The tightly sealed homes of today are great at keeping the elements out, but they also keep pollutants in. It’s shocking to realize that indoor air can be filled with more pollutants than in the downtown Twin Cities area. The dirt and dust you see collecting on surfaces in your home is only the beginning. If you want to breathe easier, consider a highly-effective HEPA filter. Here’s what you need to know about this kind of filter before you make the investment.
- HEPA filters are screens that go on portable air filters. They can be used in cars and airlines to filter the air that passengers breathe, and they also come in a cone shape that can be fitted onto a bag-less vacuum cleaner. The filter has the ability to trap particles as small as .3 microns with an efficiency rating of 99.97 percent.
- HEPA model room air filters have running fans that can make them noisy and their filters must be replaced periodically. While new models may be quieter, ion air cleaners run almost silently and don’t have filters to replace. However, the slight noise generated by HEPA air filters may be worth it because ion air cleaners produce trace amounts of by-products that can irritate the lungs. This by-product doesn’t exist with HEPA filters.
- Portable HEPA air filters have a wide price range — from $150 to $1,500 — when you make your initial investment, and there are ongoing operation costs due to the filters that should be replaced yearly.
- Many owners of air filters run the fan on high during the day and switch it to low at night to decrease operating costs.
With each of these considerations in mind, you will be better prepared to make an educated decision about whether HEPA filters are right for your needs. For more information, contact Marsh Heating & Air Conditioningin the Twin Cities metro area.
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