Often when we buy an air conditioner, we look at the energy rating, price, and size.
These are great places to start but one often neglected feature is the air filtration system it has in place.
Air conditioners with HEPA filters are essential for those who have allergies, vulnerable immune systems, or those who want to keep their home air quality high.
What Is Hepa?
The acronym HEPA stands for ‘High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting’.
A HEPA filter captures airborne allergens, viruses, bacteria and 99.7% of all particles in the air.
More advanced HEPA systems can remove odours and smoke from the air.
HEPA filters are beneficial to every home as they trap airborne pollutants.
Some companies like to use terms such as True HEPA, HEPA Like, HEPA Type filters. Although these appear confusing, there is only one HEPA filter. True HEPA and HEPA, are the exact same thing.
Simply check the label to ensure what you are buying is HEPA.
How do HEPA filters work?
HEPA filters were originally developed by the nuclear industry to help clean up dangerous, radioactive particles.
Nowadays, they’re used to remove dust, viruses, and particles from the air.
A HEPA filter often looks like folded paper. This paper is a mat made of very dense glass fibres. Sometimes they will have an outer container or mesh that traps large particles before they reach the fine particle filter.
The filter then traps the dust or pathogens in 3 different ways.
When particles are traveling at high speeds, they will smash into the HEPA filter and get trapped. Other particles will get snagged along the way and not make it through the filter.
At lower speeds, it traps dust particles but instead of catching them. It stops them from passing by.
These particles can wander aimlessly on one side of the filter and never make it through.
If you’ve ever seen dust floating in your bedroom when the sun shines in, it’s a similar principle.
Inside the HEPA filter, the particles will wander until the filter captures them.
How Often Should I Replace A HEPA Filter?
HEPA filters gather particles at different rates. Depending on where you live will determine how often you should replace them.
If you live in a CBD or a dusty environment (eg: farms), every 12 months is a good start. If you live somewhere with good air quality, 18 months is a reasonable amount of time.
It’s a good idea to open your air conditioner and have a look at your filter. You might see it dirtier than you expected and it’s time for a clean.
If it’s a washable filter, run it under cold water until it’s clean.
If it’s not, simply shake it out until it releases the dust.
How Often Should I Replace A HEPA Filter?
We regularly install Mitsubishi air conditioners. These units come with an attachment to slide HEPA filters in.
Mitsubishi is an award-winning and market-leading brand.
It doesn’t matter the size of your home or office, they have unit to service it.
If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner or simply want yours cleaned, give us a call.
Cleaning air conditioners is a great way to destroy any nasties that are lurking in your unit.
A quick open of your air conditioner and you’ll see grime, dust, and bacteria.
Our team uses tough detergents to get it spotless again.
We can also install HEPA filters if you don’t already have one.
Give us a call on 1300 478 573 or use this form.
