With most people looking for better ways to protect themselves against potential airborne transmission of COVID-19, many products on the market are being promoted as effective devices to implement in their residences and businesses. One step towards reducing the risk of COVID-19 noted by many health safety organizations would be the upgrade of the building’s air filter to one that is rated at a MERV 13 level or higher.

With the recommendation of a MERV 13 or higher, does a MERV 13 filter satisfy your needs? A MERV 13 filter is a step in the right direction and captures more particles than a typical MERV 8 filter. However, it is not as good at capturing small virus sized particles like a HEPA can. A MERV 13 will trap less than 75% of air particles that are 0.3-1.0 micron in size (the coronavirus is 0.1 microns). It's also difficult for many existing HVAC systems to adopt a MERV 13 due to the increased load on the fan from the finer filter media, which can actually cause more harm than good and actually reduce airflow if your system isn’t designed to handle that type of filter. Many facilities are limited to a MERV 8 or MERV 9 filter type.

Here is where the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter comes in. A HEPA filter is essentially the ultimate solution in the air filter world and far exceeds what a MERV 13 is able to do. 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 even better % of particles below 0.3 microns and above (they are rated at their worst rating). A HEPA filter’s proven ability to capture extremely small particles like viruses and bacteria is why they are used in hospital operating rooms.

Considering the threat that the spread of COVID-19 or other pathogens pose, an upgrade of a building’s air filter to a HEPA is a far more effective step than just to a MERV 13 considering the small size of the virus (0.06-0.12 microns), the more efficient the filter is, the better. The problem is that a HEPA is too fine of filter media to implement in existing HVAC systems and the only way to add it to a facility is through a standalone or portable HEPA air purifier system with its own dedicated fan which is designed for the increased resistance of this filter type.

At ISO-Aire, our commercial-grade HEPA air purifiers come standard with a proven HEPA filter. This allows any facility to easily upgrade to medically clean air without having to do a costly redesign of the current HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system by providing a HEPA in our stand-alone portable air purifier or by connecting one to your existing ductwork. Our medical-grade HEPA filter is rated at 99.99% effective or better at its worst rating of 0.3 microns but is even better at capturing particles that are smaller or larger than that size providing a high level of safety for those within your building. In addition, we offer the option to bolster the powerful HEPA filter with proven technology of ozone-free bipolar ionization and/or ultraviolet-C germicidal (UVC) irradiation. Check out our blogs on bipolar ionization and UVC to learn more - [ Ссылка ]

In conclusion, the investment of a HEPA filtration system or portable HEPA air purifier, when sized appropriately for the space, will go a long way towards providing clean air and peace of mind for all those within the building.

What is a MERV Rating and How Does It Compare with HEPAs?
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