10 Pros and Cons of HEPA Air Filters

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. HEPA filters have become an essential component for cleaning the air we breathe. Many experts in Murrieta recommend HEPA filters because of their superior filtering capabilities, particularly in catching small particles that weaker filters may miss. Its complex fiber structure forms a barrier that effectively removes indoor air contaminants, including dust, pollen and pet dander. Because of how effectively they work, HEPA filters continue to soar in popularity not only among homeowners but in medical facilities as well. This article will help you weigh the benefits of installing a HEPA filter in your house against the drawbacks.

Pros of HEPA Air Filters

Understanding the benefits of a HEPA air filter is crucial for making informed decisions about indoor air quality. It also empowers you to select the right filter for your home while taking into account your specific air filtration needs.

1. Destroy Airborne Pollutants That Harm the Body

Even though the air looks clear, it is full of tiny particles. Some of these, especially certain types of nanoparticles, can cause a wide range of health issues, ranging from lung cancer to asthma, allergies, lung fibrosis and more. In extreme cases, they can even damage your DNA. HEPA air filters remove nanoparticles from the air before you breathe them in, greatly minimizing these health risks.

2. Prevent the Spread of Viruses

HEPA filters combat aerosols and viruses by up to 99%. However, this requires using a highly advanced HEPA filtration system, such as a medical-grade HEPA filter. Keeping viruses and aerosols out of your home is important because they damage the respiratory system. These elements can enter your home through:

• The ventilation system
• Air leaks
• Pets and animals
• Airborne transmission
• Open windows and doors
• The heating and cooling system
• Contaminated items

3. Eliminate Bacteria

One of the major causes of sickness and illness is bacteria. The transmission of bacteria may occur via several routes, including, but not limited to, inhalation, absorption and consumption. In other words, if someone breathes in or consumes airborne germs, the bacteria can enter their respiratory system and then spread throughout their body, potentially causing an infection.

H13 HEPA filters, used in many air purifiers, are very effective in removing microorganisms from the air. By trapping airborne pathogens in the filter’s densely packed fibers, they can kill them, including most forms of household germs. This means that running a HEPA air filtration system in your home can significantly reduce the spread of bacteria. It does this by not only trapping and killing bacteria before you breathe it in, but it also kills bacteria that spread through airborne transmission.

4. Relieve Asthma Symptoms

Asthma, a chronic, debilitating lung disease that severely restricts a person’s ability to breathe, affects over one-third of the U.S. population. While inhalers are useful for relieving symptoms, they do little to address the underlying issues that lead to asthma attacks. Allergens and pollutants in the air are the major causes of asthma episodes. Asthma sufferers who reside in a home with a HEPA filter may benefit in several ways, including a decrease in the frequency and severity of asthma episodes and a reduction in the severity of asthma symptoms.

5. Reduce Allergies

Most people who struggle with allergies tend to notice that dust, dander and pollen worsen their symptoms. And unfortunately, it’s very easy for your home to become full of these elements without proper air filtration. You may even experience dizziness, congestion and blurred vision. A HEPA filter can capture the harmful elements before the heating and cooling system spreads them throughout your home. More importantly, it can help you avoid these symptoms by eliminating them before you breathe them in.

6. Improve the Health of Your Pets

A HEPA filter improves the quality of air in your house for the benefit of everyone living there, including your pets. Just like humans, some pets have allergies. A HEPA filter captures pet allergens before they breathe them in, reducing airborne contaminants that can harm them. These filters work especially well at eliminating bacteria, viruses and mold spores, creating a cleaner environment for you and your pets. The filters can even improve your home’s indoor comfort by getting rid of pet odors.

7. Get Rid of Stuffy Noses

Are you tired of waking up with a stuffy nose? Nasal congestion makes it difficult to sleep, greatly impacting the productivity that you have throughout the day. Stuffy noses readily occur because dust and pollen build up in a home. A stuffy nose can become even worse at night if your bedroom doesn’t have proper ventilation. One of the easiest ways to get rid of a stuffy nose and improve your bedroom’s air quality is by using a HEPA air purifier.

Cons of HEPA Air Filters

Just like the natural law of polarity states, everything in life has an opposite. And the same applies to HEPA filters. Although these filters come with a ton of pros, they have a few cons as well.

1. Cost

HEPA filters are high-quality air filtration systems that can come with incredibly expensive price tags ranging from a couple hundred to several thousand dollars. Two factors that influence their cost are your preferences and your home’s current setup. Some heating and cooling systems only work with certain HEPA filters, so you’ll need to keep this in mind when shopping for one. The best way to pick out a HEPA filter is with the help of a professional indoor air quality technician.

2. Maintenance

Another downside to HEPA filters stems from the required maintenance. You need to replace them once every 12 to 18 months. This quickly adds to the overall cost of owning and maintaining a quality air filtration system. In addition to replacing the filters, they also need regular care, which includes:

• Removing excess dust
• Washing the pre-filter
• Inspecting for damage
• Checking seals
• Performing leak tests

3. Noisy and Lack of Versatility

HEPA filters can be quite noisy. Some of them produce a constant humming or buzzing noise any time the heating or cooling system kicks on. It’s also worth noting that they only filter particulates, not gases or fumes. This is why it’s so important to keep your home protected with toxic gas sensors.

If you’re wondering whether your home can benefit from a HEPA filter, it’s crucial to speak with an indoor air quality specialist. This type of professional can perform an indoor air quality test to determine your home’s exact needs in terms of air filtration. Here at We Care Plumbing, Heating and Air, we offer a vast range of air filtration, air purification, air duct cleaning and humidity control services. We also specialize in plumbing, heating and cooling repairs and maintenance. Contact us today to schedule an indoor air quality test for your home and to determine whether it can benefit from a HEPA filter.

Categories: HVAC