When considering a home filtration system, it can be hard to sort through the immense number of options available today. There are a large number of models claiming to be the best in the business, and some seem to love using buzzwords to catch your attention. Some of these filters fall into the category of ionic air purifiers, while others are called HEPA filters and purifiers. These two types of filtration systems are very different in how they operate, and sometimes, it can be easy to get your terms mixed up.
That’s why we’re here to help. By the end of this article, you should be able to tell the main differences between the two, and which filtration system might be right for you. The following are five of the major differences between Ionic and HEPA air purification systems.
1) Air Cleaning Process
Let’s start with exactly how these systems are supposed to function. While it may initially seem that these air filters are fairly similar, the ways in which they filter the air are very different! The processes can initially feel somewhat complex, but are actually surprisingly simple.
While not all ionic purifiers (or ionizers) have exactly the same process of cleaning the air, they all have main ideas that allow them to be called ionic purifiers. First, air is pulled into the purifier through a set of charged electrodes, which alter the charges of airborne particles in the air as they pass through. The air then passes through a set of oppositely charged plates. As we have all learned from magnets, opposite charges attract, and airborne particles get stuck to the plates, allowing cleaner air to escape on the other side.
IMPORTANT: Ionic purifiers are NOT ozone generators! This type of machine produces ozone, which bonds with particles external to the machine in the air and causes them to fall to the ground anywhere they happen to come into contact with ozone. These are generally not effective at ozone levels that are deemed safe for humans and should be avoided.
HEPA filters, on the other hand, stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filters. These are high-density filters made of a fibre-like material that traps very fine particles floating in the air. These filters work just like any other type of filter you might be familiar with, trapping anything that is larger than the spaces that let other smaller particles (like air molecules) through.
2) Particle Size Filtered
To meet the standard associated with the HEPA name, it must remove airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, or one millionth of a metre. It must also do this at 99.97% efficiency, meaning at most 3 in 10,000 particles are allowed through the filter. A HEPA purifier usually features a primary filter to trap larger dust before a secondary HEPA filter captures any microscopic dust afterwards.
HEPA filtration systems are the best option for removing the most airborne particulate from your air, and will generally leave it cleaner. Ionizers shouldn’t be left out, however, as they are excellent for light-duty cleaning and do a better job of killing airborne germs than their HEPA counterparts. In general, HEPA purifiers are better at trapping anything from large to fairly small particulates, and ionizers are better at smaller particulates, potentially including those of a size HEPA filters won’t catch.
3) Cost And Maintenance
Ionizers usually require less up-front cost, ranging from $50 to $1,700 for top-end models. Ionizers also have much lower-cost maintenance. The particulate-attracting plates can be cleaned and reused, as the particles are simply stuck to the plates rather than trapped within them. It is not uncommon for an ionizer to use the same plates for its entire lifecycle. Some ionizers also feature some filtration, and usually these filters are cleanable and reusable a few times before requiring replacement.
Reliable HEPA purifiers generally start on the low end at around $150, reaching as much as $2,200 for household units. They are also much higher maintenance than ionizers, and require replacement filters every year at most. Depending on the model of purifier and amount of use, replacing filters will probably run you $75 to $150 on average per filter, and can be as much as $200.
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4) Air Flow
This is a fairly simple one. Most ionizers simply require the air to move through an open space where particulates get attracted to charged plates, rather than being forced through filters. This means that they do not need a high fan speed to perform. Indeed, fan speeds that are too high might mean that charged particles don’t get a chance to get attracted to plates, and ionizers do not feature an adjustable fan speed for this reason. They will come with a preset air speed, which is optimized for the unit to ensure the most air gets through while also trapping the most particulate.
HEPA purifiers, on the other hand, do require forcing air through up to three filters, depending on the system. As a result, the fan power is usually higher and moves a higher volume of air through the filter. Filters have the added benefit of not caring how fast particles are moving: it will always become trapped due to the size of the particle itself. This means that the fan speed is almost always adjustable based on your needs.
5) Maximum Area Coverage
It is here that ionizers really shine if you need a purifier that can purify large spaces. One of the top performing ionizers can purify up to 3,500 square feet: enough for even the largest home or business. That being said, most homeowners won’t require such a large coverage, and the most effective HEPA purifier reaches 1,560 square feet, which is still enough for the majority of modern homes.
Summary
Choosing the right purification system comes down to a large number of factors, and neither option is necessarily better than the others. The following chart should provide a good overview of the differences between these filtration systems and allow you to make an educated decision that suits your needs.
| Ionic Air Purifier (Ionizer) | HEPA Purifier | |
| Cleaning Process | Charged plates attracting finer particles | High-density filters trapping small to large particles |
| Particles Filtered | 0.1 microns to small particles | 0.3 microns to large dust |
| Initial Cost (Home Models) | $50 – $1,700 | $150 – $2,200 |
| Maintenance Cost | Low to none | $100 – $250 per year |
| Air Flow | Low to Medium (non-adjustable) | Medium to High (adjustable) |
| Maximum Area Coverage | 3,500 sq ft | 1,560 sq ft |
In general, for most home applications, HEPA purifiers will function better in cleaning a greater range in size of particles from your home, but do require higher up front and maintenance costs. Ionizers are great for light work and some at killing airborne germs, also requiring a low overall cost. In the end, there is no right decision, and it is best to do your research to find what best works for you.
Author’s Bio
Colin Hegarty is a content writer for BreezeMaxWeb that helps businesses showcase their brand through enticing copy. When he’s not working, you can find him playing net in a local beer league or biking around the city.
