Maintaining clean air is crucial in many environments, from residential air purifiers to industrial cleanrooms and medical facilities. Choosing the right HEPA filter can significantly impact air quality, energy efficiency, and overall system performance. With a wide range of HEPA grades, sizes, and materials available, making an informed decision may seem challenging. В Airyfilter, we specialize in high-quality HEPA filters for diverse applications, ensuring you find the right solution for your project. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to select the most suitable HEPA filter.
Что такое фильтр HEPA и как он работает?
A HEPA filter is a high‑efficiency particulate air filter that must remove at least 99.95% (H13) или 99.995% (H14) of particles at the most penetrating particle size (Mpps) according to EN 1822.
HEPA filters rely on three physical mechanisms:
- Interception – particles follow airflow lines and stick to fibers
- Impaction – larger particles collide directly with fibers
- Diffusion – ultra-fine particles move randomly (Brownian motion) and get captured
This multi-mechanism process allows HEPA filters to remove dust, пыльца, бактерии, плесени споры, aerosols, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) with extremely high efficiency.
Key HEPA Filter Standards and Grades (H10–H14, U15+)
Not all HEPA filters are the same. Different regions follow different classification systems, but the most widely used is EN 1822 / Iso 29463, which categorizes filters based on efficiency at MPPS.
Common HEPA and ULPA Grades
| Оценка | Typical Efficiency | Application Level |
|---|---|---|
| H10 | ≥85% | Pre-HEPA / light filtration |
| H11 | ≥95% | Commercial HVAC |
| H12 | ≥99.5% | Medical support areas |
| H13 | ≥99.95% | Больницы, лаборатории |
| H14 | ≥99.995% | Чистые комнаты, фарма |
| U15+ | ≥99.9995% | Semiconductor, Микроэлектроника |
Different Types of HEPA Filters
HEPA фильтры come in several types, each designed for specific applications and efficiency requirements. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right filter for your project. For a detailed guide, you can also check our full Types of HEPA Filters Guide.
- Фильтры типа HEPA (Сетка и)
These are often marketed as “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-style” filters and are commonly used in consumer air purifiers or vacuum cleaners. They typically capture around 90–95% of particles, which is lower than true HEPA filters. While suitable for general air cleaning, they are not recommended for critical environments. - Истинные фильтры HEPA (Класс)
True HEPA filters meet the standard requirement of ≥99.97% efficiency for 0.3-micron particles. Made from dense fiberglass media, they remove dust, пыльца, дымка, and other airborne contaminants. These filters are widely used in residential, коммерческий, and industrial air purification systems, providing reliable and consistent air quality. - Медицинские фильтры HEPA (H13 - H14)
Designed for healthcare and laboratory settings, these filters achieve 99.95% (H13) к 99.995% (H14) эффективность. They are ideal for surgical rooms, Изоляционные палаты, and cleanrooms, where maintaining ultra-clean air is critical. Medical-grade HEPA filters feature tighter fiber density and enhanced sealing to prevent any bypass leakage. - Абсолютный & Ultra-HEPA Filters (Класс A/U.)
These ultra-high-efficiency filters capture over 99.999% частиц, making them suitable for pharmaceutical manufacturing, Полупроводниковое производство, and high-level biosafety environments. Due to their dense media, they have a higher pressure drop and require powerful airflow systems.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a HEPA Filter
Selecting the right HEPA filter requires balancing efficiency, airflow, долговечность, and cost. At Airyfilter, we recommend evaluating the following key factors:
1. Required air quality and cleanroom class
Start with the target cleanliness level—ISO Class 5 filling zone, ISO класс 7 cleanroom, high‑risk isolation room, or a “near‑clean” industrial area—because this largely dictates whether you need H13, H14, or ULPA filtration. Many ISO 7–8 areas and general cleanrooms operate reliably with H13 filters, while ISO 5 zones, sterile filling lines, or highly sensitive electronics production may call for H14 or above.
2. Airflow rate and pressure drop
Every HEPA filter introduces resistance to airflow, and the higher the efficiency and the denser the media, the higher the pressure drop. Typical HEPA filters may have initial pressure drops in the range of 150–250 Pa, with final recommended resistance often reaching 400–600 Pa depending on the system design.
