If you are living in Singapore, you might have experienced the infamous haze season. Haze is not just a foggy inconvenience but also really tricks our health. It can also disrupt our day-to-day lives.
Given the challenges of the haze season, it’s no surprise that the demand for air purifiers in Singaporehas skyrocketed. People are more informed and proactive about their health and recognise the value of clean indoor air. This surge in demand has led to many air purifier models flooding the market.
And here’s a trend you’ll notice: many of these models prominently highlight the Hepa Air Filter feature. Why? Because brands understand that when it comes to combating haze, the Hepa Air Filter is a non-negotiable asset.
This filter is the solution we are all looking for to breathe easier when the haze season rolls in.
What Exactly is Haze and How Can HEPA Air Filter Help?
So, what’s the deal with this haze season in Singapore?
The haze is primarily caused by forest fires from neighbouring regions, significantly when land is cleared using the slash-and-burn method. These fires send a thick smog over Singapore, turning the skies grey and the air heavy.
Breathing in this hazy air isn’t just like enjoying a foggy day. It comes with health risks. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory issues, eye irritations, and a general feeling of unwellness. Environmentally speaking, the haze also contributes to reduced air quality, affecting both humans and wildlife.
This is where the significance of air purifiers comes into play. Think of them as indoor shields, working tirelessly to keep the bad stuff out. And among these, the Hepa Air Filter stands out.
Why? A HEPA Air Filter is designed to trap even the tiniest of harmful particles, ensuring that the air inside our homes remains clean and breathable. So, during haze season, having an air purifier equipped with a Hepa Air Filter is like having a personal guardian for your lungs. It’s a game-changer.
What is a HEPA Air Filter?
Alright, let’s get to know our hero a bit better: the Hepa Air Filter. «HEPA» stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. But in simpler terms, it’s a type of filter that’s a superstar at trapping tiny particles that many other filters might miss.
One of the standout characteristics of a Hepa Air Filter is its efficiency. Imagine a super-fine net that catches everything from dust mites and pollen to smoke and those pesky haze particles. That’s your Hepa Air Filter in action. It’s so meticulous that it can trap particles as tiny as 0.3 microns. To put that into perspective, human hair is about 50-70 microns wide.
Now, the Hepa Air Filter plays a central role when we talk about air purifiers. It’s like the heart of the machine. While the cleaner pulls in the air from your room, the Hepa Air Filter does the heavy lifting, ensuring that the air blown back out is clean and free from harmful particles. So, the Hepa Air Filter is the unsung hero in purifier air technology, ensuring we breathe more manageable and healthier.
The Working Principle of HEPA Air Filters
The science behind the Hepa Air Filter’s efficiency is a blend of these trapping mechanisms: direct impaction, sieving, interception, and diffusion. Each mechanism targets particles of different sizes, ensuring that virtually nothing harmful gets through.
The Hepa Air Filter is like a vigilant goalkeeper, never letting any unwanted particles pass. Whether it’s the larger debris or the tiniest haze components, the Hepa filter stands guard, ensuring the air we breathe indoors is as clean as possible.
HEPA Air Filter vs. Other Filters
HEPA Air Filter vs Activated Carbon Filters:
Activated carbon filters are excellent at removing gases, odours, and chemical vapours. They have a vast surface area that attracts and captures these contaminants. However, the Hepa Air Filter takes the lead when it comes to solid particles like dust, pollen, and haze. Its dense fibre matrix is unmatched in trapping these particulates.
HEPA Air Filter vs. Ionic Filters:
Ionic filters release charged ions into the air. These ions attach to airborne particles, making them heavy and causing them to fall to the ground. While they can be effective, they don’t actually «trap» the particles in the cleaner. On the other hand, the Hepa Air Filter captures and keeps the particles, preventing them from re-entering the room’s atmosphere.
HEPA Air Filter vs. UV Filters:
UV filters use ultraviolet light to kill or neutralise airborne pathogens like bacteria and viruses. They’re fantastic for that purpose but don’t physically trap particles. The Hepa Air Filter complements this by ensuring particles, whether dead or alive, are captured and not inhaled.
