If you're looking into buying a new air conditioner for your home, you might want to know if it's equipped with a HEPA filter. HEPA filters keep particles and allergens from getting into your house much better than standard air filters. We've researched Daikin air conditioners and looked at whether or not they have HEPA filters. Here's what we found:
No, Daikin air conditioners don't have HEPA filters, but its line of air purifiers does. All Daikin air conditioners, however, come with a standard air filter.
Daikin air conditioners use a standard air filtration system made up of a lower-efficiency air filter than a HEPA filter. This filter needs to be changed or cleaned periodically. You may be surprised to learn that most air conditioners, not only Daikin, do not have HEPA filters. Read on to find out more.
Why Do Most Air Conditioners Not Have HEPA Filters?
A HEPA filter is designed to trap particles of both macroscopic and microscopic sizes. These particles include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, etc.
HEPA filters also remove odor from the air. This way, you'll enjoy a clean and fresh-smelling environment every day. If you have allergies or asthma, a HEPA filter can help clear out the allergens causing your symptoms.
As far as air conditioning is concerned, including HEPA filters in your air conditioning system is not necessary. A HEPA filter in an air conditioning unit is a good idea. However, this type of filter has its fibers interwoven so tightly that it restricts airflow.
This causes a lot of stress on the air conditioner, more than a MERV 16-rated air filter can do.
The MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) scale is used to describe the efficiency of filters regarding their ability to trap airborne particulates. A higher number means that an air filter is more effective at filtering smaller pollutants.
Keep in mind that a HEPA filter filters 99.97 percent of particulates the size of 0.3 microns, while a MERV 16-rated air filter can filter only 95 to 99.96 percent of the same. According to ISO-Aire, even a MERV 13 air filter is already considered an overkill.
ISO-Aire is a leading manufacturer of HEPA-certified air purifiers in the U.S. Check out the video below to compare a HEPA filter and a MERV-13-rated air filter.
Is There a Daikin Air Conditioner Equipped with a HEPA Filter?
Daikin has specified that its split air conditioning system can purify the air, but it doesn't say it's a HEPA-level type of purification.
A leading HVAC authority based in Perth, Australia, has implicated the difference between the type of air filtration Daikin split system uses from HEPA filtration by distinguishing one from the other.
What Type of Filter Does a Daikin Air Conditioner Have?
Daikin air conditioners are equipped with filters to help filter the air that comes out of them. However, it is essential to know what type of filter you are looking at. This is critical, so you'll find the one that will work best for your specific Daikin.
If you aren't sure about the type of filter you have, look at your air conditioning unit's user manual or product specification sheet. If the manual doesn't say HEPA, it likely isn't one.
The standard air filter on an air conditioner prevents dust and dirt from entering the unit. This helps keep the inside of the unit clean to be maintained appropriately, thus prolonging its lifespan.
However, you can upgrade it to a higher MERV filter if you want the air quality to be even better than it already is.
All air filters work well, but some are more effective than others. If you would like to improve the air quality of your home or office, consider an air filter that is rated MERV 7.
How Do You Know If Your Air Filter is HEPA?
You'll know if your filter is HEPA by looking at the filter itself. If it is rated MERV 17 and higher, it is equivalent to a HEPA-level filter. This information is printed on the filter frame or the product specification sheet.
What Air Conditioner Filter to Use That is Comparable to a HEPA Filter?
Technically, air conditioner filters that are rated MERV 17 and above are considered to be HEPA filters. MERV 17 air filters are hospital-grade filters and are the most effective air filters for trapping viruses and carbon dust.
If you want to pursue the best possible filter for your air conditioner, it's unnecessary to go with a HEPA filter. If you decide to go with a HEPA filter, you might consider getting a MERV 17 or higher air filter instead.
If you are willing to sacrifice the lifespan of your air conditioner for air quality, then, by all means, use a HEPA filter. Otherwise, you're better off getting a HEPA air purifier separately.
Top 5 HEPA Air Purifiers
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home or office, you may consider investing in a HEPA air purifier. HEPA air purifiers have improved indoor air quality and are an excellent investment for people living in smoggy areas.
Here are the top 5 HEPA air purifiers to date:
1. Levoit Air Purifier 1
The Levoit Air Purifier offers the highest level of purification with the most efficient filtration available. It begins purifying the air in 12 minutes with its ozone-free H13 True HEPA filter as soon as it detects pollutants.
This filter allows it to remove 99.97 percent of bacteria, viruses, mold, pollen, smoke, and other pollutants. It's also very quiet, operating at 24 decibels.
Click here to see this HEPA air purifier on Amazon.
2, Aroeve Air Purifier
The Aroeve Air Purifier is a safe and cost-efficient air purification device that effectively filters indoor air by removing airborne pollutants. It is equipped with an H13 True HEPA filter to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns.
The Aroeve Air Purifier is easy to use and can be used at home or the office. It has a built-in indicator light that signals when the filter needs to be replaced. It also circulates clean, filtered air throughout your living space silently at 22 decibels without irritating you and your family.
Click here to see this Aroeve HEPA air purifier on Amazon.
3. Coway Air Purifier
The Coway Air Purifier uses its 4-stage filtration system to capture ultrafine particles, allergens, and other pollutants. It also features a pollution sensor that keeps track of the current pollutant levels, then gives you an alert when a filter change is needed.
Plus, it is energy-efficient, so you can expect to save money on your electric bill.
Click here to see this HEPA Air Purifier on Amazon.
4. Levoit Air Purifier 4
Levoit Air Purifier is an innovative air purifier. Its timer allows you to set the time when you want it to run and put the purification cycles. It also comes with an indicator for checking the filter.
Levoit Air Purifier utilizes activated carbon as its filtering method, and the odorless purifying agent will absorb foul odors and keep your environment clean. It also comes with a True HEPA filter, which is widely recognized as the second-best air filtration system in the world after ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air).
And finally, the Levoit Air Purifier will run quietly at 23 decibels, so you won't even notice when it's running.
Click here to see this HEPA air purifier on Amazon.
5. Levoit Air Purifier 5
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with the Levoit Air Purifier. You'll experience a cleaner air environment with improved indoor air quality with its True HEPA filter. The patented ozone-free technology and powerful motor remove pollutants and allergens in the air as it flows through.
With the Levoit Air Purifier, you can program the unit to be controlled by your voice through Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also monitor your unit directly from your smartphone or tablet via the VeSync app.
Click here to see this HEPA air purifier on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Although HEPA filters are essential to the air quality of your home, your air conditioner is not required to have one. We have stated the reason, based on our research, why HEPA filters are not recommended for air conditioners. However, you can use a filter that works just as well.
For more information about HEPA filters, check out these related articles: