The air purifier terms that actually matter, defined in plain language. Understand HEPA versus HEPA-Rx, air changes per hour, MERV ratings, UV-C, PM2.5, and the rest before you choose a system.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air filtration. A true HEPA filter (H13) captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns. Watch for "HEPA-type" filters, which do not meet that standard.
Surgically Clean Air's medical-grade HEPA media, built to true H13 performance for clinical and commercial environments.
How many times the full volume of air in a room passes through filtration each hour. Higher ACH clears contaminants faster; clinical spaces target more ACH than offices.
Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, a 1 to 16 scale for filter efficiency. MERV-13 and above captures fine particulate; industrial units like ATOMIKAIR use washable MERV-13 media.
Germicidal ultraviolet light that neutralizes airborne bacteria and viruses. In an enclosed chamber it treats air as it passes through, with no ozone byproduct.
Particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller, the fine fraction in smoke and pollution that penetrates deep into the lungs. True HEPA captures it.
Clean Air Delivery Rate, the volume of filtered air a purifier produces, often in CFM. It sets how large a space a unit can effectively cover.
Volatile Organic Compounds, gas-phase chemicals behind odors and off-gassing. They require activated carbon adsorption; HEPA alone does not capture gases.
A filtration stage that adsorbs gas-phase pollutants, odors, and VOCs that particle filters pass through.
In dentistry, the wait for aerosols to clear after a procedure. Raising the air changes per hour with a purifier shortens it.
True HEPA (H13) captures 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns to a defined standard. "HEPA-type" or "HEPA-like" filters use similar material but are not certified to that efficiency and typically capture far less in the critical fine-particle range.
It depends on the space. General offices often target a few air changes per hour, while clinical and high-occupancy spaces target more. The right number drives both the unit size and how many units a space needs.
No. HEPA captures particles, not gases. Odors, VOCs, and chemical fumes require an activated carbon stage, which is why clinical systems pair HEPA with carbon.
Our air quality specialists can assess your space and recommend the optimal configuration and number of units for your needs.
