When it comes to air purification, it's important to understand the differences between H13 HEPA filters and True HEPA filters. While both are widely used in the air purifier industry, there are some key differences between the two that can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your air purifier. H13 HEPA filters are designed to capture very small particles such as dust, pollen, mold, smoke, pet dander, and more. However, there is no official HEPA certification program for consumer residential air purifiers.
This is because the HEPA standard is a government standard intended to ensure proper air filtration in government and military projects. In general, H13 HEPA filters have an efficiency rate of 99% for capturing particles as small as 2 microns. True HEPA filters, on the other hand, have a better efficiency rate of 99.97% on particles as small as 0.3 microns. This makes them more effective at capturing smaller particles and providing better air quality.
True HEPA filters are labeled with the largest premium air purifiers and must meet the DOE standards for HEPA filtration in order to be considered true HEPA. H10 to H12 filters are sometimes referred to as True HEPA filters, but they trap fewer particles than higher-grade filters. H13 and H14 are known as medical grade HEPA filters and capture 99.95% and 99.995% of all particles down to 0.3 microns, respectively. HEPA filters are made of fine glass fibers intertwined with a diameter of less than 1 micron and capture a wide variety of contaminants that are not visible to the naked eye. To comply with the HEPA specification, an air filter must trap 99.97 percent of all particles that have a diameter of 0.3 microns. When purchasing a True HEPA filter, you should be able to obtain third-party testing that shows that the brand took the right steps to meet the DOE HEPA standards and test its efficiency.
In the past, due to manufacturing costs and fan design, it was prohibitively expensive to purchase a HEPA filter H13 or higher for your home or office. In conclusion, if you're looking for an air purifier that will provide you with the best air quality possible, then you should opt for a True HEPA filter. True HEPA filters have a higher efficiency rate than H13 HEPA filters and meet the DOE standards for HEPA filtration.