because our doors and windows are closed, which means minimal fresh air is entering our homes. The best way to maintain good indoor air quality is with a well maintained and effective HVAC filter. When our customers are shopping for filters, they often ask us, “What is a HEPA filter?” So, we thought we’d take some time to explain what they are and their many benefits.
What is a HEPA filter?
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air (filter), and although you may have heard these filters are only necessary for commercial applications, they are one of the best options for residential HVAC systems as well. It’s much more than a brand name though, for an HVAC filter to be classified as a HEPA filter, it needs to be tested and approved to meet the standards set in place by The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology. These filters have dense layers that catch the majority of contaminants, bacteria, and allergens on the first pass, which is why hospitals use them for their HVAC systems. Due to their dense, thick filtration layers, many HEPA filters come with what is known as a bypass fan to ensure there is no loss of airflow in your main duct system.
What are the Benefits of a HEPA Filter?
HEPA filters trap 99.97% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns or larger. Most HEPA filters can trap smaller particles as well, but the classification cut-off is 0.3 microns. This means that they can trap almost all of the allergens, bacteria, and pollutants in your household air, giving you the best air quality possible. To put it into perspective how effective they are, here is the size range of the most common household contaminants:
- Spores: 3 – 40 microns
- Mould: 3 – 12 microns
- Bacteria: 0.3 – 60 microns
As you can see, HEPA filters have been designed to catch pretty much everything, and certain models use ionization, specialized nanofibers, activated carbon, ozone, and UV technology to improve their effectiveness beyond the set guidelines.
HEPA filters are more expensive because they’re far more effective than standard HVAC filters, and they last much longer. Find out how you can get 20% of select products, including HEPA filters, when you sign up for a Delta premium protection plan.
Is a HEPA the best filter for you?
Call us for a free consultation and get the filter your home needs at Delta Air Systems!
The team of HVAC experts at Delta have been proudly serving the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph regions heating and cooling needs since the 1950s. We are committed to providing our clients with cost-effective solutions and high-quality equipment.
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