What makes an air purifier medical grade?

Asked by: Rosario Purdy V  |  Last update: September 29, 2023
Score: 4.5/5 (63 votes)

Medical grade air purifiers utilize high-efficiency filtration including HEPA filters, ULPA filters, and ASHRAE filters for particles, bacteria, and some viruses. Ultra-fine particles, smaller than 0.3 microns, can become lodged deep inside the lungs leading to an increase in health effects.

What is a medical grade air purifier?

Medical-grade air purifiers can be used to remove both infectious and natural bacteria. The medical-grade air purifier not only removes more than 100 kinds of formaldehyde and TVOC in PM 2.5, but also remove 90% of other harmful substances.

What is the difference between HEPA and medical grade?

Medical-grade HEPA filters are the most effective method of air filtration. While True HEPA filters are classified in H10 to H12, HEPA filters considered medical-grade are categorized as H13 filters. These can remove up to 99.995% of particles down to 0.1 microns.

What all should I look for in an air purifier before buying it?

Air purifier buyer's checklist
  • Measure your room size to find the square footage.
  • Your air purifier will, at minimum, need a HEPA filter. ...
  • Determine what types of filters you need. ...
  • Check the type of filter used. ...
  • Look for the Energy Star logo to ensure the air purifier is not an energy hog.

What is a medical grade HEPA filter?

H13-H14 HEPA are within the highest tier of HEPA air filtration and are considered medical-grade. “A HEPA grade of H13 can remove 99.95% of all particles in the air measuring 0.2 microns in diameter, while a HEPA grade H14 removes 99.995%,” says Nagl.

Air Purifiers: Do They Actually Work?

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Are medical grade air purifiers worth it?

A medical-grade air purifier for dust and other pollutants will trap fine, dangerous particles, leaving you with improved air quality and better health. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause a range of issues, from one's physical health to their mental health.

What is difference between HEPA and true HEPA?

A True HEPA filtration device or filter is the only type of HEPA filter that truly conforms to the DOE standard for HEPA filtration, has the highest efficiency, and hits the 99.97% threshold. If the HEPA filter does not meet the DOE's standards for HEPA filtration, then it is not considered True HEPA.

Are more expensive air purifiers better?

Expensive air filters are made of better-quality materials than cheap air filters. They are often made of fiberglass, which is a porous material that can trap more dust and pollen than other materials like cardboard or paper. Fiberglass also resists moisture and does not tear as easily as other materials.

Are more expensive air purifiers worth it?

Objective third-party data shows that air purifier effectiveness is not correlated to price. Or put another way, there are plenty of poor-performing expensive machines out there (such as the Swiss Air in this test) and plenty of high-performing cheap machines out there.

What is the most important thing in air purifier?

What are the top air purifier features to consider?
  1. Type of air filtration technology. Choosing the right filtration technology is probably the most important part of buying an air purifier. ...
  2. Design and ease of use. ...
  3. Noise level. ...
  4. Energy consumption. ...
  5. Cost of maintenance.

Is H13 HEPA medical grade?

H13 filters are within the highest tier of HEPA and are considered medical-grade quality. Function HEPA H13 traps 99.95% of Maximum Penetration Size Particles(MPPS). HEPA filters capture with extraordinary efficiency of 0.1 micron.

What is the highest grade HEPA filter?

The highest classes of HEPA filters are H13 and H14, which are considered medical grade quality filters, as they are able to capture significant percentages of particles smaller than 0.3 μm in size.

Is HEPA or HEPA 13 better?

HEPA 11 filters are typically used in residential settings, while HEPA 13 filters are designed for more industrial or commercial applications. HEPA 13 filters are able to capture a higher percentage of smaller particles than HEPA 11 filters, making them more effective at removing pollutants from the air.

What is a 5 stage air purifier?

5 STAGE PURIFICATION: Pre-filter (Large Particles), Activated Carbon Filter (Odors like pets and smoke), H13 HEPA Filter (99.97% of Micro Particles to . 3 microns), UVC light (Reduces Bacteria, Viruses, Mold, & Fungi EPA# 87627-CHN-1), PRO-Cell (Reduces 80% of Chemical Odors (VOCs) within 2 hrs).

What is 4 stage air purifier?

Advance 4-Stage Filtration Air Purifier

Its 4-stage filtration traps larger particles like pet dander, filters ultra-fine particles like dust and neutralizes household odors. The air purifier's HEPA Filter is known to filter ultra-fine particles, capturing 99.97% of dust and allergens as small as 0.1 microns.

Is H13 air purifier good?

According to reliable sources, the H13 filter can remove up to 99.995% of 0.1-micron diameter particles from the air. A medical-grade air filter is often used in clean rooms and places requiring the highest air quality level.

Is there a downside to air purifiers?

What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.

How much should you spend on an air purifier?

Top rated units fall in the $120 to $200 range. We generally do not recommend units that cost less than $100 (If you find this price range unaffordable we recommend that you hold off on your purchase - it's that important). More expensive units are also not recommended.

Is there anything bad about air purifiers?

Ozone generated by air purifiers does little to remove chemical pollutants. In fact, ozone has been found to react with existing chemicals in the air to create additional toxic pollutants, most notably formaldehyde and ultrafine particles. Some consumers purchase air purifiers to eradicate odors.

Should I put an air purifier in every room?

While more ACH will lead to cleaner air, it isn't absolutely necessary to have an air purifier for each room. Instead, focus on providing adequate coverage throughout your house, particularly in the areas where you spend the most time. These include your living room, kitchen and bedroom.

What makes one air purifier better than another?

The higher the CADR, the faster and more efficient the air purifier is. Room air purifiers with HEPA filters often achieve the highest CADR. There are different CADR ratings for removing tobacco smoke, dust, and pollen. Focus on the CADR for your main pollutant of concern.

Do air purifiers raise electric bill?

Air purifiers generally consume minimal energy, with most using less than 100W (between 20-50W on average). Air purifiers with Energy Star certification guarantee energy efficiency. A typical 50W air purifier running at maximum speed for 24 hours a day will cost around $3-4 per month.

Is there anything better than a HEPA filter?

ULPA filters trap more and smaller particulate matter than HEPA filters. ULPA filters are 99.999% effective at removing submicron particulate matter of 0.12-micron diameter or larger, while HEPA filters are 99.97% effective for eliminating particulate matter of 0.3-micron diameter or larger.

How do I know if my HEPA filter is real?

The key is to look for specific numbers on labels such as: “99.97 percent of all particles at 0.3 microns in size.” If the marketing claims are fuzzy, such as “more than 99 percent of dust and pollen,” that is not the same as True HEPA.

What MERV rating is HEPA?

A HEPA is the creme de la creme of air filters with an equivalent rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter at a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3 microns in size, but capture an even higher percentage of particles smaller or larger than that size.