What is the difference between a HEPA filter in a vacuum, and a HEPA vacuum?
A true HEPA vacuum must have NO leakage of dust around the filter. 100% of all working air, as well as motor cooling air, must pass through a HEPA filter. A HEPA vacuum must be designed properly so the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of airflow, does not exceed the capacity of the filter. This level of filtration and attention to leakage is very expensive. There are true HEPA vacuums on the market today, they are sometimes called critical air vacuums, and may cost thousands of dollars. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is just what it says – the vacuum has a HEPA grade filter in it. But the machine may not guarantee that 100% all the working and cooling air goes through the filters. There may not be a HEPA filter physically located after the exhaust port. An incorrect assumption is made that by simply running the air through HEPA filters, it will make the vacuum a HEPA vacuum. Most vacuums we deal with simply install HEPA quality filters in machines. Although many of these machines have
