How to Spot (and Avoid) a Fake HEPA Air Purifier

Clean indoor air is vital for good health, yet indoor air pollution is becoming a huge problem across the United States. In recent years, research has shown that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, posing a greater risk to your health than the air outside. Fortunately, you can take steps to reduce these risks. Removing indoor air pollutants with an air purifier can help you to maintain a healthy indoor environment.  

How to Choose an Air Purifier

The gold standard of air purifiers is the high-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filter. Unfortunately, increased demand for air purifiers has resulted in fake HEPA-grade air purifiers flooding the market. Often, manufacturers try to pass these purifiers for HEPA grade using terms such as “HEPA type” and “99% HEPA.” However, these purifiers do not actually use HEPA technology.  

How True HEPA Technology Works

Genuine HEPA-grade air purifiers use HEPA filters made up of hundreds of thousands of fiberglass fibers. These fibers trap 99.97 percent of airborne particulates in three different ways:

1. Large particles are trapped via impaction. These particles attempt to move around the fibers and get stuck.
2. Medium-sized particles are trapped via interception. These particles attempt to dodge the fibers but eventually get captured.
3. Small particles are trapped via diffusion. These particles collide with larger particles, which slow them down enough to get trapped by the fibers if they pass closely.

While HEPA filters are incredibly effective, they are not everything. At WAVE Home Solutions, we utilize a high-end HEPA filter as one of six stages in our air purification systems, including a revolutionary dual UV wavelength and reflector not found in other UV purifiers. A combination of purification methods is key for the highest quality and best purification.  

How to Spot a Genuine HEPA Air Filter

Genuine HEPA filters are easily identifiable by their serial number and test results. These filters have been scientifically tested to prove they can trap at least 99.97 percent of particulates of 0.3 microns or larger. They are generally more expensive than fake HEPA filters, but they effectively reduce health risks from poor-quality indoor air. The best air purifiers use genuine HEPA filters in conjunction with other forms of filtering, such as UV and activated carbon filtering. These purifiers give you superior protection against common indoor pollutants. An investment in a HEPA-grade air purifier is an investment in your health and that of your family. Request a consultation with Wave Home Solutions today to find out more about how an air purification system can create a cleaner home environment.