The air inside your home can contain many harmful pollutants that are invisible to the naked eye, including dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and more. If you’d like to keep these irritants out of your house or office space, then an air purifier or scrubber may be right for you. This article will give a brief overview of each device, but the best way to know which is right for you is by reaching out to a professional with your space’s specifications. Let’s dive in!
Air Purifiers
An air purifier is designed to remove particles from the air. They come in two types: HEPA filters and non-HEPA filters. HEPA stands for “High-Efficiency Particulate Air” filters. These are designed to remove 99% or more particles from the space they are being used in, including dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores. They have a filter that will need to be replaced every so often and should only be cleaned when the machine tells you to clean it. When choosing an air purifier, it’s important to consider the size of your space – not all purifiers are made for large areas!
Air Scrubbers
An air scrubber is designed to remove pollutants from the air that you can see – odors! It does this by using chemicals that bind themselves to molecules in the odor-causing agents and then creating new compounds with no smell. These chemicals will need to be replaced regularly, and the machine should always be kept away from open flame or other heat sources, as they can cause dangerous fumes to get released back into your space. When choosing an air scrubber, it’s important to take into account what smells you want to be covered up – this device is not selective about what odors it takes care of! It’ll cover up anything with a molecule that the chemicals can bond with.
These two devices are great for cleaning spaces but have some key differences that make them suited for different applications. If you’re wondering whether an air purifier or scrubber would suit your needs best, reach out to an expert at Austin AC. They can do a free on-site estimate and give you the best recommendation for your space!
How are Air Purifiers and Air Scrubbers Similar?
While there are some differences between these two tools, similarities should be discussed to ensure that you fully understand the differences.
Both devices work by cleaning particles from the air – whether it’s allergens, odors, or otherwise.
Both devices then filter out the particles through HEPA filters or chemical scrubbers respectively.
There are several benefits that come with both of these tools: Removes pollutants and other irritants from the air in your space so you can breathe easy
It helps reduce allergy symptoms
Like any good appliance, they help lower energy costs
Air Purifiers vs. Air Scrubbers: Learn the Differences
Now that you understand the similarities between air purifiers and scrubbers, let’s talk about the main differences between these two systems.
Both devices are great for cleaning the air in spaces, but there are some key differences which means that deciding between an air purifier and scrubber will come down to your space’s needs. Here are the main differences between the two tools:
Purifies vs. Scrubs
When it comes to how they clean, these devices couldn’t be more different. An air purifier only removes particles from the air using a HEPA filter, while an air scrubber removes odor molecules with chemical compounds that don’t smell at all!
Scope of Application
Another difference between these two treatments is their scope of application – while both can treat large or small spaces, an air purifier is not nearly as useful for removing odors. On the other hand, an air scrubber can’t do anything for particles in the air, so you’ll need an air purifier if that’s important to you.
Energy Usage
Finally, both devices use different amounts of energy. Neither one uses exceptionally high energy levels, but this difference is something worth taking into account! Air purifiers require no energy to clean the space, but they do require some to power their HEPA filters while air scrubbers produce fumes that are released back into the space, so they should be used with caution near open flames or heat sources.
Both applications have great benefits, but which one suits your needs will come down to what you want to get out of the device.
The Benefits of Choosing an Air Purifier
An air purifier is best suited for those who want to rid their space of pollutants and particles without worrying about adding chemicals back into the space. Air purifiers work by using a HEPA filter to remove contaminants from the air in your space. This type of air treatment is excellent for those who have indoor allergies because it can reduce allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and mold spores.
The Benefits of Choosing an Air Scrubber
On the other hand, if you’re looking to get a scrubber, you should know a few things before you do so! First off, these devices use chemical compounds that selectively bind with odor molecules – they only capture the specific contaminants you define during setup. This benefit is that these devices don’t add anything to the air. Instead, they simply remove odors from it. This type of system is best suited for those looking to get rid of pungent smells in their space, such as cigarette smoke or cooking odors.
What Should You Know Before Buying an Air Purifier?
An air purifier will be a great tool if you’re looking to reduce some allergens in your space but do know that you’ll need another device if you want to deal with odors. Before investing in a HEPA filter-based device, consider its power consumption. While these devices are great for indoor spaces, their large energy usage can quickly rack up your monthly bill! Finally, take note that most air purifiers filter the air in a room, so you’ll need to invest in more than one if you have multiple rooms.
What Should You Know Before Buying an Air Scrubber?
An air scrubber is great for dealing with odors and cigarette smoke but keeps in mind that it won’t work on particles – this means that you’ll still need an air purifier. Additionally, consider what chemical compounds these devices use to deal with odors because some can be dangerous when mixed with certain materials such as wood, latex paint, or formaldehyde. Also, look out for extremely high energy usage when using these devices because while they don’t add anything back into the space after they remove contaminants, there’s still a small amount of energy used to power the fan on these devices.
Choosing the Right Air Treatment for Your Space
Both air purifiers and scrubbers are great tools to use in your home or office, but which one you choose will come down to what you need to get out of it. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, look into getting an air purifier. If you want to deal with odors while still reducing particles in the space, get an air scrubber. Finally, before making that choice do some research on energy usage levels because both devices can impact your monthly bill!
Air purifiers and scrubbers each have their own benefits when it comes to treating indoor spaces but knowing exactly how they work – and what they treat – is key to choosing the right one for your space. If you’re looking to rid your indoor space of particles or odors without adding anything into the air, take a look at an air purifier. If you want an all-in-one solution that deals with pungent smells in addition to contaminants, take a look at an air scrubber.
Still not sure which device is best for you? Contact us today! We’ll be able to help you figure out exactly what type of device will work best for your specific application.