• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Dust Smasher

Keep your home clean and free of indoor pollution

  • Indoor Pollution
  • Product Reviews
  • Cleaning Tips
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Air Scrubber vs UV Light: What is the Difference?
Air Scrubber vs UV Light: What is the Difference?

Air Scrubber vs UV Light: What is the Difference?

January 7, 2023 By Rachael Jones Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click through to sign up or make a purchase, then we receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
0 Shares

If you’re considering air purification methods for your home or office, two of the most popular types you should look into are air scrubbers and UV lights.

Both are effective ways to cleanse the air in your environment, but each has its unique pros and cons that you should consider.

In this blog post, we’ll help explain the differences between an air scrubber vs a UV light so that you can make an informed decision on which one may best suit your needs. Read on to learn more!

 

What are air scrubbers used for?

An air scrubber is essential in guaranteeing cleaner air in a closed space. These devices remove pollutants, harmful particles and potential allergens from the atmosphere, creating a healthier environment for everyone inside.

In addition to improving air quality by removing airborne contaminants, other uses for scrubbers include removing unpleasant odors such as those from pets, cooking or cigarette smoke.

Therefore, air scrubbers are not only helpful in purifying the environment, but they can also help enhance overall indoor air quality.

 

Read more >> Best HVAC Air Scrubber: Everything You Need to Know

 

How air scrubbers work

Air scrubbers work by drawing in contaminated air and then trapping, filtering, or neutralizing any pollutants that may be present. Air scrubbers utilize multiple stages of air filters to ensure that only clean air is released back into the environment.

 

Stage 1: Pre-filtering

The first stage of an air scrubber involves pre-filtering the incoming dirty air with a mechanical filter. This filter traps larger dust and dirt particles as they pass through it, similar to how a regular home vacuum cleaner removes large debris from carpets and floors.

Depending on the make and model of an air scrubber, this pre-filter can be composed of multiple layers for greater efficiency when catching different sizes of particles.

 

Stage 2: Activated Carbon Filtration

Once smaller particulates have passed through the initial filtration layer, activated carbon filters come into play to capture airborne gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Activated carbon has been infused with oxygen molecules which further increases its ability to trap toxins out of passing airflow due to its porous, spongy structure.

Using various adsorption techniques, such as absorption or binding reactions with surface molecules on activated carbon fibers, odorless airborne chemicals can be successfully removed before entering indoor spaces like homes or businesses.

 

Stage 3: HEPA Filter

The next stage utilizes even higher-grade filters known as High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestors (HEPA) filters. These contain tightly woven fibrous materials to capture microscopic particles like pollen or fine dust from circulation indoors.

 

Air scrubbers can be fitted to the ductwork already present as HVAC whole-house air scrubbers, or you can purchase portable air scrubbers to keep your home’s air clean.

 

 

Read more >> Does an Air Purifier Help With Radon?

 

UV light air purifiers

Ultraviolet light air purifiers have a special place in air purification due to their ability to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

The intense UV rays work to reduce the airborne pathogens that can cause sick building syndrome (SBS). By the use of UV light, these purified environments are created that are essential for protecting one’s health.

In addition to household use, UVC lights are also used in commercial properties such as hotels, restaurants and hospitals. Their placement near HVAC systems has become increasingly popular, particularly in present-day circumstances where the spread of viruses is concerning.

By radiating sterile Germicidal ultraviolet emission periodically into the air, it maintains pathogen levels below damaging concentrations.

 

Germicidal light

Germicidal UV lights are also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). They’re a form of technology used to control the spread of airborne microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses.

They work by emitting UV-C radiation, which can break down the DNA structure in germs, making them unable to reproduce or cause infection.

This type of light works in two ways:

1) direct exposure and

2) indirect exposure through reflection.

With direct exposure, the UV light strikes an object directly and may kill some microbes on contact. While with indirect exposure, reflected light from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces allows for more even coverage throughout a space.

This can be especially helpful when trying to disinfect larger areas like rooms or hallways.

