What’s Better for Cold & Flu Season: A HEPA Filter or UV Light System

HEPA Filter vs. UV Light System

Clean, healthy air is a must in any home. When cold & flu season rolls around, you may look for any solution possible to help relieve your symptoms or protect your family.

Air purification systems are a great way to attack the threat before reaching your body. This added layer of protection can help prevent germs from spreading around your home and between family members.

Here are two air purifying methods and how they stack up against germs.

HEPA Filters

HEPA, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, are used in many modern HVAC systems and air purifiers. This is one of the most effective types of filters available for home use, as they can filter our particles sized 0.3 microns at 99.97 percent of the time. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, this includes dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria.

The filter works by trapping particles in its web, so some bacteria and virus particles that cause disease can be removed from the air using a HEPA filter. Research is still being performed to determine just how effective a HEPA filter is at this job.

UV Light

Ultraviolet light is a common air cleaning device, and it works completely differently than HEPA filters. There’s no filter involved, just a light attached to your HVAC system. The light actually kills bacteria and viruses rather than just trapping them. UV light can also kill mold and other microorganisms.

Whether UV light effectively removes viruses and bacteria from your home depends on the proper setup, operation, and the size and type of the germs.

If you want to protect your home from viruses and bacteria, consult with your local HVAC technician about which system would be beneficial for your home. And make sure to practice proper cleaning habits, as air purification systems can only capture airborne particles, not any on surfaces.

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The Standard Heating & Air Conditioning team has delivered great service and practical solutions for homeowners for over 90 years. Contact our experts today at (612) 324-1015 to get the comfort you deserve.