Call Us 
Indoor air quality is a concern for residential and commercial buildings. Increasing allergens and contaminants in the environment require indoor air quality solutions. Air scrubbers effectively remove airborne particles, pollutants, and odors. Black-Haak wants our Greenville, WI customers to understand how these devices work and the various types that can protect their homes by combatting indoor air pollution.
What Are Indoor Air Scrubbers?
Indoor air scrubbers are filtration devices that clean the air in enclosed spaces. They filter dust, other allergen particles, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds. Property owners use air scrubbers in various settings, including homes, hospitals, and industrial environments. Some devices work with the home or building’s HVAC system, ensuring safer indoor air quality.
Understanding How Air Scrubbers Work
Air scrubbers use a multi-faceted filtration process. Each stage ensures the efficient removal of air contaminants, starting with the largest and moving to the most minute at the end of the filtration process.
Air Intake
These devices begin by drawing in the untreated air from the building. A fan or blower helps draw the air into the system so that it can undergo the treatment process. Manufacturers measure the rate of air intake in cubic feet per minute. The average residential system offers 500 CFM. Depending on the model and system size, industrial rates can rise higher than 4500 CFM.
Pre-Filtering
The first filtration stage involves pre-filtering. The contaminated air passes through the pre-filter, which filters out larger particles first. These include pet dander, pollen, lint, dust, hair, and other visible contaminants. The pre-filters remove larger particles to help prolong the lifespan of subsequent filters in the system. Pre-filters have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating between one and eight. Higher values indicate better filtration rates of larger particles.
HEPA Filtering
Next, the pre-filtered air moves through high-efficiency particle air filters called HEPA filters. These filters can trap minute contaminants as tiny as 0.3 microns and have an efficiency rating of 99.97%. They can also trap mold spores, pollen, finer pet dander, and some bacteria and viruses.
Activated Carbon Filtering
Some air scrubbers contain activated carbon filters that follow the HEPA filter. These filters absorb odors and volatile organic compounds from paint, cosmetics, cleaning products, and other products and surfaces. VOCs can be harmful to your family’s health and can cause odors in your home.
UV Lights
Some air scrubbers also include UV light technology to combat viruses and bacteria by neutralizing them as they pass through. UV lights offer an additional line of defense to keep your family safe from indoor contaminants that can make you ill.
Filtered Air Release
After passing through the pre-filter, subsequent filters, and UV light therapy, the air scrubber releases the treated air back into the home or business. This filtration process makes indoor air less likely to cause respiratory distress in people of all ages.
Types of Air Scrubbers
Black-Haak wants to educate our customers on the air filtration options available to help remove contaminants from their indoor air. Several types of air scrubbers exist with differing processes and installations.
Portable Air Scrubbers
Portable air scrubbers are compact devices you can move from room to room. You may use them in homes, construction sites, and remodeling projects.
Portable filters are less effective than those installed on HVAC systems because they only treat one area at a time. These units typically offer HEPA and carbon-activated filters but lack advanced options like UV light technology.
HVAC-Integrated Air Scrubbers
Black-Haak recommends HVAC-integrated air scrubbers, which integrate with your existing HVAC, ventilation, and ductwork systems. They treat the air before it goes out of the vents and into your home, so you do not have to have separate units in each room. These systems are highly beneficial for larger spaces and can handle air-handling demands that portable units cannot.
Industrial Air Scrubbers
If you own a commercial building like a factory or manufacturing facility, your property will need an industrial air scrubber installation. These larger units offer heavy-duty applications designed specifically for industrial air cleaning. They handle a much higher air volume and can employ specialized filters tailored to the unique contaminants released in manufacturing.
Chemical Air Scrubbers
Chemical air scrubbers are also for industrial settings and can remove harmful gases and vapors from the air. They significantly reduce mold, gases, and odors from factories that produce acids or emit harmful chemical byproducts in manufacturing. These units are sometimes called gas scrubbers.
What Are the Advantages of Air Scrubbers?
Air scrubbers have far-reaching advantages in both residential and commercial settings. Many of our customers in Greenville and surrounding areas are surprised at the benefits they experience after air scrubber installation.
Allergen and Pathogen Protection
Air scrubbers can help reduce allergens and pathogens in the air whether you have a residential home or commercial healthcare corporation in Greenville. Inhaling these can trigger a variety of health issues. The elderly, small children and those with compromised immune systems are most vulnerable.
Filtering pathogens can significantly reduce the risks of spreading cold viruses, flu, and COVID-19 though it’s important to note that not all residential models have this filtering ability. It’s still essential to practice regular handwashing and surface disinfecting.
Enhanced Comfort
Reducing the dust and allergens inside your home can help your family breathe easier. There will be less sneezing, wheezing, and coughing. Family members will also complain less of itchy, watery eyes and skin discomfort. According to the National Institute of Health, indoor air pollution can impact acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Increased Productivity and Focus
Air scrubbers can help increase employee productivity and focus when used in businesses. When employees are not suffering from allergy symptoms, they are more likely to perform their jobs more effectively and experience higher job satisfaction.
Extended HVAC Lifespan
Installing an air scrubber can help protect your HVAC system, preventing costly breakdowns and extending lifespan. Cleaner air flowing through the system helps reduce wear and tear from dust and grime accumulation, ensuring your HVAC system works at peak performance. You may even notice reduced energy costs because of improved HVAC efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
Modern air scrubbers offer high energy efficiency, so you won’t have to worry about increased electricity bills. The EPA established energy conservation standards for air scrubbers. Testing revealed air scrubbers use less than 100 kilowatts of power annually, ensuring they meet the EPA standards. Look for the Energy Star label to ensure energy efficiency.
Founded in 1956, Black-Haak proudly offers our neighbors in Greenville the heating, cooling, electrical, indoor air quality, and plumbing services their homes and businesses need. We install, maintain, and repair all HVAC systems, including heat pumps and ductless mini-splits.
Our electrical department installs, maintains, and repairs electrical systems and provides generators, surge protection, and smart home automation services.
We also offer installation, maintenance, and repair for all plumbing components, including tankless water heaters and softeners.
Call our expert team at Black-Haak to learn more about Greenville air scrubbers.