 

Most effective germicidal UV lights

For germicidal UV lights to be effective, they must reach specific wavelengths between 200 to 280 nanometers. Specifically, 254 nanometers light waves are needed for killing many types of airborne bacteria and viruses effectively on contact or within seconds of exposure.

Additionally, these lights must be placed appropriately to reach all areas needed without obstacles blocking their path.

 

What are the benefits of using germicidal lights?

Overall germicidal UV lights are a potent tool in controlling infectious diseases due to their ability to neutralize microbes inside an enclosed area quickly and efficiently without using dangerous chemicals or extreme temperatures.

They’ve been used commercially since the 1940s but have become increasingly popular recently due to their effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2.

 

Read more >> The Best Way to Use UV Light to Kill Bed Bug Infestations

 

Combined air scrubber and UV light

You can improve the efficacy of air scrubbers by combining them with UV lights into one combo unit.

These UV lights naturally emit a particular type of light energy, which has the potency to neutralize airborne germs, viruses, and bacteria. As UV light travels through circulating air, it targets any microorganism present, quickly breaking them down into harmless atoms.

Incorporating this additional component enhances the overall functionalities that an air scrubber can produce—keeping us safe and healthy indoors.

 

 

Air Scrubber vs UV Light: What’s the best?

Both air scrubbers and UV lights are great for creating a healthier home environment. They’re both designed to reduce levels of airborne particles, may help with allergies, and can even reduce odors. But which one is the best option for you?

It really depends on your specific needs because each type has different benefits.

 

Benefits of air scrubbers

Air Scrubber technology uses a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to capture airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, including dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, smoke particles, and pollen – all of which can aggravate allergy symptoms.

Additionally, some models also use ActivePure® Technology to deactivate viruses and bacteria on surfaces in the room.

 

Benefits of UV lights

UV Lights work differently – they kill bacteria by breaking down their cell walls so they can no longer reproduce or cause harm.

It does this with an ultraviolet C (UV-C light) bulb, which transmits short UVC wavelengths into the air, destroying microorganisms such as fungi like mold and mildew.

Plus, it doesn’t rely on filters, so there are no ongoing replacement costs associated with using UV Light technology.

So when deciding between an Air Scrubber or UV Light system for your home, consider several factors:

  • What do you want to protect against – airborne allergens or surface germs?
  • Are there specific health concerns you have about yourself or your family members?
  • And finally, what type of maintenance would be most convenient for you?

Once you answer these questions, it should become easier to determine if an air scrubber or UV light system is the best option for your home environment.

 

Read more >> Humidifier vs Air Purifier: What is Better for Allergies?

 

Final thoughts

While both air scrubbers and UV lights have pros and cons, many people prefer to combine the two for the best results.

Using an air scrubber to remove particles from the air and a UV light to kill germs can create a clean and healthy environment for your family.

If you’re looking for the best way to improve indoor air quality, consider investing in an air scrubber and UV light combo unit.

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
0 Shares

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • What You Need to Know About Formaldehyde in Your Home
  • Best Carpet Cleaning Method for Allergies
  • Why Does My Carpet Smell After Cleaning?
  • Indoor Air Quality Guide: How to Measure Air Pollution at Home
  • Air Scrubber vs UV Light: What is the Difference?

About Author

Rachael Jones

Rachael Jones

Hi, I'm Rachael! I'm a freelance writer and blogger. After several years of working in Quality Control and Environmental Management, I now love to spend time researching indoor pollution and sharing ways to improve and automate cleaning to keep homes safe and free from harmful substances.

About Dust Smasher

Measuring Indoor Air Pollution

How to measure air pollution at home

Indoor Air Quality Guide: How to Measure Air Pollution at Home

When people hear the term air pollution, they often assume it relates solely to the air outside. However, as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies have shown, indoor air can often be more polluted than outside.

Footer

Learn More

  • Indoor Pollution
  • Product Reviews
  • Cleaning Tips
  • Resources

Pages

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure Policy

Dust Smasher

dustsmasher.com participates in various affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

Copyright ©2022 by dustsmasher.com
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT