Why HEPA Air Purifiers Are Best
HEPA Air Purifiers are widely considered the best air purifiers because they use High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing filters (or HEPA filters), which are terrific at filtering air. Airborne particulates which are 0.3 microns (or micrometers) in size are the ones that HEPA Air Purifiers do the best job of filtering. A micron is 1/1,000,000th (millionth) of a meter. To put in perspective just how small this is, the width of a thin human hair is about 40 microns. That hair is over 133 times the size of a 0.3 micron particulate. The particulates of this size are some of the most difficult to filter and cause many problems when breathed in. In fact a true HEPA Air Purifier can only be marketed as such if it effectively blocks 99.97% of all 0.3 micron particulates.
True HEPA Air Purifiers
The reason I say “true” is that true HEPA air purifiers, unlike some other, which are not true HEPA air purifiers are marketed as “HEPA-type” filters. But the only way to be sure you’re getting the same quality air filtration used by hospitals (provided by certified HEPA filters) is to choose from among actual HEPA Air Purifiers rather than HEPA-type purifiers.
Which HEPA Air Purifiers Do Consumers Like?
Made for small rooms up to 150 sq. ft. the Honeywell Enviracaire 50101 True HEPA Air Purifier is one of the well reviewed HEPA air purifiers and comes with a 5 year warranty.
The Enviracaire’s three speed quiet operation and neutral color make it unobtrusive to the style and feel of any room you use it in. It is one of the true HEPA air purifiers so it does remove at least 99.97% of 0.3 micron particulates. It’s great with dust, pollen, mold spores, tobacco smoke and cat dander. It also has a carbon pre-filter which not only extends the life of the HEPA filter, it helps remove odors common to households. The intake and outflow vents on this unit cover a full 360 degrees to maximize circulation efficiency, making this one of the HEPA air purifiers that can easily be placed in any area of your room. The filter change calendar reminds you when it’s time to change the filters. This unit retails for around $155 and is available here for under $89.
One customer who purchased this unit had this to say, “I was amazed by how fresh the air smelled after turning on the Honeywell 50101…The product claims to be the #1 choice of physicians, and I don’t think they’re exaggerating.”
If you have a larger room and are able to spend more for one of the most highly recommended brands, the IQAir HealthPro Compact Air Purifier is worth a look. IQAir is widely considered a top maker of HEPA air purifiers.
The HealthPro Compact features advanced micro- and nano-particle filter technologies. It’s small size (16x16x24 inches, 34 lbs.) makes perfect for small apartments and offices. This unit effectively removes every type of particulate air pollutants, including all common allergens, microorganisms and all types of dust. It’s one of the HEPA air purifiers that is built for allergy sufferers and other health-conscious individuals that need high-efficiency particulate removal in a smal size. The HealthPro Compact uses IQAir’s patented HyperHEPA filters, the first filters tested and certified to filter down to 0.003 microns with a guaranteed minimum efficiency of over 99.5%, which means that HealthPro Compact HEPA Air Purifiers stop the ultra fine particulates that other air purifiers miss. The HealthPro Compact sells here for under $750.
An artist who uses the HealthPro Compact had this to say, “… the machine has allowed me to set up an art studio in my home. Oil paint fumes are seriously toxic and when the machine is running there is no odor at all. Absolutely silent on the lower settings, barely audible at full fan speed. Highly recommend.”
Another consumer of HEPA air purifiers swears by the HealthPro Compact as great relief for severe allergies suffered by him and his wife. “I did my research and found this is the best large room air purifier on the market. I have suffered from allergies all my life…when we were in the room with the IQAir we stopped having runny noses and stopped sneezing. (When I moved it to the bedroom the snoring stopped too.)”
These and other HEPA air purifiers can make a big difference in your indoor air quality.