Air Scrubber Maintenance Checklist

Keeping your equipment in good working order is key to ensuring compliance and safety in your job sites. Our air scrubber maintenance checklist covers everything you need to know to avoid costly fines and shutdowns, protect human health, and extend the lifespan of your unit.

But if you ever discover your machine is past its prime, decide you need something bigger, or just want help finding the right replacement filters and parts, look no further than US Cleaning Tools. As the #1 provider of air scrubbers for sale online, we can help!

Key Takeaways

• Pre-filters get replaced after each deployment. 
• HEPA filters can last 500 to 2,000 hours depending on particle load and job conditions.
• Pay attention to airflow drops, unusual motor noise, and housing odor - all signs maintenance is due.
• A lot of portable HEPA units have dashboard indicators for service, but track hours anyway.
• Consistent upkeep can extend the life of HEPA filters and the machine itself. 

Products in this guide

Abatement HEPA-AIRE H2KMA$1,401

XPOWER X-3580$1,048

XPOWER HEPA35 Filter$116

Indications Your Air Scrubber Needs Maintenance

Most state-of-the-art air scrubbers will tell you when maintenance is needed with some sort of indicator light. However, that’s not always the case on older or cheaper equipment. And honestly, you should get in the habit of tracking hours on your own to come up with an air scrubber maintenance schedule. Here are some signs your unit is due.

Using Your Senses

The more time you spend using your air scrubber, the better you’ll be able to identify drops in performance. 

• Hold your hand near the exhaust. Does it feel weaker than when the unit was first plugged in? The pre-filter and/or HEPA filter is likely loaded up.
• The motor whirring louder than it typically does suggests it’s working harder than it should.
• A smell emitting from the housing is usually a sign that the carbon filter is saturated or moisture is sitting inside from a previous water job.
• Check the intake side for buildup around the grilles. Look at the pre-filter through the access panel if possible.

Any of these indicators warrant turning the unit off and giving it a little TLC - or at the very least, investigating the issue further. 

Indicators Directly on the Unit

Your air scrubber should have a filter change light or warning indicator that kicks on when static pressure across the filter bank hits a set threshold. Some models have a built-in pressure gauge. A rising differential indicates airflow through the filter is restricted. 

A lot of contractors use their own external manometer across the bank for a more precise reading. You can also watch out for higher-than-normal amp draw on the motor. This means the fan is pushing harder to move air through a loaded filter. That extra strain can take a toll on motor life if you don’t address the issue ASAP.

Assessing Indoor Air Quality

The scrubber isn’t doing its job if particle counts aren’t dropping on schedule, or a containment zone keeps losing negative pressure. Failed clearance tests, lingering haze in the air, and dust settling in areas that should be clean all trace back to improper filtration, too.

Quick Guide to Air Scrubber Maintenance

Air scrubber maintenance should be proactive rather than reactive. Get ahead of these issues before you notice them, and you’ll never have to worry about failed inspections, fines, or subjecting your team to unsafe working conditions. Here’s a quick guide to maintaining the unit:

• Pre-filter: This gets swapped after every job. They fill up fast in settings with high particle counts, and their main purpose is to protect the HEPA filter so it can focus on the really important fine particles. 
• HEPA filter: Hold this filter up to bright light before a job and inspect for tears, collapsed pleats, or gaps at the gasket seal. These should be replaced every 500-2,000 hours depending on the work they’re being subjected to.
• Housing and intake grilles: Wipe down after every use. An exterior caked in dust can restrict airflow.
• Gaskets and seals: Check for compression, cracking, or gaps around the filter housing. Air that bypasses the HEPA totally defeats the purpose of having one in the first place.
• Motor and fan: Listen for any strange bearing noise or vibration at startup. A motor that’s hot to the touch needs to be serviced before it fails mid-job and causes a site shutdown.
• Ducting and adapters: Examine flexible ducting for tears, kinks, or loose connections. Any damaged section can let contamination leak through, again, negating the benefits of having an air scrubber in the space. 
• Power cord and plug: Watch out for fraying, exposed wire, or heat damage at the plug end. 

One thing that gets overlooked regarding air scrubber maintenance is storage. The condition you keep your equipment in between jobs is more important than you may realize. It should be stored somewhere dry and clean - preferably upright. 

Is it Worth Hiring a Professional for Air Scrubber Maintenance? 

It’s really not necessary to hire an outside source to take care of a portable air scrubber. This is something you can train your team on, and trust them to handle for every job. It’s really just a matter of swapping filters, checking gaskets, wiping down housings, and confirming everything is in good working order.

It might make sense to hire a professional when you uncover something more mechanical - say, motor damage or electrical repair. Double-check your warranty details to make sure you don’t inadvertently void it by trying to repair damage yourself. 

We also recommend hiring an expert for any sort of HVAC-integrated system where the unit sits within ductwork. Deferred maintenance in these scenarios can save you from massive headaches down the road.

There will come a time, though, when even the best equipment fails. That’s when you can turn to US Cleaning Tools for an upgraded commercial air scrubber from one of the top brands in the industry. We’ve curated an incredible selection, ranging from small portable units to massive air scrubbers for HVAC systems.

Get in touch today if you want any help selecting the right equipment - or if you need help finding the right replacement filters or spare parts for an existing unit. We’re a click or call away!

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do you have to change the filter in an air scrubber?

Pre-filters should get changed after every deployment. They’re super cheap, and being liberal in how often you swap them can save you from replacing the more expensive HEPA filter prematurely. Speaking of which, the HEPA filter will last 500-2,000 hours. All depends on how hard it has to work. It’s best to log hours and visually inspect the filter to decide when it’s time.

How often should an air scrubber cell be replaced?

These cells are only found in HVAC-integrated photocatalytic units, not portable HEPA scrubbers. Those cells typically need replacement every 2 to 3 years depending on runtime.

How long should an air scrubber last?

A really good commercial air scrubber should deliver years of reliable use in even the toughest conditions. You get what you pay for, so next time you’re in the market, invest in the best at US Cleaning Tools!