If you upgrade from a lower‑grade filter to an H14 or ULPA filter without checking the fan curve and available static pressure, you can lose air changes per hour (Ах) and compromise cleanroom performance. Airy engineers routinely help customers balance HEPA efficiency, face velocity, and pressure drop to keep systems within their design envelope.
3. Filter media and frame materials
HEPA filters can be built with glass fiber, synthetic media, or PTFE‑based membranes, each offering different trade‑offs in efficiency, dust‑holding capacity, and resistance to humidity or chemicals. Frame materials such as galvanized steel, aluminum, stainless steel, or MDF must match your temperature, corrosion, and fire‑safety requirements, especially in pharmaceutical and industrial environments.
At Airy Filter, we manufacture its own filter media and assembles HEPA filters in‑house, giving tight control over media selection, Геометрия складки, and frame design for OEM and project‑specific needs.
4. System compatibility and installation method
The physical size, depth, and sealing system of the HEPA filter must match your air handling unit, fan‑filter unit, or terminal housing. Options include headered or headerless construction, gasket‑seal or gel‑seal frames, and custom sizes to retrofit existing ceiling grids or AHU filter sections without structural changes.
We support custom HEPA sizes and multiple frame profiles, you can align filter dimensions with existing housings, minimizing installation time and retrofit cost.
5. Maintenance interval and lifecycle cost
Total cost of ownership (TCO) matters as much as initial filter price, especially in large cleanroom or industrial HVAC systems. A high‑efficiency HEPA filter with no proper pre‑filter can clog quickly, causing high pressure drop, elevated energy use, and frequent downtime for replacement.
We typically recommend multi‑stage filtration—coarse, fine, then HEPA—to extend service life, reduce energy consumption, and keep your overall filtration system cost‑effective over time.
Common Mistakes When Selecting a HEPA Filter
Many users make avoidable errors when choosing a HEPA filter:
- Selecting incorrect HEPA grade for the application.
- Ignoring капля давления, leading to underperforming fans.
- Focusing solely on price rather than long-term cost and energy efficiency.
- Overlooking installation compatibility, causing bypass leaks.
- Neglecting environmental factors, like humidity or chemical exposure.
By avoiding these mistakes, you ensure the filter performs effectively and lasts as expected.
How to Choose the Right HEPA Filter for Different Applications
Residential Air Purifiers: H13 panel filters are sufficient for capturing dust, пыльца, and smoke.
Медицинский & Laboratory Environments: H14 filters or ULPA are required for surgical rooms, Изоляционные палаты, and cleanrooms.
Industrial Applications: Bag or cartridge HEPA filters handle high airflow and dust loads in factories, clean manufacturing, or semiconductor production.
Системы HVAC: Mini-pleat HEPA filters optimize airflow while maintaining high efficiency in central air handling units.
Airyfilter offers a range of customized HEPA solutions tailored to these applications, helping clients achieve both compliance and optimal air quality.
How to Select a Reliable HEPA Filter Manufacturer or Supplier
Working with a professional manufacturer ensures:
- Consistent HEPA grade and performance
- Access to customized solutions for specific airflow and dimensions
- Compliance with international standards
- Reliable technical support for installation, testing, and maintenance
Основано в 2009, Воздушный фильтр (https://airyfilter.com/) integrates air filter media production and finished filter manufacturing in a 10,000 m² facility, with a monthly capacity of around 200,000 единицы. The company holds certifications such as ISO9001, ISO14001, CE, SGS, and EN‑compliant test reports, and exports HEPA filters and filtration solutions to spray booth, cleanroom, HVAC, and industrial customers worldwide.
Final Checklist Before Buying a HEPA Filter
Before purchasing, consider this quick checklist:
- Determine the required HEPA grade for your environment.
- Verify airflow and pressure drop compatibility with your system.
- Confirm размер, frame, and installation type.
- Check material durability for your operational conditions.
- Ensure certifications and testing standards are met.
- Review maintenance requirements and energy consumption.
- Choose a reliable supplier with technical support and customization capabilities.
Following these steps ensures your HEPA filter performs efficiently, lasts longer, and provides the clean air quality your project requires.
В Airyfilter, we combine expertise, certified materials, and tailored solutions to help you select the perfect HEPA filter for any project.
