Whole-home air purifiers are becoming increasingly popular for improving indoor air quality. When used strategically, they help create healthier living spaces. They do this by reducing dust, pet dander and allergens. Many homeowners use them to achieve better respiratory health and quality sleep.
What Is an Air Scrubber?
An air scrubber connects to your heating and cooling systems to deliver whole-home air purification. The scrubber draws in air and filters and destroys dust, bacteria, mold and fungi before releasing the clean air back into the home. Many scrubbers also target volatile organic compounds and unpleasant odors from cooking fumes. In doing so, they create cleaner, safer and more pleasant living spaces.
If your home uses ductless HVAC, a whole-home air scrubber won’t be feasible. However, this doesn’t mean you are out of options. There are portable air scrubbers that you can move from room to room, and these are effective for cleaning air in smaller spaces or areas that your whole-house system can’t reach.
How Many Square Feet Does an Air Scrubber Cover?
Most whole-home air scrubbers provide coverage for up to 3,000 square feet. This coverage is sufficient to ensure clean, filtered air throughout the entire living space of most average-sized houses. For homes that have more than 3,000 square feet of living space, you have several setup options to choose from. You can target specific areas of the home with a single whole-home air scrubber, making sure to focus on the areas that need the most air purification. These areas often include high-traffic spaces like the kitchen, living room, hallways and entryways. You also have the option to install multiple whole-home air scrubbers or a more robust unit that is capable of covering more rooms and a larger total square footage. This is especially ideal in homes that are over 5,500 square feet. Homes of this size often have two or more HVAC units. Connecting a whole-home air scrubber to each system will provide effective air purification across the entire home at all times. You can also pair a system attached to your HVAC unit with a portable air purifier to clean the air in rooms that the HVAC-based system won’t reach. This is a good way to supplement with multiple systems and get a whole-home option that works for your particular square footage and home layout. We sell and install whole-house air purifiers and portable models as well, giving you all the options you need no matter your situation.
How Much Electricity Does an Air Scrubber Use?
Air scrubbers, like any electrical device, use electricity. Some versions consume so much energy that they cause significant and notable increases in monthly energy costs. With careful selection, you can choose a scrubber that uses only about 18 watts of electricity. This low energy consumption not only saves money but also makes your home more eco-friendly. With an air scrubber like this, you can enjoy cleaner air without worrying about higher bills or hurting the environment.
Do Air Scrubbers Use NASA Technology?
Yes, some air scrubbers use ActivePure, a patented technology originally developed in cooperation with NASA. The initial purpose of this technology was to create safer atmospheres in space for astronauts on the International Space Station. This tech works by using advanced methods of air purification, breaking down contaminants at the molecular level. Using an air scrubber with ActivePure technology is particularly helpful if you have allergies or asthma. The molecular-level destruction of allergens, bacteria and viruses gets rid of triggers that cause symptoms like coughing, wheezing and sneezing.
Can an Air Scrubber Help With Pet Dander and Odors?
Yes, air scrubbers are very useful in homes with pets. Their ability to get rid of pet dander is especially helpful for reducing allergens. Pet dander, fur and saliva can all contribute to a home that has unpleasant odors resembling wet dogs or other musky smells. An air scrubber captures particles in the air from these elements, helping the home smell better. Another way air scrubbers help with pets is by getting rid of pet hair before it settles into furniture, carpets and other fabrics. Moreover, the scrubber keeps pet hair from settling into air ducts, which improves heating and cooling throughout the home.
How Does an Air Scrubber Help the HVAC Perform Better?
Air scrubbers do much more than keep pet dander from settling into air ducts. They also keep dust, pollen, bacteria and mold spores from accumulating on the coils and filters. This helps the heating and cooling systems operate with less friction and resistance, meaning they use less energy. The less energy they use, the less wear and tear they experience. You’ll enjoy lower HVAC expenses as a result, in addition to cleaner air that’s healthier to breathe because of the enhanced airflow.
Can an Air Scrubber Help Get Rid of Viruses?
You may not realize it, but there are more than 1,000 viruses that commonly make their way into people’s homes. These viruses can be detrimental to your health, especially if you suffer from respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems. Children and the elderly are often more prone to viruses than young adults and middle-aged individuals.
With an air scrubber, you can take comfort in knowing the whole home has purified air. ActivePure air scrubbers can kill 99% of surface and airborne pollutants, including bacteria and viruses.
Can an Air Scrubber Help Save Money?
Using a whole-home air scrubber can save you money in several ways. For starters, the improved airflow throughout the heating and cooling systems will result in lower energy bills. It’ll also prolong the lifespan of the HVAC, meaning you’ll spend less money on replacement parts. Fewer repairs and breakdowns will save money on repair costs. Plus, because you’ll be breathing cleaner air, you’re less likely to catch viruses or get sick. This translates into less money spent on medical expenses.
What Type of Maintenance Does an Air Scrubber Need?
Air scrubbers don’t need a ton of maintenance, but they do require regular care and upkeep. One of the most important parts of maintenance is changing the filter every three to six months. However, you should check the filter once a month to ensure you know when to change it. Any time a filter clogs, it hurts the scrubber’s ability to clean the air. It also makes the system use more energy, which increases energy costs and causes unnecessary wear on the motor and fan. Both of these parts can be expensive to replace. Other parts of maintenance include cleaning the air scrubber’s interior and checking the seals for leaks. It’s best to let a professional perform these tasks once a year. If you attempt to do them yourself, you risk damaging the unit or voiding its warranty. If you take care of your air scrubber and schedule regular maintenance with a professional, it will likely last 5-10 years.
True Climate Heat + Air is an industry leader in air purification with air scrubbers. We offer whole-home options as well as portable models to drastically improve your indoor air quality. We also provide AC maintenance, mini-split installations, furnace replacements, commercial HVAC, plumbing services and more.
Call True Climate Heat + Air today for more information about any of our services or to book a whole-home air scrubber installation for your house in Oklahoma City, OK.