What do air scrubbers do

Just like an over or under-sized unit is a common air conditioner problem , using too many or too few air scrubbers can be disastrous. First, the system passes your air through a series of filters that neutralize contaminants and pathogens. Next, the system releases ionized oxidants that latch themselves onto contaminants throughout your home.

This method of filtration has become very popular as people become more conscious of indoor air quality and sanitation in general. If you live in the Phoenix, Arizona area and are interested in having one of these systems installed, feel free to give us a call at American Home Water and Air. An air scrubber pulls contaminants from the air in one of two ways depending on the type of unit. Portable industrial air scrubbers draw air in and pass it through a series of filters that trap contaminants.

Integrated air scrubbers do filter your air in a similar manner but they also release ions that attach themselves to harmful particles, neutralizing them. Many people are familiar with the air scrubbers used to remove dust and chemicals from construction sites. Integrated air scrubbers, on the other hand, are meant for everyday use as part of your HVAC system. They can help combat the notoriously bad air quality found in many parts of the United States.

Air purifiers target airborne particles while scrubbers are capable of attacking contaminants on surfaces as well. Air scrubbers can kill mold. Depending on how bad your mold issue is, however, you may want to take more rigorous measures.

Contact an HVAC professional for more information. Washington St. Scottsdale Road , Scottsdale, AZ Skip to content. Get a quote. What Are Air Scrubbers? Types of Air Scrubbers There are two main types of air scrubbers on the market. Portable Air Scrubbers Portable air scrubbers are most commonly used during renovations or other large-scale indoor projects that might spew a lot of contaminants into the air. Integrated Air Scrubbers Integrated air scrubbers are the kind that we install as part of our air conditioner service in Phoenix.

How Do Air Scrubbers Work? What Do Air Scrubbers Do? They can also serve functions as fume scrubbers for vapors from printing or nail salons, containment units, and many other applications. Where there becomes an overlap is in the area of light commercial air purifiers. Some of these products are also referred to as portable air scrubbers.

In this case an air scrubber is more like a room air cleaner and meant to clean the indoor air in a larger space. If they are used to remove smoke they are sometimes called smoke eaters.

A smoke eater may use a technology like ozone to zap a room of any unwanted odor. These commercial air scrubbing systems are more expensive than a typical home air purifier. They are also built more durably as they are designed for industrial use. In some cases an air scrubber can be rented to perform a specific job like mold remediation. In this case, the air scrubbers tend to be small with inexpensive filters to be affordable. If you need to remove fine airborne particles such as mold spores, dust, pollen, or particles in tobacco smoke then the air scrubber will need true HEPA filters or better.

Please note that while HEPA filters are best at removing particulate matter they do not remove odors. This means they can remove cigarette smoke particles but not the related gases and smells. Air filters are rated based on the MERV ratings scale. The challenge with a HEPA air scrubber is getting enough air flow through the bank of filters since high efficiency filters have more air flow resistance.

This resistance is also called pressure drop. To move enough air requires either a dedicated fan such as in a portable air purifier. Or a booster fan in the HVAC system. This is because HVAC or forced-air heating systems are not designed to move the air through a dense group of air filters. They are often designed to only remove the large particulate matter for the sake of protecting the HVAC system. They are often not designed for indoor air pollution control.

UV-C light can act as an air sanitizer to prevent standing water in air ducts from turning into mold. This is important in maintaining good indoor air quality. There are also concerns around Legionnaire's disease in large buildings. Meanwhile, scrubbers can get rid of minute living organisms such as bacteria.

Air scrubber systems also remove mold and odors. Spraying air fresheners adds chemicals and pollutants to the air. Scrubbers naturally freshen the air by removing pollutants. The charged ions that the scrubber system creates kills odor-causing bacteria that come from pets or spoiled food.

They also naturally combat any smells caused by cooking. Scrubbers are a great option for those with allergies or asthma as they get rid of most irritants from indoor air. When the air is freshened and lighter, people in the household will sleep better. Good health and wellbeing is another benefit of scrubber systems.

Air scrubbers also extend the lifespan of HVAC systems. Rather than storing air pollutants, scrubbers detonate them. This gives the HVAC system less work to do.

This helps to extend its useful life while saving energy. Installing a home air scrubber could help to reduce your electricity bills as well as HVAC maintenance costs. Particulates include items such as dirt, pollen, chemicals and pet dander.

VOCs include odor, vapor, and smoke. Microscopic living organisms include bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew. Air scrubbers have been shown to get rid of pollutants like dirt, dust, bacteria, and mold leading to fresh-smelling air, fewer diseases and fewer allergies. Overall, using a scrubber will create a healthier environment and reduce the likelihood of getting sick from viruses.

The final amount that you would pay would depend on the size of your home and the complexity of your HVAC system. However, add up the costs of not having air scrubber and you may end up deciding to get the installation done.