Air purifiers are an excellent method to improve the air in your home. The filter in an air purifier is good at getting rid of small things like smog and smoke. Since the air purifier filter does these jobs, is the air purifier pre-filter necessary?
Yes, the air purifier pre-filter is necessary. It would help if you used a pre-filter to keep your air purifier’s main HEPA filter in good shape. By doing this, you are increasing your air purifier’s lifespan.
In the end, you’ll be saving a whole lot of money. So why don’t you read on as I discuss air purifier pre-filters?
What is an Air Purifier Pre-Filter?
A pre-filter is a large-particle air filter that eliminates pollen, dust, and hair. The pre-filter is in front of the primary filter. As a result, airflow passes through the pre-filter before reaching the main filter.
Pre-filters are the initial step in an air purifier’s filtration process. They aren’t as effective as the main air filter, but they do keep it from becoming clogged with debris.
Types of Pre-Filters
Mesh and carbon pre-filters are the two types of pre-filters available. A mesh pre-filter traps only solid particles, while a carbon filter traps gas and solid particles. However, the type of pre-filter in an air purifier depends on the other internal filters.
A carbon filter is an advanced type of pre-filter. It comprises activated carbon material in granules, powder, or honeycomb.
An activated carbon air filter keeps large particles out of the purifier and traps gaseous contaminants. This results in cleaner air that contains fewer contaminants and smells better.
A mesh pre-filter air filter has microscopic pores that enable air to pass through. It does this while preventing large particles from getting in. Its purpose is to catch big particles before they reach the air purifier device.
Benefits of Using Pre-Filters
There are several merits to using purifiers with pre-filters, and some of them include the following:
They Increase The Lifespan Of Main Filters
A pre-filter will help your HEPA filter last longer in your air purifier. The HEPA filter has a small mesh, so it is easy to get clogged.
They Capture Dust
Pre-filters in air purifiers get rid of dust and other big things. They work by removing many small things before they reach the HEPA filter, the first line of defense.
Pre-filters in air purifiers pick up pet hair and pollen before they can get into the air. Pet hair and pollen can quickly clog a HEPA filter, which is why this is good.
Easy To Clean
You can clean and reuse pre-filters many times. To get rid of small particles from a conventional reusable filter, spray it with water and dry it.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have a pre-filter that you can use again. Pre-filters have less-effective filter material, so they don’t work as well. On the other hand, they’re much less expensive than HEPA filters if you need to change them.
What Are Pre-Filters Made Of?
Pre-filters are usually made of materials that are either cheap or disposable. Therefore, a pre-filter will likely last a long time. This is because it should be cleaned rather than thrown away after each use.
Do You Need a Pre-Filter?
When using an air purifier, you need a pre-filter to eliminate the big particles that can clog the filter or shorten its life. Pre-filters are good because they protect the main internal filters from damage.
The main benefit of having a pre-filter in your air purifier is that it costs less to keep it clean. The cost of using an air purifier is replacing the HEPA filters. Pre-filtering saves money by making the HEPA filter last longer.
How To Clean A Pre-Filter
Cleaning the pre-filter on an air purifier is the same as cleaning other reusable types of filters. Before doing anything else, ensure that the pre-filter is washable. This is because some pre-filters are not cleanable and reusable.
In most cases, you can rewash pre-filters made of polyester. If your air cleaner has a mesh screen, you can also clean it. However, you can’t wash pre-filters made of fiberglass.
Below are the steps to follow in cleaning a pre-filter.
- Keep the air purifier off and away from any power sources.
- To keep dust from building up, put your air purifier in a plastic bag and put it away from the ground.
- You can shake off the dust or clean the pre-filter with a hose outside. Large particles that get stuck in a pre-filter are easy to get rid of most of the time.
If your pre-filter is very dirty, you may need to scrape it with soap and water to clean it.
Take your time to scrub your pre-filter so you don’t damage it. It will help if you do not clean the pre-filter with a machine.
- Ensure that the pre-filter in your air purifier has been dried out completely before you put it back. You must dry the pre-filter in the open air to ensure it is safe to use. When you want to dry the pre-filter, don’t use heat or a machine to dry it out.
- Make sure to put the pre-filter back in the air purifier’s filter slot. Make sure it latches and is in the same place as when you last used it.
Importance Of Changing A Pre-Filter
It’s essential to change your pre-filter regularly. This is to ensure that it doesn’t get clogged up with debris. If your air purifier’s pre-filter is dirty, the amount of air it can move will reduce.
If you cut back on the airflow to your air purifier, its ability to clean the air will be less effective. A clogged pre-filter makes the fan motor work harder and uses more energy.
How Often An Air Purifier Pre-Filter Should Be Changed
It’s important to clean or change the pre-filter of your air purifier every 30 days to work better. You will need to change your pre-filter more often if your home is dirty or you have pets.
Pre-filters pick up dust, pollen, and even hair, which is good. However, over time, these small particles will build upon the pre-filter. So, you will need to clean and replace the pre-filter at some point.
It’s best to check your air purifier’s filters once a week to see if you need to change or wash them.
Is Pre-Filter Required For UV?
Your UV purifier system needs pre-filters; they aren’t an optional part of the system. Pre-filters remove things from the water to stop UV radiation from reaching bacteria. Impeding components like dirt, sediments, debris, and absorbent substances can protect bacteria from UV light.
So, a pre-filter is necessary to remove particulate matter for UV filters to work at their best.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Adding A Pre-Filter Reduce My Airflow?
The addition of a pre-filter will not make the airflow less. Most performance air filters let in too much air for the engine to handle, so they don’t work very well. In reality, a pre-filter keeps your primary filter clean for longer.
Thus, allowing your engine to keep its airflow and power for longer distances.
Why Is A Pre-Filter Important?
Pre-filters stop particles from clogging air filters. When the air filter blocks early and service intervals are extended. Also, they protect your engine without compromising airflow or horsepower.
Using a pre-filter properly will save you money on filter cleaning and extend the life of your engine.
How Long Do Pre-Filters Last?
Pre-filters have an average lifespan of three to six months. Therefore, it’s recommended that you change carbon filters once every year or two. Remember that not all the components of a filter need replacement at the same interval.
Are Hepa Pre-Filters Washable?
Depending on whether the filter says it’s washable or not, it’s possible that you could wash or clean the filter, and it would still work. However, the washable HEPA filter is not standard. In addition, no research has been done to see how well these filters work after cleaning.
Can Air Purifiers Capture Cat Hair?
Air purifiers can capture cat hair and dog hair. They can also capture particles far smaller than that, such as pet dander. Air purifiers also help freshen the air in your home by reducing the scents in pet owners’ homes.
Can I Use An Air Purifier Without A Pre-Filter?
It would be best if you chose an air purifier with a pre-filter. This is because they can save you money in the long run on your energy bills. Additionally, they help keep your main filter clean for a longer period.
Should I Use A Pre-Filter In A Water Filter?
Even though you don’t have to use a pre-filter, it is essential. A pre-filter is nothing more than a filter with a much bigger pore size. There is no reason to put in a pre-filter if you already have tiny pores to remove bacteria from the water.
Can I Rewash A Carbon Pre-Filter?
It is not possible to wash a carbon filter. This is because carbon has a loose chemical connection with various substances, and water won’t wash these bonded substances.