When cleaning up the air in your home, HEPA filters have been the gold standard for a long time. They’re great at trapping much of the stuff that floats around in the air. But as technology advances and we learn more about air quality, people wonder, “Is there anything better than a HEPA filter?”
ULPA filters provide a compelling response, with a 99.999% efficiency at capturing particles of 0.12 microns in size or larger. That’s better than HEPA filters. ULPA is the way to go if you want to clean the air to the nth degree.
As we dive into this complicated topic, we must understand the differences and when each type of filter is best.
HEPA Filters: The Gold Standard for Clean Air
For decades, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters have been the standard in air purification technology. They’re designed to capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. That’s pretty small. They’re used to keep the air clean in all sorts of places. They work so well because they’re made up of a dense web of fibers, usually fiberglass. These fibers are randomly arranged. As air flows through the filter, particles are trapped in various ways, including interception, impaction, and diffusion.
Advancements and Limitations
Even though HEPA filters do a great job of capturing particulate matter, they have some limitations. They don’t naturally capture volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or gases. You need to add activated carbon filters or other technologies to get comprehensive air purification. Also, the effectiveness of HEPA filters can vary depending on how you use and maintain them. You need to replace or clean them regularly as directed by the manufacturer to ensure they continue to work well.
ULPA Filters: The Next Level After HEPA
Ultra Low Particulate Air (ULPA) filters take air purification to the next level. They perform even better than HEPA filters, which are already really good. ULPA filters are designed to capture at least 99.999% of airborne particles as small as 0.12 microns. They’re the best of the best when it comes to filtration technology. ULPA filters target ultrafine particles that are too small for HEPA filters to capture well.
Considerations and Challenges
While ULPA filters provide better filtration, there are some things to consider:
Airflow Restriction: The denser mesh of ULPA filters can restrict airflow more than HEPA filters. You need stronger fans or blowers to move air through them. This can increase energy consumption.
Cost: ULPA filters are more expensive than HEPA filters because of the advanced manufacturing process and materials. This cost can be a big deal depending on what you’re doing and whether you need that extra filtration.
Maintenance: Just like HEPA filters, you have to maintain and replace ULPA filters regularly to keep them working well. Because the mesh is finer, you might have to replace ULPA filters more often, which can add to the cost of running them.
Even with these challenges, the super clean air you get from ULPA filters is essential in many critical applications.
MERV vs. HEPA Filters
The world of air filtration is vast. There are all sorts of standards and ratings to help you choose the right filter for your air quality needs. Two of the most common things you’ll hear people talk about are MERV ratings and HEPA filters. It’s essential to understand the difference between the two so you can decide which air filter is right for you.
MERV Ratings Explained
MERV ratings range from 1 to 20 and measure a filter’s ability to capture larger particles between 0.3 and 10 microns. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping airborne particles. Filters with higher MERV ratings are used in places where you need cleaner air like:
MERV 1-4: Filters pollen, dust mites, and other similarly sized particles. These are the filters you put in your window air conditioner at home.
MERV 5-8: Filters mold spores, dust mite debris, and pet dander. You’ll find these filters in homes, businesses, and factories.
MERV 9-12: Filters auto emissions and lead dust, among other things. These filters are in nicer homes and better commercial buildings.
MERV 13-16: Very good filtration. Filters bacteria, most tobacco smoke, and sneeze droplets. They are used in hospitals and smoking lounges.
MERV 17-20: Superior filtration, comparable to HEPA and ULPA filters. Removes viruses and carbon dust. They are used in clean rooms and nuclear power plants.
HEPA Filters are almost equal to MERV 17-20
They capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. However, HEPA filters equal to MERV 17-20 in MERV ratings.
HEPA filters provide better air quality, but they are more expensive to buy and maintain. MERV-rated filters give you various options to fit your needs and budget.
HEPA vs. Carbon Filters: Different Jobs
HEPA filters are great at capturing particles. Carbon filters are excellent at removing gases and odors.
Carbon Filters Explained
Activated carbon or charcoal filters use a bed of activated carbon to absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and gases. The carbon has a lot of tiny pores that create a huge surface area. It grabs and holds onto airborne chemicals through a process called adsorption.
Carbon filters are great at removing:
- Smoke, including tobacco smoke and wildfire smoke.
- Household odors from cooking, pets, and garbage.
- Chemical fumes from paints, furniture, and cleaning products.
- Outdoor pollution that comes inside, like vehicle exhaust.
The Power of HEPA Plus Carbon
You’ll find a combination of HEPA and carbon filters in most air purifiers. This gives you the best of both worlds. You get the particle removal of the HEPA filter and the carbon filter’s gas and odor removal.
However, if you add a carbon filter to a system that already has a HEPA filter, it can create more resistance to the airflow. You need to make sure the air purifier can handle the extra load without losing efficiency.
Last Summary
As you can see, air filtration is a dynamic field. New breakthroughs are constantly being made to help us clean the air in our homes. From HEPA filters that capture particles to ULPA filters that capture ultrafine particles, each technology has its benefits for specific needs.
For most people, a combination of technologies will be the best solution. For example, using a HEPA filter in combination with a carbon filter or adding a ULPA filter to an existing system will give you the best of both worlds. You’ll be able to remove particles, gases, and odors.
