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What Is an Air Scrubber?

woman blowing her nose

As air quality has become a major concern in today’s world, many homeowners are now exploring the benefits of air scrubbers. What exactly is an air scrubber and how does it work? Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, will dive into the details of what an air scrubber is, how it works, and how it can benefit your home.

How Does an Air Scrubber Work?

An air scrubber is a device that is designed to purify the air inside a building or a home. It is attached to the ductwork of your HVAC system. It removes pollution, surface and airborne contaminants, dust, dander, odor, and even viruses from your home’s air through various filters and purification processes.

The way an air scrubber works is quite impressive. This indoor air quality device uses a sophisticated combination of technologies, including advanced filtration, oxidation, and UV light to purify the air, depending on the model.

The process begins when the air scrubber draws air from your home into its system. This air then passes through a series of filters, which trap and remove various airborne contaminants. These can include dust, pet dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and even certain bacteria and viruses.

Some air scrubbers also incorporate advanced technologies such as photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). In a PCO photocatalytic purifier, UV light reacts with a catalyst to produce ions that can neutralize harmful pollutants.

In addition to filtering the air, some air scrubbers also produce charged ions. These ions are released into your home’s contaminated air where they can neutralize odor-causing bacteria and other pollutants. This air scrubber technology works to freshen the air and further reduce contaminants.

The purified air is then recirculated back into your home, resulting in cleaner, healthier indoor air. By continuously cycling and cleaning the air, an air scrubber can significantly improve indoor air quality throughout your entire home.

Would an Air Scrubber Be Effective in My Home or Business?

An air scrubber is effective in various scenarios. It’s important to note that the effectiveness of an air scrubber for improving indoor air quality can vary based on factors like the size of your home, the specific model of the scrubber, and how frequently it’s used. However, when used correctly, an air scrubber can be a powerful tool for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

An air scrubber is incredibly effective in removing allergens from the air. Throughout the course of the day, we open our houses to many harmful airborne particles that can linger in the air or on surfaces within our homes and workplaces. Mold, dust, pollen, and other pollutants irritate the sinuses and lead to extreme discomfort. Those who suffer from allergies often know the struggle of being constantly congested, sneezing, and experiencing other uncomfortable symptoms during allergy season. An air scrubber can help remove indoor air pollution and create a comfortable and safe environment for yourself, your family, and your guests.

Secondly, it is highly effective in eliminating odors in the air. Cooking odors from the kitchen, pet odors, cigarette smoke, paint fumes, and other chemical odors can make a home or workplace uncomfortable and hazardous. An air scrubber can remove those odors, improving the quality of air indoors.

Thirdly, air scrubbers are also effective in reducing the spread of viruses and germs. According to NASA testing, certain air scrubber products were found to be highly effective in eliminating airborne viruses. An air scrubber differs from an air purifier because an air purifier is only designed to remove airborne contaminants from the air, whereas an air scrubber can also remove particulate matter from surfaces. This can be especially helpful in keeping your home clean and stopping the spread of colds and viruses.

Installing an air scrubber also helps keep your existing HVAC system running at peak efficiency and cleanliness. With various debris and airborne particles, there is a possibility and risk of entrance into your system before reaching the filter. This could potentially damage your blower or coils and force you to buy a new system or make expensive repairs. An air scrubber helps to minimize the circulation of air pollutants making your system run efficiently and safely for years to come.

If you’re someone who suffers from allergies or wants to live in a healthier and more comfortable environment, investing in an air scrubber is an excellent choice. The device’s effectiveness in removing harmful airborne particles in the air is exceptional, making it a worthwhile investment.

Is an Air Scrubber Effective Against COVID-19?

Studies have revealed that air scrubbers are indeed effective in eliminating airborne viruses, including COVID-19. As COVID-19 is still an ongoing risk, installing an air scrubber helps home and business owners maintain safe indoor spaces that are free of viral particles that may cause airborne diseases. However, it’s important to note that while air scrubbers can support a cleaner environment, they should not replace other recommended measures to prevent virus spread like social distancing, masking, and regular hand hygiene.

Air Scrubber Installation for Your Home or Business

An air scrubber brings a wide variety of exceptional benefits to help you, your family, and your workers stay comfortable, remain healthy, and save money. Contact Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today to learn more about having an air scrubber installed in your Kansas City area home or business.