Table of Contents
How much does a HEPA filter restrict airflow?
These air filters remove 99.97 percent of particles down to a size of . 3 microns. HEPA filters are the gold standard in hospitals and clinics because they remove not only inorganic dust, but microorganisms such as mold spores, bacteria, pollen, dust mites and many viruses.
Does a HEPA filter restrict airflow?
High-efficiency particulate arrestance (HEPA) filters: These are the true high end of filtration and are able to filter out 0.3 micron particles. HEPA filters drastically restrict airflow and should only be matched to a compatible system.
How do you find the air velocity of a HEPA filter?
5.1 Ensure that air handling unit is “ON” of that area. 5.2 Measure the hood /grill size and calculate the area of the hood / grill in sqft. 5.3 In case of terminal HEPA filters place the calibrated anemometer 6 inches away from the grill at different locations and measure the air velocity in feet per minute.
What rating are HEPA filters?
MERV 17
All HEPA filters have a rating of a MERV 17 or higher. A HEPA filter with a MERV 17 rating will trap 99.97% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 micron in size and an even better % of particles below 0.3 microns and above (HEPA filters are rated at their worst performance).
Do HEPA filters have MERV ratings?
HEPA air filters are not MERV rated as they exceed the ASHRAE test protocol 52.2 used in determining the MERV ratings. All HEPA air filters must meet a minimum efficiency of 99.97% at 0.3 microns.
Can I add a HEPA filter to my HVAC?
2. Add a HEPA Filtration Unit to Your Existing HVAC System. Perhaps the most viable option for whole-space (home or work) indoor air filtration is to add an external HEPA filtration unit to your existing HVAC system. These units can be retrofitted to work with any type of ducted HVAC system.
Is MERV 16 too restrictive?
Filters within a MERV rating of 17-20 are almost never necessary in a residential home. A MERV rating of 13-16 is considered hospital level air quality, so it is unlikely your home needs any more than that.
Is a MERV 13 filter too restrictive?
At this point, it’s also important to note: MERV ratings go above 13. However, they’re too restrictive for normal home HVAC systems, and thus using them can cause potentially expensive problems.
What is air velocity of HEPA?
The longstanding specification for HEPA filter media velocity is 10.5 feet per minute and it dates back to the Department of Defense Military Specifications for gas masks.
What is the velocity of air?
Air velocity (distance traveled per unit of time) is most often expressed in feet per minute (FPM). Multiplying air velocity by the area of a duct allows you to determine the air volume flowing past a point in the duct per unit of time. Volume flow is generally measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Is MERV 13 too restrictive?
“MERV” is the standard rating system used in the HVAC industry to determine how well a filter works. And MERV 13 is the highest rating recommended for home use. (Anything above it will restrict airflow too much and could damage your HVAC system).
What MERV rating is a HEPA filter?
MERV 17 to 20
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are not MERV-rated, but a HEPA filter is typically considered as MERV 17 to 20, which is the highest group in MERV ratings.