If Superman and Spiderman got into a fight, who would win? It’s an interesting question, but there’s no right answer, of course, because each is a force for good with different superpowers. The same can be said when comparing air cleaners to air purifiers. Purifiers target toxic particles including viruses and bacteria in the air and on hard surfaces, while air cleaners filter dust particles and other allergens from the air in your home.
Choosing the right whole-home air purifier or air cleaner for your home or business starts with identifying the problem you hope to address.
Air Cleaners
The primary purpose of air cleaners is to capture particles like dust, smoke, pollen and pet dander and remove them from circulation. Presto, your allergies are relieved!
Home air cleaners use filters that collect dust and other particles that pass through. Air cleaners do not sanitize hard surfaces in the home. Home air cleaners that use ionized filters are more efficient at reducing particles in the air than those with standard filters, and most air cleaning models are compatible with gas, oil, and electric forced-air furnaces and air-conditioning systems. An advantage of an air cleaner is that it removes dust from the air before it reaches the indoor furnace or air handler, and thereby reduces the maintenance of the HVAC unit itself. Air purifiers don’t serve that purpose. Ask us about the products we carry, such as Honeywell air cleaners and American Standard AccuClean.
Air Purifiers
For home and business owners primarily concerned with reducing pathogens including the virus that causes COVID-19, an air purifier is the ticket to a healthier environment.
Air purifiers come in two categories: active and passive. Passive purifiers work by pulling air through a filter, which removes airborne pathogens and odor-causing molecules. By contrast, active air purifiers produce and emit ions that go out through the supply air system, travel through the air and to surfaces throughout the house where they deactivate pathogens including bacteria and viruses and neutralize odor-causing molecules.
In addition to removing pathogens from the air and hard surfaces, active purifiers also help reduce allergens like dander in the air, using a different mechanism than air cleaners. The ions released by this type of air purifier cause particles suspended in the air to bond together and become too heavy to remain airborne. Rather than floating around and wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers, the bonded particles fall to the floor, where they can be vacuumed, swept or mopped away.
Fitch Services carries multiple models of air purifiers including the iWave purifier and the AirScrubber Plus. Keep reading to learn more.
The iWave
The iWave installs directly into your HVAC system, where it produces ions that help reduce viruses, bacteria and other airborne particles. According to the company’s performance data, tests demonstrate that iWave can help reduce SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Air Scrubber Plus
Like the iWave, the Air Scrubber Plus by Aerus also installs directly into your HVAC unit. It uses the patented ActivePure surface and air purification technology that creates and propels molecules into the air. According to data on the company’s website, the Air Scrubber reduces surface contaminants by 80 percent in two hours and by 99 percent in 24 hours. The company recently released new test results stating that its ActivePure technology eliminates 99.9 percent of airborne COVID-19 in under 60 seconds.
What’s the Best Choice For You?
As you compare air cleaners and air purifiers to improve the air quality in your home or business, keep the following in mind:
- Air cleaners filter allergens from the air and can reduce the cost of HVAC maintenance by protecting the unit.
- Air purifiers neutralize pathogens and odors and remove allergens from the air by causing airborne molecules to bond together and fall to the ground.
Charlottesville area residents can call Fitch Services at 434-296-9980 or use our Contact form to schedule an appointment with one of Fitch Services' licensed, bonded, and insured technicians. We can help you to compare air cleaners and air purifiers so that you can make the ideal choice for your home.
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See All ReviewsJulie D. (Charlottesville, VA)I can’t say enough good things!! We had an emergency, no AC during the 113+ heat wave on a Friday holiday afternoon (worst timing!!!). I called multiple companies and only Fitch called me back.
Larry was fantastic!! He kept me informed as to when he anticipated getting to us, and called when on his way, and showed up when he said he would.
He was, again, fantastic! Explained the issue and promptly fixed it. Our house was literally 98 degrees. Everything is running smoothly!
And, for an emergency call late on a Friday afternoon, the cost was incredibly reasonable.
I highly HIGHLY recommend their services. We now have them on speed dial and will absolutely be using them again for our needs, even for other services they offer we have yet to use.
Again, thank you Larry & Fitch Services from us and our pups - for being there when we needed you most and delivering exceptional customer service. 5 stars for sure!
Barbara M. (Charlottesville, VA)I am proud to say I have been a client of Fitch Services since they began. My family has always received courteous and timely service for plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and electrical issues. They have installed and maintain a whole house generator. That was a fantastic decision. I use their annual maintenance plans for all of my systems. I personally recommend Fitch Services.
John K. (Charlottesville, VA)I knew of Fitch Services and their technicians via my place of employment. The technician's honest and forthright approach to their work was very much appreciated... They were initially contacted to come to our residence to address a clogged kitchen sink drain line. It was suggested to us we replace the drain line instead of snaking it. When the old drain line was cut out and shown to me, it was amazing anything had gotten through that line! Glad we chose to replace it... We also inquired about replacing/updating all the galvanized supply lines in our home. The scope of the work needed and how it would be done was discussed to make sure we understood... We appreciated the honest assessment of how the project might or would go. While the technicians were on our project, they kept us updated with daily conversations towards the end of their working day. The finished project has been great! We were excited to finally have full flow of the hot water! Fitch is now our 'go to' plumber.
Tom P. (Charlottesville, VA)I've used Fitch for a few years now for both electrical and plumbing work. They are professional and do a great job on things both big and small. Twice we have had pretty huge jobs and they have come in under budget. Plus, the service technicians are friendly and work hard and the office staff communicates very well. Definitely recommend!
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