One of the most important aspects of a healthy indoor environment is the absence of pollutants like dust, pollen, pet dander, odors, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Poor indoor air can trigger allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues, as well as headaches, fatigue, and overall discomfort. This is the best reason to have and actively use an air scrubber.
Air scrubbers are air filtration systems that actively “scrub” or clean indoor air by removing harmful particles, gases, and other contaminants. Also known as air purifiers or air cleaners, these devices are a powerful solution for creating healthier indoor environments in a variety of settings such as homes, offices, hospitals, schools, construction sites, and more.
This comprehensive guide will take you through everything you need to know about how air scrubbers work. We’ll explore the different types, their multi-stage filtration process, key features to look for, when to use them, and the numerous benefits of deploying an air scrubber. By the end, you’ll understand why these unassuming machines are indoor air quality heroes.
What Are Air Scrubbers?
At their core, air scrubbers are specialized air filtration devices designed to remove airborne contaminants from indoor spaces. While a typical HVAC system filter catches larger dust and particles, air scrubbers take cleaning to the next level with advanced multi-stage filtration.
Unlike passive air purifiers that simply filter air as it circulates, air scrubbers actively pull in dirty indoor air using one or more powerful fans and then vigorously “scrub” it clean of pollutants before exhausting fresh, purified air back into the room.
The multi-stage filters in an air scrubber are capable of capturing:
- Larger particles like dust, dander, and hair
- Microscopic particulates down to 0.3 microns in size
- Odors, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and other bioaerosols
Some advanced scrubbers even use UV light technology to destroy microorganisms like viruses and bacteria. This makes them invaluable for infection control in healthcare facilities, labs, and other sensitive environments.
While often portable and self-contained, larger whole-home air scrubbers can also integrate into central HVAC systems for comprehensive air cleaning throughout a building.
Benefits of Air Scrubbers
Air scrubbers offer several key benefits compared to standard air purifiers or HVAC systems alone:
- Remove up to 99.99% of 0.3-micron particles from the air
- Purify air up to 4 times per hour, much faster than air purifiers
- Help reduce allergy and respiratory symptoms
- Extend the life of HVAC systems by capturing more contaminants
- Disinfect surfaces like countertops and doorknobs along with the air
- More effective at removing odors, chemicals, and gases than air purifiers
Overall, air scrubbers provide a powerful and comprehensive solution for improving indoor air quality and creating a healthier living or work environment.
Types of Air Scrubbers
There are two main categories of air scrubbers designed for different applications.
Portable Air Scrubbers
These compact, self-contained units are incredibly versatile and can be easily moved room-to-room or job site-to-job site as needed. Portable scrubbers typically have caster wheels and a flexible exhaust hose to direct the purified airflow. They are ideal for:
- Smaller rooms and spaces (500-1000 sq ft coverage)
- Temporary use during renovations, remediation projects, or construction zones
- Supplementing whole-home systems in problem areas
- Contractors, restorers, and mobile crews
- With their ability to be deployed virtually anywhere, portable scrubbers provide air cleaning flexibility.
Whole-Home/HVAC Air Scrubbers
Rather than portable units, these air scrubbers integrate directly into a home or building’s HVAC system. This allows for comprehensive purification as air is filtered throughout the entire duct system and living space continuously. Whole-home scrubbers are optimal for:
- Continuously cleaning air in the entire house
- Homes with allergy/asthma sufferers who need constant filtration
- Long-term odor removal and VOC control
- Supplementing inadequate HVAC filters
The permanently installed configuration ensures thorough, continuous air cleaning for consistent indoor air quality.
Both portable and whole-home models utilize multi-stage filtration with HEPA filters to capture microscopic particulates and activated carbon filters for removing odors and gaseous pollutants. Let me know if you need any other details on the air scrubber types!
How Does an Air Scrubber Work?
While the specific components can vary between models, most air scrubbers work using the same basic multi-stage filtration principles. The core operating principle behind air scrubbers is the movement and filtration of air through a series of purifying stages.
The process begins with the air scrubber’s blower motor and fan creating negative air pressure. This powerful suction draws in the surrounding contaminated indoor air through vents or the intake port.
The incoming air first passes through a washable pre-filter designed to capture larger particles like dust, hair, and debris. This extends the lifespan of the subsequent primary filters.
Next, the pre-filtered air flows through the heart of the scrubber—the primary filter stage. Depending on the model, this could include a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter that captures 99.97% of microscopic airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger like pollen, smoke, pet dander, and microbes.
An activated carbon filter adsorbs odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fumes, and gaseous contaminants while a UV-C light uses ultraviolet germicidal radiation to destroy bacteria, viruses, and other bioaerosols.
The filters use different capture mechanisms like mesh barriers, electrical attraction, and activated carbon adsorption to remove these pollutants from the air stream.
Once the air has been “scrubbed” clean through the filter stages, the purified air is expelled from the scrubber via an exhaust vent or attached flexible hose. This creates air circulation as fresher, cleaner air replaces the formerly contaminated indoor air.
The air scrubber’s blower motor keeps this process running in a continuous cycle, drawing in more dirty air to be cleaned and expelling purified air in a constant flow. This cycle continues until the air quality reaches acceptable levels or the filters become saturated and require changing.
In addition to this core process, some advanced scrubbers incorporate supplemental technologies like negative ion generation, which releases charged ions that help bind particles for easier filtration. Photocatalytic oxidation has a UV light and a catalyst filter that breaks down organic pollutants, and electrostatic precipitation charges particles for better capture on plates.
High-quality air scrubbers use a combination of physical air filters, activated carbon adsorption, UV sterilization, and air circulation dynamics to effectively clean contaminated indoor air. This multi-stage filtration is the key to comprehensively remove particulates, odors, microbes, and gaseous toxins.
Key Features to Look For
With all the different air scrubber models on the market, it’s important to consider the following key features to ensure you get the right unit for your needs.
A CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) rating is tested by independent agencies like AHAM. It indicates how effectively a scrubber can filter specific pollutants from the air in a given time period. The higher the CADR, the faster air cleaning for that pollutant type is.
Coverage Area
Air scrubbers are rated for certain maximum room sizes they can effectively clean. This is usually measured in square footage. Match the unit’s specified coverage area to the square footage of the room or space you need purifying.
Filter Types and Quality
Bare minimum, you should look for a true HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. Additional filters like activated carbon, UV-C light, and pre-filters provide extra pollutant removal.
Multiple Fan Speeds
Adjustable fan speeds allow you to customize the airflow and noise level based on your cleaning needs. More speeds mean more versatility.
Portability and Noise Level
Consider if you need a portable air scrubber with wheels and handles for mobility, versus an installed unit. Also, check noise ratings if operating in occupied spaces.
If you’re ready to take control of your home environment, the air purification experts at Aurora Pro Services Heating, Air, Plumbing, Electrical, & Roofing are here to help. Our knowledgeable team can guide you through selecting the perfect air scrubber to meet your specific needs. We offer a full range of services besides air quality, such as heating and cooling, plumbing and electrical, and roofing. Contact us with any questions you may have about air filtration, for help with choosing an air scrubber, or to schedule an appointment for any of our services.
