Air filters (also called air cleaners) and air purifiers are commonly thought to be the same same. After all, they both clean the air in some form or another.
In short, both air filters and air purifiers do filter contaminants, but they do so in different manner.
The Difference Between an Air Filter and an Air Purifier
Air Filters (Air Cleaners)
A typical home or business has a forced air and heating and cooling system that blows air through the ductwork and air vents, which are located throughout the building. These systems have air filters that are designed to keep the HVAC unit clean inside. In doing so, they make the HVAC system more efficient. Air filters also reduce airborne particulate like dust and dander from being recirculated throughout the home. They key thing to note here is that air filters work by effectively trapping contaminants.
There are many different types of air filters; not all filters are able to remove the same types of contaminants from the air. HEPA air filters, for example, are widely acknowledged to be most powerful types of air filters on the market because they are capable of capturing 99.97% of contaminants in the air that are as small as 0.3 microns in size. This means that they are effective at capturing not only dust but also bacteria. As such, not only are HEPA air filters used in homes, but they are also used in industries where the air must be highly sanitized. An example here is in the medical industry. There are also carbon air filters, which are effective at removing cigarette smoke and various other chemicals.
Many different industries require custom made filters for their equipment. Examples include various dental equipment and the food and beverage industry. Custom made filters provide superior filtration and have a better performance and filter life over standard filters that can be bought over the shelf. For industries that require extremely clean air, custom made filters would be the answer. These filters are specifically designed for various pieces of equipment.
Air Purifiers
There is a range of air purifiers on the market. Some are standalone systems; others are installed in the ductwork. Air purifiers are designed to kill bacteria, molds and fungus. Air purifiers accomplish this by using UV germicidal lamps (instead of using a filter), which means that some air purifiers can only destroy these organisms when they are in close contact with them.
APC Filtration has been working in air filter design, engineering, manufacturing and testing for industrial, commercial and household equipment for over 35 years. We are a certified manufacturer. We develop premium custom made filters to protect those in every industry. Contact us for more information.
