Do air scrubbers really work to clean the air?

Did you know that indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air by up to 2 to 5 times, and sometimes up to over 100 times? This shocking statistic highlights the hidden dangers lurking in the indoor air in our homes and workplaces.

The demand for effective air quality solutions has risen with growing awareness about the potential of harmful particles, allergens, and mold spores in indoor air. Many people rely on air purifiers to combat the problem.

However, there is a more powerful solution to the problem of poor indoor air quality – air scrubbers. Read on to learn more about air scrubbers and their effectiveness in cleaning indoor air.

What is an Air Scrubber?

While the name might sound strange, air scrubbers are serious devices that effectively improve indoor air quality. Think of them as the heavy-duty cousins of air purifiers. Both serve the same function, removing air pollutants from the air, but air scrubbers go the extra mile.

Air purifiers mostly rely on filters to trap particles as air passes through. Air scrubbers use a multi-prong approach to purify air, including advanced filtration (similar to the one on a HEPA air filter), ionization, or UV technology to trap and neutralize contaminants in the air.

In other words, air scrubbers do not just trap pollutants, they actively seek to destroy them. That is to say, they can combat mold spores, viruses, odors, and even volatile organic compounds.

How Do Air Scrubbers Work?

So how exactly do air scrubbers clean the air? Here’s a general step-by-step guide:

1. Intake: Using a powerful fan, the air scrubber draws in contaminated air from the room.
2. Pre-filter: A basic filter traps large pollutants like dust and pet hair to protect the more delicate advanced filters.
3. HEPA filter: This advanced filter is the heart of most air scrubbers. It is a fine filter that traps microscopic pollutants, as small as 3 microns wide, including mold spores, allergens, and some viruses and bacteria. Check out our store for quality HEPA air scrubbers.
4. Neutralization: Some air scrubbers have an extra layer of defense to neutralize pollutants through:

• Ionization: Releases charged particles that attach to contaminants, clumping them and making them easier to filter.
• UV light: It can disrupt the DNA composition of microorganisms like viruses and bacteria, making them harmless.
• Activated carbon filter: Absorbs odors and harmful chemicals.

5. Clean air release: The cleansed, purified air is released back into the room, and the cycle continues, improving the quality of the air you breathe.

Not all air scrubbers have the extra layer of defense to neutralize contaminants, and some do not have a HEPA filter. It is important to understand the specific features an air scrubber offers and whether they address your needs. At the very least, insist you want HEPA air scrubbers.

The Benefits of Using Air Scrubbers

Cleaner air isn’t just about comfort, it’s also about your health and well-being. Here are the benefits air scrubbers offer to your indoor environment.

• Breathe easier

If you often sneeze, cough, or suffer from itchy eyes when indoors, an air scrubber could bring you relief. By removing triggers like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, air scrubbers reduce allergy and asthma symptoms.

• Defense against mold

Air scrubbers, especially those designed for mold remediation, get rid of mold spores in your indoor environment. An air scrubber for mold does not just trap mold spores, it has technologies to neutralize them, preventing the spores from settling on surfaces and growing.

• Healthier environment

Some air scrubbers, specifically those with ionization and UV light technologies, can reduce the presence of harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses in your indoor environment.

• Air freshness

Some air scrubbers help with odors. Get yourself an air scrubber with an activated carbon filter and say goodbye to pet odors, lingering cooking smells, and the musty smell of mold and mildew. The activated carbon filter also absorbs volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by some paints and cleaning products.

Air Scrubber Vs Air Purifier: Which is Right for Me?

Choosing between an air scrubber and an air purifier isn't always a simple decision.  Both have their strengths, so let's break down when one might be a better fit than the other.

Air purifiers are great for improving general air quality, especially combating allergens and dust in smaller to medium-sized rooms. They are often more affordable and easier to move around.

Air scrubbers are more powerful and the best option for the following situations:

• Larger spaces: Air scrubbers typically have more powerful fans, which allows them to effectively clean the air in larger rooms or open-plan areas.
• Severe issues: If you are dealing with mold, persistent odors, or heavy chemical fumes (like in a workshop), an air scrubber's multi-stage cleaning process is often the better choice.
• Higher health sensitivity: If you suffer from severe allergies, or asthma, or have a compromised immune system, the more advanced filtration and sanitizing power of some air scrubbers can offer greater peace of mind.

Choosing the Right Air Scrubber

With so many options, finding the perfect air scrubber can feel overwhelming.  Here are some key factors to focus on:

1. Size: Air scrubbers are rated according to their airflow capacity, which is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The air scrubber you choose should have a CFM rating adequate for the square footage of your space or room.

2. Your needs: The air scrubber you choose should address your specific needs. Features to consider include:

• Advanced filtration: For maximum particle removal, look for HEPA filters, especially those rated HEPA 13 or above. Our HEPA 550 Air Scrubber is an excellent choice for top-tier filtration.
• Mold remediation: Specialized air scrubbers for mold problems often include features like UV light or enhanced carbon filtration.
• Smart features: Some modern air scrubbers have features like air quality monitoring and remote control for extra convenience.

Conclusion

Air scrubbers offer a powerful defense against the hidden dangers in the air we breathe. They can trap allergens, neutralize mold, reduce odors, and fight some airborne bacteria and viruses.

If you are ready to improve your indoor air quality, Abestorm has a wide range of air scrubbers to suit your needs. Visit our store and discover the difference cleaner air can make in your home or workplace. Breathe easier, and live healthier.