When we talk about
air filters, we are discussing the various types of
filters used in portable room air purifiers not the kind
you place over your ventilation ducts. These air
filters play a large part in the effectiveness of any
air purifier you are considering.This page
discusses the air filters that are used in the
mechanical air purifiers available on the market.
There are many electronic air cleaners (i.e. ionic) that
do not necessarily need to incorporate all of these
filters to be effective.
With that said, there are basically three main types
of air filters that most air purifiers incorporate.
These are the prefilter, the HEPA, and the activated
carbon.
Prefilter
The prefilter is an air filter that initially cleans
the air as it is draw into an air purifier. It is
the least expensive and least effective in the unit--
but it is also one of the most important. The
prefilter absorbs particles that are 1 to 10 microns in
size. These are the larger pollutants such as
animal hair and very large dust.
The reason a prefilter is important is that it gets
rid of the pollutants that you do not want to "clog"
your more expensive HEPA filter. HEPA filters can
clear particulates down to 0.3 microns in size.
These are the ones that have the ability to get into
your lungs and cause problems.
HEPA air filters
HEPA filters are discussed in detail on our
HEPA air purifier
page. These are the most effective
component of most air purifiers.
Activated Carbon air filters
Because HEPA filters cannot remove gases and odors
that are typically 0.3 microns and smaller, activated
carbon air filters are used in many air purifiers.
Activated carbon is charcoal that has been treated with
oxygen to open millions of tiny pores between the carbon
atoms.
Activated carbon filters then physically absorb gas
molecules into these pores. Odors and gasses tend
to be too small to be captured by anything but activated
carbon. Keep in mind that as these pores get
filled, eventually the filter will need to be changed as
it drops in efficiency.
That is a basic rundown of the three types of air
filters that you'll encounter as you investigate air
purifiers and the technologies that drive them. To
find air cleaners that utilize these types of filters
effectively, be sure to check out our list of the
10 best air
purifiers on the market today.
Amazon.com - Air Filters
Has good selection of air filters, replacement HEPA
filters, prefilters, and more. Low prices on many
different types of air filters.
AllergyBeGone.com - Air Filters and Accessories
Stocks large selection of many top name air filters,
replacement filters, and other types. Also offers
air purifiers and air cleaners.
Also See: [Air
Purifier Reviews] [Air
Purifiers Home]
