HEPA Filters
The High Efficiency Particulate Air, or HEPA, filter, was designed to shield scientists from radiation as they developed an atomic bomb during World War II. Today these filters are regularly used in hospitals, science labs and even homes.
HEPA filters are rated to extract 99.97 to 99.99% of particles measuring 0.3 microns and larger. This includes pollen, dirt and dust. A HEPA air cleaner with activated carbon filters can catch chemicals, odors and smoke.
These filters have a MERV rating of 1721, depending on the model. This rating shows how successfully a filter can pull out pollutants from the air.
Because of their high-efficiency filtration performance, HEPA filters are deep and can reduce airflow. It’s important to ask Stark Services to verify your heating and cooling system can work with one.
Media Filters
Media air cleaners are denser than basic air filters. They’re often four to five times wider—or more. This barrier fits snugly against your HVAC unit.
Because its functional surface is usually around 10 inches, media filters are able to catch about 95 percent of particulates.
These filters last longer too, typically between three to six months.
Electrostatic Filters
There are a couple of electronic filtering systems you can use in your home.
An electrostatic filter uses magnetically charged substance to capture. These washable filters are 97 percent effective at clearing tiny particles from your home’s air. Plus, they’re also 30 times more effective than regular filters.
An electronic air cleaner uses a high-voltage magnetic charge to catch particles.
Some can eliminate the majority of indoor air pollutants—particles, germs, bacteria, chemical odors and vapors—by up to 99.9 percent. And reduce ozone, a known lung irritant, made elsewhere in your home.