When wildfire season arrives in the summer, it’s important to protect your home from the smoke. This is especially true when wildfire smoke causes the air quality to be rated purple. At this level, health officials recommend that everyone should remain indoors because of how unhealthy the air is.
If you’re going to be indoors, you should make your indoor air as healthy as possible. With a few simple changes, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can help you remove harmful particles from the air.
What Is an Air Scrubber?
An air scrubber can be attached to your HVAC system’s ductwork. Once it is in place, it can remove pet dander, dust, air pollution, and other contaminants from the air. It is a low-maintenance device, so you don’t have to do a lot of work to take care of it after it has been installed.
How Does an Air Scrubber Work?
Typically, an air scrubber uses a catalytic process and light waves to clean your home’s air. In typical air scrubbers, there is a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This filter is highly effective at removing particulate matter, including very fine particles. Because there are multiple layers, additional contaminants are removed as the air passes through each subsequent layer.
Often, a carbon filter is used as well. Carbon filters can remove odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which a variety of household items can emit. HEPA filters aren’t able to handle them, leading to manufacturers adopting this dual approach.
In general, there are two basic kinds of air scrubbers.
Wet Air Scrubber
A wet air scrubber uses damp pads and a water-based solution to trap contaminants. This type of air scrubber is ideal for industrial applications because dry filtration methods aren’t ideal for combustible, sticky, or explosive contaminants. Additionally, wet scrubbers are often used in animal facilities and wastewater treatment plants.
Dry Air Scrubber
Alternatively, you can get a dry air scrubber installed. These scrubbers use dry or mechanical filters instead of water-based solutions.
The Benefits of Using an Air Scrubber
No matter what type of air scrubber you decide to use, there are a few key benefits that air scrubbers provide.
Decrease Irritating Particles
If you’re prone to allergies, an air scrubber can help. These devices can reduce the allergens and other particles in the air, which can decrease allergy and asthma symptoms. This means you’re less likely to deal with itchy eyes, lack of sleep, and other allergy symptoms.
Eliminate Unpleasant Odors
Typical household air filters help remove particulates from your air, but their main purpose is to stop things from getting into the system. Plus, they aren’t able to catch the smallest types of particles, which include things like smoke and odors. Air scrubbers, however, can remove these from your home, leaving it smelling clean.
Improve Your HVAC System’s Longevity
Air scrubbers can trap dirt and other contaminants before they are able to get into your HVAC system. By doing this, they can support your HVAC system’s longevity and protect against unexpected breakdowns.
Lower Your Repair Costs
A corollary of the last benefit is that you’ll likely have lower repair costs. With fewer contaminants, the system doesn’t have to work as hard. Thanks to the reduced wear and tear, parts won’t break down as often.
What Type of Airborne Particles Are in Wildfire Smoke?
Wildfire smoke contains gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. It’s a blend of hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and nitrogen oxides.
While the air we breathe always contains particle pollution, combustion activities cause this level to go up. When a wildfire happens, particles are released from burning organic matter. This allows ammonium nitrate, soot, ammonium sulfate, sulfuric acid, and dust to be released into the air.
You generally can’t see the particulates in the air when they are at a low level. If the particulate concentrations increase enough, you can eventually see the particulates because they’ll look like smog or smoke in the air.
Even before you can see particulate matter in the air, your body can feel its presence. While wildfire smoke is often most dangerous for children, the elderly, and the ill, high levels can lead to physical symptoms in anyone who is exposed for long. The following symptoms can happen after wildfire exposure.
- Cough
- Scratchy throat
- Headaches
- Irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
Is an Air Scrubber Effective Against Wildfire Smoke?
Yes, air scrubbers can be effective. Because HEPA filters are able to catch the particulate matter of smoke, air scrubbers with them can remove the visible part of wildfire smoke. However, HEPA filters on their own won’t remove the gaseous pollutants (also considered VOCs). This means that even if you can’t see the smoke, it can still have an impact on your health.
Smoke is made up of miniscule particulates that are a byproduct of combustion. As a result, your air scrubber should also use carbon filters. If you have a scrubber that has both types of filtration, it can handle every element of wildfire smoke.
Will Air Scrubbers Work on Mold?
Yes! Air scrubbers remove particles even smaller than mold spores. In actuality, filtration systems that are less effective than air scrubbers can catch mold as well, but scrubbers are more thorough.
When Do You Need to Get an Air Scrubber Installed in Your Home?
If you’re trying to decide if an air scrubber is right for you, you can always talk to one of our HVAC technicians about your options. You may need an air scrubber if you notice unusual odors in your home. Additionally, getting an air scrubber could be useful if anyone in your household suffers from asthma attacks, respiratory diseases, or allergy symptoms.
How Is an Air Scrubber Installed?
Once you’ve decided to get an air scrubber, one of our HVAC technicians will come out to install it. The installation process depends on whether it is a whole-house air scrubber or a portable air scrubber.
A whole-house air scrubber is typically installed in your existing ductwork near your air handler. Your technician will cut a square hole so that the unit can be mounted inside. Then, they secure the scrubber safely. To make it run, the air scrubber’s power cord is connected directly to the HVAC system’s power source.
A portable air scrubber is incredibly easy to install; you just need to plug it in. While the installation process is straightforward, they aren’t as effective as whole-house air scrubbers.
Find Out More About the Advantages of Getting an Air Scrubber
Installing an air scrubber can protect your family’s lungs from wildfire smoke. Take your time deciding which type of air scrubber is right for your home. By scheduling a consultation with True Climate Heat + Air, you can learn more about the best air purification options for your HVAC system.
Whether you are looking for air conditioning repairs or a furnace replacement, True Climate Heat + Air can help. We also offer bathroom services, drain cleaning, repiping, and electrical services. To learn more about how we can help you upgrade your HVAC system, reach out to our team today.
