When it comes to removing hazardous contaminants from your home or office, both carbon filters and HEPA systems offer incredible capabilities. However, there are also some differences between them. Carbon-based filters are excellent at trapping fumes and odors, but they are not as good with particles. Therefore, when analyzing HEPA filters versus carbon filters, your decision may depend on the contaminants you are working with.
You might even need both types of filters. For indoor fume extractors and air purifiers, charcoal filters are often preferred because they can trap odors in the room. However, carbon-based filtration systems will not remove particles and allergens quite well. Therefore, a mixed filtration system is usually better in industrial applications.
Household air contains particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. The natural defense system of the human body becomes more vulnerable due to the inhalation of these pollutants, which is why allergists and doctors strongly recommend purifying domestic air with HEPA filters. The first step is to identify what pollutants you are trying to remove. Having an idea of what you want to remove, you can choose the most effective air filter to do it.
For example, if you are a cigarette smoker, a single HEPA filter will not suffice. An activated carbon filter will be more effective at eliminating odors. If you are more interested in eliminating allergens such as dust, bacteria, pet dander and mold, it is recommended to buy a purifier with a HEPA filter because they are more effective at removing larger particles. Optimal performance is achieved when these air filters are used in unison with other types of air filters. Smart Air data experts tested both vacuuming and flushing the HEPA filters, and the results showed that washing the HEPA filters actually worsened performance.
UV air filters kill these particles without any real leakage, but instead use ultraviolet light rays to eliminate them as they pass by. This type of filter involves passively removing contaminants from the air by introducing air into the filter with a fan and then moving it through a complex filtration system. I recently wrote a resource that lucidly explains the difference between HEPA and HEPA air filters. That's why it's important to buy a HEPA air filter that includes an activated carbon filter that captures these allergens that HEPA can't.Air purifiers with UV filters are often used in sterile environments, such as hospitals, kitchens, nurseries and laboratories. These filters are commonly used in industrial air cleaning systems and in stand-alone units for domestic use. Activated carbon filters are rarely used alone to purify air and are often used in conjunction with other filters.
In short, HEPA filters are capable of removing dust and other allergens, such as mold, while carbon filters are capable of filtering smoke, fumes and other chemicals. Different air filters can filter contaminants at different levels and can be applied to different necessary situations. What many people don't realize is that there are differences between HEPA filters and carbon filters (also known as charcoal) in terms of air purification. In most cases, the HEPA filter enters the air filtration chamber first, followed by the carbon filter. Carbon filters are carbon-based air purification elements that have a thin layer of activated carbon inside them. HEPA filters primarily capture particles or solid contaminants from the air, while activated carbon filters focus on removing odors and chemical compounds.
HEPA air purifiers with charcoal help filter out the smallest contaminants, as well as fumes, smoke and other odors. In conclusion, when it comes to choosing an air filter for your home or office space, it is important to consider what type of pollutants you need to remove from your environment. Depending on your needs, you may need both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter for optimal performance.
