How Long Do Air Scrubbers Last? [Cost To Replace an Air Scrubber]

Air scrubbers represent the ultimate solution to having a clean and healthy indoor home, especially when all else fails. Using filters and negative ions, air scrubbers are effective at removing all unwanted particles, dust, mildew, gases and other contaminants in the air.

A good air scrubber ensures your home becomes more comfortable for breathing and living. Another good point to consider about air scrubbers is their ability to clean the entire house because they are often attached to the home’s HVAC ductwork.

But there’s nothing worse than having a good thing that won’t last. So, you may ask, “how long do air scrubbers last?”. If you’re reading this, you’re in luck as we have come up with the answer you need, as well as how to make your air scrubber last longer.

How Long Do Air Scrubbers Last?

Top manufacturers and leading brands put a lot of work into their products. Such quality products will last for 5 to 10 years. It is not strange to find inferior brands that won’t last 5 years or some superior brands that may exceed 10 years.

The secret is to look out for quality and maintain your air scrubber adequately. A good way to identify how long a certain air scrubber will last is to look out for its warranty coverage. This expresses how much confidence the manufacturer has in their product.

Also, with a manufacturer’s warranty, you can be sure to get free repairs or replacement if, and when, the product fails within the warranty period. It is also important to note that air scrubbers are equipped with filters.

And while the air scrubber itself can last 5 years or more, you’d need to pay attention to its filters. Some may have two or three filters and these components have a shorter lifespan.

Unfortunately, only the pre-filter of an air scrubber can be washed, but you’ll need to replace the HEPA and/or charcoal filter every three to 12 months.

The number of years you get on your air scrubber is determined by certain factors and it varies from one user to another. We’ll explore these factors shortly.

Top 3 Air Scrubbers with Best Lifespan

Factors That Affect the Lifespan of Air Scrubbers

1. Brand Quality

This cannot be overemphasized. The quality of the brand is the primary factor that determines whether you’ll enjoy your air scrubber for a long time or it’ll simply pack up after some months.

You need to carry out comprehensive market research, look up trusted reviews by verified buyers and consider the brand’s overall reputation before you invest in an air scrubber. Also, do not forget to check the manufacturer’s warranty.

2. Operation/Usage

The question to ask here is, how long do you run your air scrubber? Understandably, your indoor air can easily become recontaminated a short while after you’ve used an air scrubber (especially if you leave doors and windows open or engage in indoor activities that can cause pollution.

As a result, many homeowners are tempted to run their air scrubbers continuously. While this will help your indoor air quality, it will have a toll on your appliance.

Our advice is for you to run your air scrubber for 24 to 36 hours nonstop before shutting it down for about six hours. Every machine deserves its rest time and your air scrubber shouldn’t be an exception.

3. CADR

This refers to the Clean Air Delivery Rate of the appliance. Top-quality air scrubbers are able to change the indoor air about six times every hour, depending on the size of your airspace.

The higher the CADR, the fewer hours you’ll need to run your air scrubber and the longer its lifespan.

4. Maintenance

Maintenance is critical to an air scrubber’s lifespan. It is important to clean your air scrubber regularly and wash its prefilter at least once a month.

You’d need to wash off the large particles of dirt and dust it gathers using warm water and ensures it is completely dry before putting it back in place.

As for the HEPA filter, you’ll need to replace it at least once or twice every year, depending on your area’s air quality. The Carbon filter also requires replacement once every 3 to 6 months.

5. Workload

The air quality in your area and how much pollution you create indoors will also determine how much work your air scrubber has to do.

Poor air quality means more work, which equals more pressure and quicker wear and tear while cleaner air will mean less work for your appliance.

6. Other appliances

Having other supplementary appliances such as an air exchanger and a dehumidifier will also help your air scrubber work better and longer. A dehumidifier helps to reduce moisture in the air, thereby preventing moisture clogging your air scrubber filters.

How To Know It Is Time to Replace Your Air Scrubber?

If you’ve used an air scrubber for more than 10 years, it is certainly time to replace it and get a new one. By this time, your air scrubber is not likely to be performing at a top-level and will not be cleaning your air as much.

Apart from this, there are certain signs to look out for in determining whether it is time to replace an air scrubber.

1. Does it disperse dusty air?

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve used it; if your filters are clean and yet you notice polluted air coming into your home through the vents, even with an air scrubber installed, it may just be time to replace it.

It may be important to have it checked out by an HVAC professional, but if nothing works you need to get a new unit.

2. Does it stop working on its own?

Another sign of a malfunctioning air scrubber is when the unit goes off on its own several times a day. This may just be the clue you need that your unit has lived out its lifespan.

3. Is there any physical damage?

If you find cracks or other kinds of damage on the appliance causing it to malfunction, perhaps it’s time to let it go and get another one.

4. Are there leaks?

Whether it’s at the point of contact with the ductwork or on the appliance itself, a leak can mean pollutants sneaking through the cracks and getting into your home. If it is impossible or too expensive to fix, you may need to get a replacement air scrubber.

5. Does it consume more energy than usual?

This can be a sign that your air scrubber is developing a fault and needs to be replaced. It may be overworking or underperforming, leading to more energy consumption with less result.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Existing Air Scrubber?

Replacing an air scrubber should cost you between $700 and $2,000.

This depends on the particular air scrubber you’re purchasing and whether you’re hiring a professional or doing it yourself. Replacing an existing air scrubber simply means purchasing a new unit and installing it in place of an older one.

This involves taking out the existing one, cleaning the area and installing the new one. If this is not something you can do yourself, you should get an HVAC professional.

A typical air scrubber should cost you approximately $1,000. If you hire a professional, you may part with an additional $250 to $400 for removing the existing one and installing the new one. That should amount to about $1,350 or more.

Top 3 Air Scrubbers that Last Long

Final Words:

To emphasize, top-quality air scrubbers will last 5 to 10 years. However, the way you treat your air scrubber is crucial to its lifespan. We’ve addressed those factors earlier, including quality of the appliance, maintenance, CADR, workload and the duration of operation, among others.

Bottom line is to get the best value possible from your air scrubber and not hesitate to replace it when it’s time (signs to look out for have also been provided in the article).