 | Keith Bomholt
has been installing and servicing residential garage doors since 1971. He is president and owner of Cheney Door Company, Inc. headquartered in Wichita with a second location in Hutchinson. Cheney Door offers several products for the home including replacement windows, entry, storm and patio doors and central vacuum systems. Commercially Cheney Door sells and installs overhead doors and dock equipment in Kansas and surrounding states.
Keith, who is a member of the Wichita Area Builders Association and the Wichita and Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce may be contacted by e-mail at keith@cheneydoor.com or by phone at (316) 262-2098. |
Home Improvement
2009-02-01 14:22:00
What is a hepa filter?
Questions: What does HEPA mean? How does a HEPA Air Filtration System work? What can it do for my home?
Answer: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance. During World War II in the United States HEPA filters were first developed to stop the release of radioactive particles from the exhausts at nuclear reactor facilities and then later used in industrial, medical and military clean rooms where small particles might interfere with research or technology development.
To qualify as a True HEPA filter, a standard created by the US Atomic Energy Commission, a filter must be able to remove 99.97 percent of all particles that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger from the air. This means the filter can remove nearly all types of airborne allergens (e.g., pollen, mold) and many troublesome particles (e.g., tobacco smoke). True HEPA filters generally allow less airflow and cost more than other types of filters. A micron is 300 times smaller than the thickness of one human hair.
HEPA filters work by forcefully pushing air through filters made of microscopic glass fibers. The glass is very thin, almost to the consistency of paper. As the fan brings the air through the HEPA filter, pathogens and other allergens are trapped in the filter and the air is released. The result of these trapped contaminants is fresh, clean air in your home or office. HEPA Air Filtration Systems can be purchased as a whole house system or portable units, which can be rolled from room to room. HEPA filters can last up to five years or longer.
Before a HEPA Air Filtration System is installed the quality of air is measured to show the amount of contaminants in the air and then measured again after the installation. Most people are astounded at the difference in the quality of air and how much quality of life improves.
Contaminants are indoors as well as outdoors. Everyone has a physical tolerance level for airborne chemicals and particulates. The higher the level of contaminants in the air, the quicker a person reaches their tolerance level. At that tipping point of tolerance the contaminants can damage the respiratory system and general health. Significant reduction of contaminants in the home can help the body recover from constant exposure to contaminants outside the home. The body can start on a road to well being inside a home with a HEPA Air Filtration System.