Types of HEPA Air Filters
Regarding the Hepa Air Filter, it’s not a one-size-fits-all scenario. There are several types tailored for different needs. Let’s unravel this a bit.
True HEPA Air Filter
This gold standard captures at least 99.97% of particles as tiny as 0.3 microns. If you’re facing the brunt of the haze in Singapore, this Hepa Air Filter is your best bet.
Type A HEPA Air Filter
It’s practical but less rigorous than the True Hepa. It captures around 99% of particles, making it a good choice for less severe conditions.
Type B HEPA Air Filter and several others
Each has varying efficiencies and is tailored for specific scenarios.
Now, if you’re in Singapore and the haze season is knocking on your door, how do you pick the suitable Hepa Air Filter?
Here’s a tip: Look at the particle size and efficiency rate the filter can capture. Given the composition of haze, a True Hepa Air Filter is often recommended. It ensures maximum protection, capturing the myriad particles that haze brings.
Price Range of Air Purifier With HEPA Air Filter in Singapore
(Rough Estimates Only. Prices may fluctuate based on promotions, new model releases and other market factors)
Entry-Level Models:
- SGD 100 — SGD 300
- They are typically designed for smaller rooms or personal use.
- It may have basic features and a more straightforward design.
Mid-Range Models:
- SGD 300 — SGD 700
- Suitable for medium-sized rooms.
- It often comes with additional features like air quality indicators, multiple fan speeds, or combined filter technologies (e.g., activated carbon).
High-End Models:
- SGD 700 — SGD 2,000 (or more)
- Designed for larger spaces or even whole-house purification.
- It may include advanced features like smart sensors, app integration, or specialised filters for specific allergens or pollutants.
Premium Brands:
- Prices can exceed SGD 2,000.
- Brands with a global reputation for air purification might charge a premium.
- These models often come with cutting-edge technology, extended warranties, and superior build quality.
Key Takeaway:
As the haze season in Singapore casts its grey shadow, safeguarding our health becomes paramount. Amidst various protective measures, the Hepa Air Filter emerges as a silent yet potent guardian. Its unparalleled ability to trap even the minutest of harmful particles ensures that the air we breathe indoors remains a sanctuary of purity, even when the outside world is clouded by haze.
But the benefits of investing in a quality air purifier equipped with a Hepa filter extend beyond just the haze season. Clean air is a cornerstone of good health. By consistently filtering out pollutants, allergens, and other airborne contaminants, these devices play a pivotal role in reducing respiratory issues allergies, and ensuring overall well-being.
Don’t let the haze dictate the quality of your indoor air. Choose the best defense with a top-notch air purifier with a Hepa filter at Megafurniture now!
For Home Upgrade, Opt For These Articles:
Interior Design Singapore: Best Firms for Your Next Home Renovation
Your Ultimate Cheat Sheet to Renovation in Singapore: HDB Guidelines, Procedures & Tips
Bonus Treat: How Can We Tell if Singapore Haze Is Severe
The National Environment Agency (NEA) of Singapore provides regular updates on the PSI levels, and these levels are categorised to indicate the health implications of the haze:
0-50 (Good): Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little risk.
51-100 (Moderate): Air quality is acceptable; however, there may be a risk for some susceptible people to air pollution.
101-200 (Unhealthy): Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more severe health effects.
201-300 (Very Unhealthy): Health alert: everyone may experience more severe health effects.
Above 300 (Hazardous): Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
To determine the severity of the haze in Singapore:
Check the NEA Website: The National Environment Agency’s official website provides real-time updates on the PSI levels.
NEA Mobile Apps: NEA has mobile applications that provide real-time air quality information.
News Outlets: Local news channels and newspapers often report on the haze situation, especially if it’s severe.
Visibility: A very rudimentary method is to observe visibility. If buildings or structures that are usually visible become obscured by haze, it indicates worsening air quality.