Thread Number: 21937
HEPA Bags-Are They Worth The Price? |
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Post# 245889   8/15/2013 at 18:52 (3,878 days old) by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)   |   | |
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Since a good number of vacuums in my collection have been vintage direct-air models, I am often forced to use plain paper bags. Hoover sells some excellent allergy bags I really like, but up until recently, paper was the only option. However, whenever I tried HEPA in my modern vacuums, such as a Hoover Windtunnel or Kirby Heritage II, I was never that impressed. I thought the extra cost of the bags was too much considering it didn't provide a significant increase in performance. But recently I've been thinking of ways the price might be justified. Let me know what you think.
*Could the consistent use of HEPA bags, considering how little dust they allow through and their increase in airflow, lengthen the life of the motor and the machine? Less repairs and replacements would certainly save money.
*In your experience, has the use of HEPA bags reduced allergies or improved air quality? Less time dusting or a reduction of allergy symptoms could definitely be worth the added price.
*Has anyone used these type of bags in a commercial environment? Since they maintain airflow longer than paper bags, less bags would have to purchased and less time would be wasted changing them. Plus, if they did increase motor life, vacuums would be replaced less often. Could these bags save money for a business?
*Are we aware of any environmental benefits? Polypropylene is a plastic, and plastic is produced from oil which is a non-renewable resource. Paper is technically renewable since trees can grow back within a 100 years. I doubt there are any environmental benefits, but would the high-volume HEPA bags result in less waste?
Can you think of anything else? I'd love to hear from personal experience and maybe we can come up with some answers. |
Post# 245900 , Reply# 2   8/15/2013 at 19:57 (3,878 days old) by thevacuumman (Borger, TX)   |   | |
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I've been running HEPA bags in my Riccar Vibrance and I have noticed that my brother's allergies have been calm and there hasn't been dust in the bag chamber. |
Post# 245904 , Reply# 4   8/15/2013 at 20:08 (3,878 days old) by vacman117 (Chicago, IL)   |   | |
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Post# 245908 , Reply# 6   8/15/2013 at 20:47 (3,878 days old) by Blackheart (North Dakota)   |   | |
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I am a big believer in the cloth bags i feel they filter better maintain airflow longer and in some cases can increase airflow.
I saw the biggest change in airflow with my Airway Vita-vac I'm not sure who made the bag it came with (brown paper) but i remember it pulling a 3-4 when it was clean after i put an air-tec poly bag in the reading was a 6 it also mainainted power better than that paper bag. I also loved the clear front on the bag so i could look into it |
Post# 245912 , Reply# 7   8/15/2013 at 21:45 (3,878 days old) by dysonman1 (the county)   |   | |
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HEPA bags are a huge leap forward in vacuum bag technology. Originally, the Air-Way 14 ply cellulose bag was the gold standard - for a over three decades. Paper disposable bags suffer from two set backs, high fine dust leakage and extremely quick 'clogging' of the pores. The vacuums of the 60's and 70's all had to use the standard single ply bag that clogged very quickly. Now that Hepa cloth bags are available, you can tell that almost no dust leaks through AND they clog very, very slowly. That means greater ability of the airflow to remove dirt. Tacony has Hepa cloth bags for the old Eureka F and G uprights, Electrolux type C, and Hoover type A & Y. They are Riccar and Simplicity branded, and are available in vac shops.
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Post# 245965 , Reply# 9   8/16/2013 at 12:10 (3,877 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)   |   | |
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Will there be any HEPA bags for Aerus/Electrolux uprights & Rennaissance, Epic 8000, Guardian & Guardian Platinum & Compact/TriStar? |
Post# 245973 , Reply# 10   8/16/2013 at 12:46 (3,877 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)   |   | |
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Post# 245978 , Reply# 11   8/16/2013 at 13:24 (3,877 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)   |   | |
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I recently bought a Bissell Zing because I needed a new canister vacuum fast and it can use Simplicity type Z bags. I used the Bissell with the bags Bissell included for a week or two (it included 3 bags plus one in the cleaner and we have 5 dogs so I'm constantly vacuuming) and I had to change the bag twice in that period of time. The bottom of the dust bag compartment got dusty in the middle of it very fast. I ordered a pack of Simplicity Z bags and received them the other day. I wiped out the bag compartment before putting in the new bag and I have used the Bissell multiple times since getting the bags. The dust bag compartment has yet to get dusty again and the vacuum has noticeably greater airflow. I do expect these bags to last longer in the machine than the paper bags did.
I have a Honeywell central vacuum at my dad's house (model 4B-H503) which can use bags or be used bagless. When I used it without a bag in it the airflow dropped very fast. Paper bags kept the airflow high longer but still lost airflow relatively fast. I bought Filtrete synthetic bags (definitely not HEPA, but cloth nonetheless) in mid June and I have yet to replace the first bag I put in the vacuum unit, and we have 2 cats and a bunny. |
Post# 245979 , Reply# 12   8/16/2013 at 13:25 (3,877 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)   |   | |
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Post# 245990 , Reply# 13   8/16/2013 at 14:09 (3,877 days old) by kenkart ()   |   | |
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I have used the perfect bags and find they are far superior to the 4 ply. |
Post# 246168 , Reply# 18   8/17/2013 at 05:34 (3,876 days old) by DaveTranter (Central England, U.K.)   |   | |
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Firstly - probably a 'dumb' question, but.... I assume 'HEPA' is an acronym, however I have no idea what it 'stands for'..... Secondly - Two of my 'vintage' machines have 'cloth bags'... Isn't it wonderful how fashions turn full-circle in the end??? ;) All best Dave T |
Post# 246172 , Reply# 19   8/17/2013 at 05:57 (3,876 days old) by madabouthoovers ()   |   | |
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Hepa stands for high efficiency particle arrest if I remember correctly. |
Post# 246290 , Reply# 20   8/17/2013 at 20:03 (3,876 days old) by TASE (Colorado)   |   | |
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I don't think HEPA bags are worth it as everytime I've received a HEPA bag in a Kirby I buy, it always ends up torn and spilled even if it's almost a brand new bag. I don't know if that's a Kirby thing or what but I rather spend money on my paper bags then be worried that the bag would be ripped. I'd like to buy the HEPA bags but I'm just afraid to after what I've seen.
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Post# 246291 , Reply# 21   8/17/2013 at 20:32 (3,876 days old) by Blackheart (North Dakota)   |   | |
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Post# 246301 , Reply# 22   8/17/2013 at 20:51 (3,876 days old) by myles_v (Fredericksburg, VA)   |   | |
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