HEPA Vacuum Cleaners
HEPA vacuum cleaners are ideal for allergy sufferers because they contain microscopic allergen particles which are otherwise disbursed back into the air with traditional vacuum cleaners. HEPA vacuum cleaners help to improve the air quality of your home.
The word "HEPA" stands for "High Efficiency Particulate Air." A filter rated as HEPA must retain all particles 0.3 microns in size or larger and have an efficiency level of 99.97%. Standard vacuum cleaners pick up particles in the range of 30 to 50 microns but most airborne particles are about 2.4 microns. This means that non-HEPA vacuum cleaners are simply blowing harmful allergens back into the air.
HEPA vacuum cleaners used to be out of reach of the average home owner. They were primarily used for exacting industrial applications and extremely expensive. These days HEPA vacuum cleaners are affordable enough for everyone. If you care about your home environment you need to get a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
Types of HEPA Vacuum Cleaners
There are basically two types of HEPA vacuum cleaners - portable and central. Central vacuum cleaners do not release any of the expelled air back into the room, so this type of vacuum cleaner is preferable for allergy sufferers. However, portable Of vacuum cleaners do a very good job of trapping most of the airborne contaminants, so these are suitable for the average homeowner.
Beware of vacuum cleaners that are labeled "HEPA-like." These are not true HEPA vacuum cleaners and did not give you the benefits of at true HEPA filter.
HEPA Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide
Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a HEPA vacuum cleaner.
- The HEPA filter should be positioned after the motor to ensure that the exhaust fan is releasing clean air.
- The HEPA filter component needs to be completely sealed so that contaminated air cannot be released into the environment. Look for rubber gasket to seal the HEPA filter and the motor assembly.
- Powerful vacuums are more efficient in removing allergens from the air. Vacuums are rated by the volume of air they can move in one minute. Look for a rating of more than 150 feet cubic feet per minute. This will allow the HEPA filter to operate at its greatest efficiency.
A HEPA vacuum cleaner is a bit more expensive than regular vacuum cleaners, but are a good investment for anyone who cares about the quality of their home environment.
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Comments
Ross
25 Jun 2008, 09:07
Looks good but how much does it cost?
Johan
19 Dec 2008, 04:02
I have seen vacuum cleaners with various types of HEPA filters:
HEPA 11
HEPA 12
HEPA 13
What are the differences?
josh
15 Feb 2009, 20:28
ill put my kirby up against this any day, and kick its butt. granted it
costs 3 times as much.
peter
22 Aug 2009, 23:40
Hepa 13 is more hepa 12 is mor hepa 11
hepa 11 prevent 85-95% fine fractional
hepa 12 99.5% > 0.3nm
hepa 13 99.95%> 0.12nm
hepa 14 99.99
Ulpa 15 99.995
ulpa 16 99.9995
ulpa 17 99.999995
sulpa 99.999999999
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