As you shop around for an advanced air purifier, you may have heard the term air scrubber. What is an air scrubber? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- An air scrubber is typically an air purifier equipped with ultraviolet light.
- These scrubbers focus concentrated UV beams on air pollutants, killing germs, bacteria, and virus particles on contact.
- Air scrubbers generally use UV light as a primary method of purification, but can also include air filters and ionizers.
What is an Air Scrubber?
Technologies and methods of pollution reduction can vary from model to model. Generally speaking, if something is being advertised as an air scrubber, it is an air purifier that uses UV rays to help purify the air in your home. Air scrubbers are almost the same as purifiers and are also known for what air purifiers are good for.
Benefits of an Air Scrubber
There are a number of benefits you can expect by choosing an air scrubber to purify the air in your home. Here are some.
Insider Tip
Technologies and methods of pollution reduction can vary from model to model. Generally speaking, if something is being advertised as an air scrubber, it is an air purifier that uses UV rays to help purify the air in your home.
Elimination of Germs and Bacteria
Air purifiers that use ultraviolet light beams are fantastic at capturing and destroying germs, bacteria, and virus particles. Filter-based air purifiers, such as those equipped with HEPA filters, are typically capped out at a minimum particle size, whereas air scrubbers can destroy particles of any size. Air scrubbers can be a great option for eliminating dangerous viruses from your home, such as the notorious COVID-19 virus.
Kills Mold and Mildew
Air purifiers equipped with a true HEPA filter are good for mold and mildew, though they simply capture the particles and do not kill them. The same cannot be said for an air scrubber. A good air scrubber will capture and kill mold and mildew particles, eliminating any associated health risk. Additionally, these machines are quite effective at eliminating any mold-related odors at the source. As a matter of fact, mold remediation specialists often employ the use of air scrubbers as part of their professional services.
Reduces Odors
Air scrubbers tend to be a good choice for reducing or eliminating foul odors from the home. Count on them to reduce aromas related to pets, smoke, mold, food, and more. If you are serious about eliminating odors, try to run the air scrubber continuously for a few days. Alternatively, you’ll want to install a whole-house air purifier, the kind of air purifier that kills germs using an H13 HEPA filter.
Can Come With Additional Features
Though the term air scrubber is generally used to refer to an air purifier equipped with a UV light, this is not always the case. You can find many air scrubbers that do include a UV light but also come with all kinds of additional features to aid with air purification. These additional features can include multiple air filters of different types, including HEPA air filters and activated carbon air filters.
Keep in mind that cubic feet per minute (CFM) for air purifiers is crucial in determining how quickly air will flow from an air purifier to purify the intended space.
Insider Tip
Filter-based air purifiers, such as those equipped with HEPA filters, are typically capped out at a minimum particle size, whereas air scrubbers can destroy particles of any size.
F.A.Q.S
Can air scrubbers remove coronavirus particles?
Air scrubbers will kill coronavirus particles on contact, though they may not always be able to draw them into the UV light beam. The research is still ongoing.
Do air scrubbers work on mold?
Air scrubbers can certainly capture and kill mold particles, but the efficacy will depend largely on the size of the problem. If you are experiencing a mold outbreak, you may need to contact a professional remediator.
How many air scrubbers do I need?
This will depend on the size of your home and the level of contamination you are experiencing. You can move a single air scrubber from room to room, or you can purchase an air scrubber for each room of the home.
STAT: The EPA says that “Americans, on average, spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.” (source)
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Warning
Air purifiers equipped with a true HEPA filter are good for mold and mildew, though they simply capture the particles and do not kill them.
