Indoor air quality is essential to our overall health and well-being, especially as a growing number of people work from home. HEPA filters are a popular way to reduce the symptoms associated with allergies and asthma. They can be incorporated throughout your home everywhere, from your HVAC system to your air purifiers. How can you start reaping the benefits of clean air through HEPA technology?
What Are HEPA Filters?
HEPA filters were designed over 80 years ago to help protect nuclear factory workers from breathing in dangerous pollutants and airborne particles. Today, they are in homes and businesses all around the country. To qualify as a HEPA filter, a product must remove over 99% of all airborne pollutants that are 0.3 microns or larger.
Where Can These Filters Be Used?
Homeowners can use HEPA filters in three places in the home:
- HEPA air purifiers can eliminate dander, dust, debris, and other airborne contaminants present in your home.
- HVAC filters, which are part of your heating and cooling system. These clean the conditioned air from your furnace or air conditioner.
- A vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter does an exceptional job trapping small contaminants like dust mites and dirt that can irritate allergy sufferers.
Things HEPA Technology Cannot Remove
While HEPA filters trap a broad range of air pollutants, they cannot remove anything smaller than 0.3 microns from the air. These particles include some types of bacteria, certain viruses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are in some cleaning products, hairspray, and other chemical substances throughout your household.
Are HEPA Filters Useful If You Don’t Have Asthma or Allergies?
Even if you don’t have allergies, HEPA filters are great tools to keep your home healthy. If your home has experienced water damage or excess moisture, these filters help remove mold spores and bacteria from the air and reduce the risk of mold problems developing. If there is air pollution outside your home or fires in the area, HEPA technology provides fresh, clean air free from contamination.
Border Home and Property Inspections provides inspection services, including air quality and mold inspections in the Midwest region of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Contact us to schedule an appointment.