With the changing seasons, springtime in Farmington Hills, MI, means fluctuating temperatures and blooming flowers and trees. You might also take this time to do some spring cleaning. From decluttering attics and bedrooms to scrubbing bathrooms and floors, you’ll likely kick up some dust, which can affect your indoor air quality.
Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Matters
All this activity in spring can mean increases in outdoor and indoor air pollution. When pollen ramps up outside and you attempt to escape indoors, you might just be faced with an even more polluted environment. Studies have shown that indoor air is often five to seven times more polluted than outdoor air.
Because homes are so well insulated, pollen, pet dander, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from chemical cleaners, and other pollutants can get trapped inside, recirculating and wreaking havoc on your respiratory system. Poor indoor air quality can cause detrimental health effects, from allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, congestion, and scratchy throats to long-term diseases like heart conditions.
What can be done to reverse poor indoor air quality?
Ensuring your home is outfitted with the right IAQ solutions, like air purifiers and air scrubbers, can help to combat poor air quality inside. However, you might feel overwhelmed by choice with all the IAQ products on the market. Take control of your home’s air quality with help from AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical. We offer IAQ solutions like air scrubbers and air cleaners that can help you and your family breathe easier.
We’ll help you decide between options to ensure your home’s air is well-protected. Find out more about what an air scrubber is and how installing one could benefit your home.
Air Scrubbers Explained
An air scrubber is a device that attaches to your HVAC system via the ductwork to remove pollutants, odors, viruses, pet dander, dust, and more. Some models can even remove contaminants on the surfaces inside your home.
How does an air scrubber work?
Air that is circulated through your ductwork is passed through the air scrubber, where it is decontaminated through a series of High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. Some advanced models of air scrubbers use UV lights to neutralize airborne viruses and mold spores as well as release negatively charged ions to, in effect, clean the air of pollutants and bad odors.
When might I need an air scrubber?
You might need to consider installing an air scrubber in your HVAC system if you’re dealing with significant dust in your home, mold and mildew, poor odor control, contamination from pollen, dander, and VOCs that are negatively affecting your respiratory system, or if you live in an area that is prone to airborne pollutants, such as smoke, dust, and certain chemicals.
Air Scrubber Benefits
Installing an air scrubber in your home can improve odor control, making your home more enjoyable to live in. Also, an air scrubber will reduce the amount of pollen and VOCs in the air, improving respiratory health indoors, helping family members with health issues like asthma, COPD, and others. Last, an air scrubber may even extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, as certain models may eliminate biofilm and microorganism growth in evaporator coils and condensate pans with the use of UV lights.
Can air scrubbers remove bad odors?
Yes! Air scrubbers can improve the smell of your home, removing unsettling odors from cooking, cleaning, pets, and more. How does it do this? Some models of air scrubbers may use activated charcoal filters to trap odors, and others might use UV lights, ionization, or oxidizing molecules to trap and eliminate odors.
How effective are air scrubbers really?
While no IAQ solution is 100% effective all the time, some models of air scrubbers have been proven to eliminate 90% of airborne contaminants as well as 99% of surface contaminants. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial to ensure the air scrubber continues to work effectively. Working with a qualified HVAC professional will ensure that your air scrubber is installed correctly and provides your home with purified air.
Air Scrubber Upkeep and Maintenance
Like all appliances, air scrubbers need regular maintenance in order to stay in good working order. You might notice it’s time to perform maintenance on your air scrubber if you see that it isn’t working effectively anymore. Signs it’s time for maintenance include dust accumulation, persistent odors, increased allergy symptoms, and more.
- Changing HEPA filters regularly
- Inspecting the prefilter
- Fan blade inspection
- UV light replacement
- Exterior cleaning to prevent dust buildup
Picking the Right Indoor Air Quality Solution
You might wonder whether an air scrubber is the best choice for your home’s indoor air quality needs. There are numerous factors to consider when deciding on an IAQ solution. For example, determining your budget, the types of pollutants you need to filter, and the size of your home are all factors. If you live in a smaller home or townhouse, perhaps you should consider a whole-home air purifier, rather than an air scrubber.
How is an air scrubber different from an air purifier?
Although sometimes used interchangeably, a whole-home air purifier and an air scrubber are two different IAQ solutions that homeowners can choose from. Both are installed in your home’s HVAC system to treat the air that circulates inside. However, an air purifier filters airborne pollutants and traps large particles, such as dust, dander, pollen, and other VOCs, depending on the micron size and type of filter. Air scrubbers, as detailed above, attack airborne pollutants and act as air cleaners, scrubbing microorganisms and germs from the air and some surfaces.
Is an air scrubber a good, economical choice?
While some homeowners experience sticker shock when discussing the price of an air scrubber to help combat poor indoor air quality, the benefits greatly outweigh the initial financial investment. As mentioned above, an air scrubber provides odor control and pollutant elimination from your home’s air, and it also acts as a guardian against germs for indoor surfaces.
You might be considering a standalone air purifier or cleaner. While these are helpful in some cases, they only eliminate airborne allergens in one room of your house. Opting for a whole-home indoor air quality solution provides comprehensive protection that is out of sight and backed by professional installation and maintenance.
Not only that, but investing in an air scrubber helps to prolong the life of your HVAC system, eliminating microorganism growth on evaporator coils and clogs in your drain line. This means a more efficient heating and cooling system in your home and fewer repairs.
If the price of a new air scrubber is making you anxious, ask a technician from our team how we can help. AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical provides financing on approved credit and has specials and discounts that you might be eligible for.
Breathe Easier with Help from the Pros at AJ Danboise Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical
We hope you have a better understanding of how air scrubbers work to eliminate pollutants inside your home. Investing in your indoor air quality is essential for protecting your family’s health and the lifespan of your home comfort system. Learn more about protecting your HVAC system through our Always Here maintenance plan.
Ready to get the ball rolling on your next IAQ solution? Call our team of technicians today with all your questions and concerns, and we’ll be happy to help!
