What Is a HEPA Filter and Do You Really Need One?
If you’ve ever looked into air purifiers, chances are you’ve come across the term “HEPA filter.” But what exactly is it, and why does it matter for your home and your health?
Here’s a simple, jargon-free guide to what HEPA filters do and why you might want to consider using one.
What Is a HEPA Filter?
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and it’s a type of air filter designed to capture incredibly small particles from the air down to just 0.3 microns in size. To put that into perspective, there are 10,000 microns in a single centimetre, so 0.3 microns is tiny.
(How small is a micron)
To meet HEPA standards, a filter must remove at least 99.97% of particles that size from the air. That means nearly everything that could irritate your lungs or trigger allergies gets trapped making HEPA one of the most trusted filtration methods in the world.
Where Are HEPA Filters Used?
You’ll find HEPA filters not just in air purifiers, but also in vacuum cleaners, medical equipment, airplanes, and even the electronics and pharmaceutical industries where ultra-clean environments are essential.
At home, HEPA filters are most commonly used in air purifiers, where they form the core of the filtration system physically trapping particles like dust, pollen, pet dander, and even pollution from traffic or smoke.
What Makes HEPA Filters So Effective?
HEPA filters are made of thousands of tiny fibres woven into a dense mat. As air passes through, particles get caught in the fibres. While larger particles are easily trapped, HEPA filters are also brilliant at catching smaller ones including the hardest type to catch: those around 0.3 microns, which are just the right size to slip past less efficient filters.
Because of this, HEPA filters are also effective against PM10 (particles up to 10 microns wide), PM2.5, and other forms of pollution. These particles are linked to a range of health issues and are small enough to travel deep into your lungs, where they can cause inflammation and breathing problems.
Why Is Filtering Small Particles So Important?
Particles that are too small to see like those from exhaust fumes, cigarette smoke, or mould can enter your lungs and bloodstream without you realising. Over time, they can contribute to asthma, allergies, respiratory illness, and even heart disease.
In fact, it’s estimated that fine particulate pollution caused over 370,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2005. That’s why having a reliable filter that removes even the tiniest particles is more important than ever.
Who Should Consider Using a HEPA Filter?
Here are some of the most common reasons people choose air purifiers with HEPA filters:
- New parents: Keep your baby’s environment safe by removing allergens and pollutants from the air.
- Smokers (or homes with smokers): Use a purifier with both a HEPA and a carbon filter. HEPA removes smoke particles, while carbon neutralises odours and gases.
- Pet owners: Get rid of pet dander and allergens that can trigger sneezing and itchy eyes. Again, look for a combination of HEPA and carbon.
- Asthma and allergy sufferers: A high-quality HEPA purifier can help relieve symptoms by removing dust, mould spores, and dust mite waste from the air.
In Summary
HEPA filters are a proven, trusted way to clean the air in your home. Whether you’re fighting pet dander, traffic pollution, or everyday dust, a well-chosen air purifier with a genuine HEPA filter can make a real difference to your health and comfort.
We’re always happy to help.
Call us on 01207 507444 and we’ll happily guide you to the right solution for your space and your needs.
Clean air, made simple.