Air purifiers come in many forms, from regular air purifiers and vacuum purifiers to those based on HEPA and those based on ultraviolet rays. Many consider HEPA filters to be the best on the market for air filtration due to their high reduction rates of particles. However, other types of air filters also reduce particle concentrations. Ultraviolet air purifiers help eliminate bacteria, germs, and viruses.
Therefore, an air purifier with both HEPA and UV may be the best option for trapping and eradicating contaminants, as recommended by the EPA. The main difference between HEPA filters and UV lights is the way they clean the air.
HEPA
filters use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter that captures 99.97% of contaminants of 0.3 microns in size or larger particles. On the other hand, air purifiers with ultraviolet light use certain ultraviolet wavelengths to literally destroy pathogens and air contaminants, but they are ineffective against other types of air contaminants.The first “authentic” HEPA filters appeared in the mid-1970s and continue to take hold in the world of air purification even today. These air purifiers can provide an improved approach to killing mold spores and bacteria, but non-UV purifiers with HEPA H13 filters already remove 99.9% of particles. The concept behind HEPA filters is quite simple: they are basically mats made of glass fibers that capture large and small particles, as small as 0.3 microns in diameter. Similarly, both HEPA filters and air purifiers with UV-C light have their own advantages and disadvantages. As you can see in the table above, HEPA filters are a very effective air cleaning solution and, in general, durable.
I only see one situation where I would prefer an air purifier with UV light instead of HEPA filters - if you have a specific virus or bacteria problem that you would like to get rid of. In conclusion, when it comes to choosing between HEPA or UV air purifiers, it really depends on your needs and preferences. If you're looking for a device that can remove a wide range of particles from the air, then a HEPA filter is probably your best bet. On the other hand, if you're looking for a device that can specifically target bacteria and viruses, then an air purifier with UV light may be your best option.
