The difference between HEPA Air Cleaners and HEPA Air Purifiers

The difference between HEPA Air Cleaner & Purifier

High Efficiency Particle Arrestor is commonly referred to as HEPA. HEPA is the type of air filter commonly used in air purification and cleaning equipment such as air purifiers, air cleaners and high quality vacuum cleaners. HEPA is not a brand of air cleaner.

Generally HEPA air cleaners will filter particles in the air to 0.3 microns at an efficiency rating of 99.97%. They filter as well as remove allergens such as smoke, dirt, pollen, animal dander and dust mite. Hazardous jobs like the removal of asbestos in buildings or the clean up of toxic spills are accomplished as a result of the use of the HEPA filtered air cleaners and vacuum cleaning equipment. The air cleaners filter the allergens in the air through a HEPA filter. The filter traps the particles returning only clean air into the indoor environment. The greater the frequency of the air exchanged through the HEPA air purifier, the better the air quality will be. There is a value for the air exchange rate and the higher the air exchange rate per hour, the more improved the air will be in that particular location.

HEPA air cleaners will effectively service one room at a time.

NOTE: Operating a HEPA air cleaner in the bedroom will clean the air in your other areas of your home. It is wise to place a HEPA air purifier in each bedroom, home office and family room.

HEPA Air cleaners only clean the air in the room or open area they are in. They do not have the ability to clean the air through walls or doorways. Better quality HEPA air cleaners like the Austin Air or the EZ Air manufacture models that exchange air up to 15 times per hour in a bedroom of average size and up to 8 times per hour in a 1000 square foot open area.

Cheaper models HEPA air cleaners often found in the average department store will only provide around 2 to 4 air exchanges per hour in the average size bedroom. If you intend to use in a large room or open space, the lower quality manufacturers of the air purifiers do not offer the high quality exchange rate to make a noticeable difference in the indoor air quality.

High quality HEPA air cleaners have the added feature of medical grade ultraviolet light systems. These air cleaners are known as HEPA Air Purifiers because the use of the ultraviolet light systems quickly kills viruses, bacteria and fungus. Contaminated air containing allergens such as dust, Dust Mite allergen, pollen and smoke enters the air purifier which by its advanced technological design protects your indoor air environment from biological and virus contamination.

The lower quality brands of HEPA air cleaners and HEPA air purifiers on the market often contain pre- filters that have been sprayed with only a small amount of carbon dust which is extremely short lived and more of a sales gimmick than a viable way of removing odors and out-gassing chemicals.

The very best of the HEPA Air Purifiers model is the T.R.A.C.S – Total Room Air Cleaning System. These high-end quality units contain pounds of activated carbon and Zeolite to quickly pull in and remove chemicals and odors from the home and office indoor air atmosphere.

The T.R.A.C.S HEPA air purifier ultraviolet light system has the potential to kill dangerous viruses like H1N1, bacteria and mold spores. The TRACS HEPA air purifier includes activated carbon pre-filters that filter large dust particulates to protect and prolong the life of the HEPA filter for up to 6 years.

The activated carbon in the T.R.A.C.S air purifiers adsorbs the harmful odors, chemicals, gases and once saturated, the carbon can actually expel the trapped contaminants.

The factory designed the Carbon Pre-filter Packs to stay at peak efficiency to remove harmful contaminants throughout the year. The combination of the 3 ½ pound activated carbon/zeolite odor remover and the pre-filter functions into one affordable filter allows you to change the Carbon Pre-filter Pack in the TRACS air purifier every three to six months to maintain optimum air cleanliness and HEPA protection.

Hospitals and Federal Prisons use the TRACS HEPA air purifiers for virus and infection control including to help stop the spread of highly infectious tuberculosis (TB).

T.R.A.C.S Ultraviolet air purifiers use two non-ozone producing hospital grade UV lamps that are in a highly reflective UV kill chamber which continually reflects light on the dirty side of the air purifiers HEPA filter; the opposite side of the HEPA filter that the particulate and biological contaminants are trapped on. UV radiation is known to deactivate and destroy airborne and land-based microorganisms including molds, viruses and bacteria.

WARNING

Exercise caution when selecting a HEPA Air Cleaner or Purifier. Ensure you understand your needs as it pertains to a HEPA Air Cleaner or Purifier and be diligent in your research of the various brands and manufacturers. Measure the location that you want to place the unit in and check the air exchange rate per hour to make sure the unit will meet your air quality demands. Do not hesitate to contact a manufacturer’s support to ask questions if you’re unable to find the answers you need.