Air Scrubber vs Ozone Machine: What’s the Difference and Which Do You Need?

We see so many misconceptions circulating regarding the air scrubber vs ozone machine debate. Restoration and remediation jobs call for equipment that keeps the air safe and contains the contamination. But which is actually right for YOUR line of work? 

These pieces of equipment use very different technology to treat indoor air. Without even knowing anything about what you do, we can safely assume you need a HEPA air scrubber. These physically capture harmful particles down to 0.3 microns in size. On the other hand, an ozone generator breaks down odors and organic compounds using reactive gas.

They are not different means to the same end, though. While air scrubbers are safe to use with people in the room, ozone generators create dangerous byproducts. Learn more about the differences between an ozone machine vs air scrubber below. 

Air Scrubber vs Ozone Machine (Quick Comparison)

What Are Air Scrubbers Used For? 

Air scrubbers are non-negotiable in many different industries, from mold remediation to asbestos abatement. They also help capture fine construction dust that could cause respiratory conditions. They clean particles as small as 0.3 microns at a rate of 99.97% efficiency, which is why they’re the gold standard in most industries. 

This equipment sucks contaminated air through a series of filters. The pre-filters capture bigger contaminants, while the HEPA stage grabs all the tiny particles like mold, asbestos, lead, etc. 

IICRC S520 requires HEPA filtration for mold work. OSHA and EPA mandate it for asbestos and lead abatement. Chances are, you need one of these pieces of equipment if you’re doing any sort of hazardous cleanup or demolition.

Many units are capable of creating negative pressure in a space, which is imperative for sealing contaminated areas off from other rooms in a building. This keeps the contaminant in the room. You can duct air scrubbers outdoors or into a different space. However you run yours, the key takeaway is that they keep the air clean so employees can work within a space. 

What Does an Ozone Generator Do? 

An ozone generator makes a reactive gas known as O3, which can break down odor-causing molecules, volatile organic compounds, and some bacteria on contact. What makes this piece of equipment unique is that it not only cleans certain contaminants from the air but also on surfaces.

The reason these aren’t used in many industries is they’re impractical. The EPA has found that the concentrations of O3 needed to actually control indoor air pollution are unsafe for human health.1 Any ozone generator that’s “safe” is not doing anything for the air quality in a space.

You’ll still see ozone generators used from time to time. The difference is that the space they operate in must be totally unoccupied. The risks of O3 include respiratory irritation and long-term lung tissue damage, especially in sensitive individuals.

Ozone Machine vs Air Scrubber: Side-by-Side Comparison

Although there is some overlap in what the machines can be used for, the air scrubber vs ozone machine debate is fairly cut and dry. Here’s a side-by-side look at the two pieces of equipment if you’re still not sure which is right for you. 

How They Clean

The air scrubber vs ozone machine debate is really a physical cleaning vs chemical cleaning showdown. Air scrubbers mechanically clean the air using pre-filters and HEPA filters. They pull in contaminants and trap them in those filters, ridding the air of harmful particles.

On the other hand, ozone generators send out O3. Actually, that’s a bit of an oversimplification. They send out electrical discharge or UV light which converts O2 into O3. That O3 then reacts with certain airborne and surface-level organic pollutants.

What They Clean

Each machine is best suited for handling a very specific set of contaminants. For example, an air scrubber is necessary for dust, spores, fibers, dander, and really any other airborne solid or liquid. 

What an air scrubber will not eliminate is odors or gases. An ozone machine can, though. It also takes care of VOCs, smoke residue, and certain bacteria. But the ozone machine would never be suitable for cleaning spores or dust or any actual particles. 

This is to say, there will be situations where it’s not a matter of picking between an air scrubber vs ozone machine. You may need both, say, for fire restoration. Or water damage cleanup where there is mold and a nasty mildew smell left behind. 

The Safety Side of Things

This is perhaps the most important takeaway from our ozone machine vs air scrubber comparison. Air scrubbers are completely safe to operate while a crew is working within the room. In fact, they are often mandated for employees to be in the environment when certain harmful compounds are present - asbestos, mold, construction dust, etc.

In contrast, ozone generators are not safe to work around. OSHA limits acceptable exposure to just 0.1 ppm over an 8-hour workday.2 That’s a limit that’s unrealistic to maintain for an ozone machine, as the EPA tested many devices and found they produced 0.50 to 0.80 ppm even when closely following the brand’s guidelines.1 That’s 5-10x the safe limit. 

Cost Comparison

You can find commercial air scrubbers for sale right here at US Cleaning Tools, starting at only $500-$600. Larger, more capable machines with higher CFM ratings will cost a few thousand dollars. They’re an investment in your company’s compliance and safety, though. Having one of these on hand will keep you from having your job site shut down for non-compliance.

We also have ozone generators here at US Cleaning Tools, which tend to be more affordable than their air scrubbing counterparts. Smaller-scale machines are just $100-$200, and even the bigger systems rarely cost more than $1,000. 

Typical Applications

The simplest way to choose between an air scrubber vs ozone machine is by use case.

• Air scrubber: Mold remediation, asbestos abatement, lead paint removal, construction dust control, renovating occupied buildings. Essentially any project with mandated HEPA filtration per IICRC, OSHA, or EPA.
• Ozone machine: Removing odors in vacated spaces. Think fire restoration, vehicle deodorizing, hotel room turnover, etc. 

Similar to the air purifier vs air scrubber comparison we wrote previously, there’s not exactly a one-size-fits-all answer as to what your business needs. But we’d venture to guess you’d probably benefit from an air scrubber more than an ozone generator.

Either way, though, US Cleaning Tools has you covered.  

Find the Right Air Scrubbing Equipment For Your Business at US Cleaning Tools 

We carry the latest and greatest models from the top brands in the air scrubber market, including Abatement Technologies, XPOWER, Aerospace America, Nikro, Novatek, AllerAir, and Airgle. 

Let our team help you narrow it down to the right fit based on where you’re working, what you’re up against, and your budget. We’ll also help you determine if you need an ozone generator or not. Get in touch today!

Frequently asked questions

Is an air scrubber the same as an ozone machine?

Not at all. They clean very differently. Air scrubbers remove particles, whereas ozone generators work against odors and organic compounds. 

Is it better to use an air scrubber with or without ozone?

Without. An air scrubber can effortlessly clean the space on its own and keep your workers safe.

Do all air scrubbers produce ozone?

No, in fact, very few do. There are some ionizer-based air purifiers out there, but those are a totally different class of equipment. 

Are air scrubbers really worth it?

Absolutely. They’re non-negotiable for many applications, as a matter of fact. Find yours at US Cleaning Tools today!