Air Scrubber UV Light vs Fresh Air Intake System

The climate of the Pacific Northwest is characterized by long, wet seasons that can bring airborne particles and contaminants into your home. If you’re concerned about indoor air quality, it’s important to understand the differences between a fresh air intake system and an air scrubber when choosing the option that’s best for you. The experienced team at Revival Heating & Cooling provides reliable indoor air quality (IAQ) services to help create a cleaner, healthier home.

Why Indoor Air Quality Matters in the Pacific Northwest

In the Pacific Northwest, homes are particularly vulnerable to pollutants, allergens, wildfire smoke, and moisture that affect indoor air quality. The quality of the air in your home directly affects your comfort, health, and your HVAC system’s performance. Two of the most common solutions local homeowners ask about are UV air scrubbers and fresh air intake systems.

Each of these systems serves a different purpose. When you improve your indoor air quality with systems that provide clean, balanced air, your HVAC system distributes heating and cooling more evenly, saving you money and improving comfort.

What Is an Air Scrubber UV Light System?

An air scrubber UV light system is a whole-home air purification device installed directly in your HVAC ductwork. As treated air passes through, it’s exposed to intense UV-C light and undergoes a process called photocatalytic oxidation. This system slightly sanitizes the air and surfaces in the home and operates only when the HVAC equipment is running. Over time, UV air scrubbers break down and can actually add to the pollution in your home, making it a short-term solution with an ultimately negative impact on your home’s air quality if not maintained properly. This is why a fresh air intake system is better long-term.

Important considerations for UV systems

There are some important things to consider before installing a UV system in your home, including:

• UV bulbs degrade over time and eventually lose their effectiveness.
• As components break down, performance can decline rapidly.
• The potential for byproducts like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may negatively affect your indoor air quality.
• UV systems don’t address the root cause of stale or unhealthy indoor air and are often better viewed as short-term or supplemental tools rather than long-term solutions.

What Is a Fresh Air Intake System?

A fresh air intake HVAC component pulls outside air into your home’s ventilation system to improve the indoor air quality. This fresh air exchanger dilutes pollutants and introduces outdoor air in a controlled, balanced manner. Instead of just treating stale indoor air, a fresh air intake system replaces it with clean, fresh air. They can bring in outdoor pollutants, but are primarily designed to improve indoor air quality by diluting indoor contaminants such as CO2 and VOCs with outdoor air.

This system acts like a dedicated air duct that’s typically connected to the return plenum. The unique design allows for consistent, controlled ventilation in tightly sealed, modern Pacific Northwest homes that may lack natural air infiltration. Instead of ventilation via random air leaks, it works in tandem with your HVAC equipment to provide balanced, managed ventilation that supports healthy indoor air.

Air Scrubber vs. Fresh Air Intake: Key Differences

A fresh air intake system is a better, more stable long-term solution for your home because it addresses indoor air quality at the source. These IAQ systems aren’t interchangeable and may serve different comfort goals. Here are some key differences between these two systems:

• Air exchange vs. air treatment: A UV air scrubber treats the air, while a fresh air intake system exchanges stale air for fresh, clean air.
• Long-term reliability: UV lights can degrade and fail over time, while a home air exchanger offers a better solution for long-term reliability.
• Consistency of performance over time: An air scrubber only works when your HVAC is running, while a fresh air intake system consistently ventilates and exchanges the air.
• Impact on overall home comfort: UV air scrubbers remove allergens, odors, and pet odors, while air intake systems treat stale air that contains unpleasant odors and harmful VOCs.
• Role in moisture management and odor control: Both systems are effective at controlling odors, but a fresh air intake system is better at managing moisture due to its dehumidifying properties.

Why Fresh Air Intake Systems Are a Better Long-Term Solution for PNW Homes

In Pacific Northwest homes, adequate fresh air exchange is essential. Choosing an air intake system reduces your reliance on UV bulbs and other components that can degrade over time. Fresh air intake systems provide better support for moisture management, a vital feature for homes located in the Pacific Northwest’s damp climate. These systems are more predictable and consistent if you’re looking for effective, long-term air quality improvement, even temperatures, and improved airflow throughout your home.

Why Home Sealing and Comfort Assessments Matter First

Before installing a ventilation system for homes, your property should be sealed properly and undergo a thorough comfort assessment. Uncontrolled, unsealed air leaks can impact indoor air quality, but sealing attics and the building envelope supports better, more effective ventilation control. When your home uses less energy, your IAQ system can perform more efficiently. Consider our air sealing services to reduce air leakage and ensure your IAQ system performs as effectively as possible.

A home comfort assessment helps identify whether your IAQ issues are due to leaks, airflow problems, or ventilation gaps. This comprehensive assessment prevents over-ventilation or under-ventilation of the whole home ventilation system by supporting smart, proactive, well-informed design.

Better Air Supports Better Comfort

IAQ improvements help to support your overall comfort and the performance of your HVAC system. From stale, humid air to pollutants and wildfire smoke, living in the Pacific Northwest requires homeowners to use indoor air quality solutions that work. While UV air scrubbers help sanitize the air temporarily, a fresh air exchange system is the best long-term option for tightly sealed homes in our region. Contact Revival Heating & Cooling today for indoor air quality evaluations and solutions.