!7# What You Should Know About HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaners

!±8± What You Should Know About HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaners

HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaners can go a long way toward helping to get your air clean in your home. If there is someone in the home with allergies or respiratory issues these vacuums can help. They make our air cleaner and help trap harmful particles. This is what HEPA filter vacuum cleaners can do.

These filters were originally developed in the US during the second World War. As part of atomic bomb testing the filters were created. They were designed to keep out radio active dust contaminants. They have been quite effective for asbestos and lead cleaning.

HEPA filter vacuum cleaners is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air. The filters are used in hospitals, pharmaceutical and aerospace companies. They are now available for home air filters and filters in hepa filter vacuum cleaners. When dust and dirt is vacuumed in a home some portion of it is released back into the air by changing the bag or dumping the canister, or through the housing of the unit.

These filters are designed to be able to eliminate 99.97 percent of the air particles. Those with allergies greatly benefit from their use. The vacuum using this filter can clean microscopic germs and dust as small as 0.3 microns of particles in the air. The packaging will let you know just how effective the filter is in the unit you choose.

The filter is made of tiny glass fibers woven into a compressed paper filter. The weave creates tiny pores that trap particles that are microscopic. These particles remain stuck in these pores. They can trap molds, viruses and spores. They can clean the air of allergens, pet dander, pollen, dust, dust mites and smoke. There are attachments that allow you to clean more than just the carpets. Drapes, furniture, ceiling fans, etc. Can all be cleaned. Normal vacuum cleaners will just release all these back into the air.

You will see different terms for the HEPA filter vacuum cleaners. The true HEPA, sealed HEPA, Near HEPA and ULPA. The true HEPA filter vacuum cleaners will have the filter itself in an airtight area of the vacuum. This keeps the dust from seeping out the gaps in the body of the vacuum. Sealed HEPA means the vacuum system is sealed in a way that all air that is sucked into the vacuum goes through the filter.

Near HEPA means the filter does not quite meet the standards for HEPA filtration but is near it. These cost a lot less the true HEPA filter. If you don't need that high a degree of filtration you may wish to consider it. ULPA stands for ultra high efficiency particulate air. This is will clean the air of 99.99 percent of. 12 micron particulates. This filter is not readily available for home use.

These filters are quite powerful. The vacuum must be made to work with them. Because of the amount of particles it is able to trap it also slows down the air that moves through it. It will lose some of its suction power if the vacuum itself is not powerful enough. This of course defeats the purpose of the vacuum which is to clean the dirt and dust from your home.

To get the most out of your choice of vacuum make sure that where the filter is mounted is sealed. The body itself where the filter is housed should also be sealed. If it isn't then the dust that is vacuumed will be released back into the air. The filter should be changed regularly to maintain efficiency. Determine how clean you want or need the air in your home and you will know which of the HEPA filter vacuum cleaners is best for you and your family.