ActivePure® air scrubbers go after wildfire smoke, VOCs, and odors on surfaces and in the air: not just what passes through a filter. Continuous purification built for Portland's tough air quality, and one part of our full air purification system installation lineup.
PM2.5, PM10 microscopic particles from regional wildfires
Volatile organic compounds from paint, furniture, cleaning products
Dander, urine, and other pet-related odors
Fish, garlic, and other persistent food odors
Airborne mold spores and mildew
Off-gassing from new construction and renovations
Portland's August-September wildfire season regularly pushes outdoor AQI past 150. Air scrubbers continuously break down smoke particles indoors while your HVAC circulates.
Portland residents experienced AQI over 500 during the 2020 wildfires - air scrubbers kept indoor air safe.
Multiple pets mean dander and odors that standard filters can't keep up with. Air scrubbers break down pet odors at the molecular level while pulling airborne allergens out of your air.
Portland has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the U.S. - air scrubbers are a game-changer.
New construction off-gasses VOCs for 6-12 months. An air scrubber continuously neutralizes those chemical fumes so you're not breathing them while the materials cure.
Essential for Portland's active new construction market and renovated homes.
For anyone with chemical sensitivities or MCS, continuous VOC and odor removal makes a huge difference in daily comfort. Air scrubbers work around the clock to keep chemical levels down.
Air scrubbers offer peace of mind for families with health-sensitive members.
Air scrubbers capture and neutralize microscopic wildfire smoke particles that standard filters can't touch. They work continuously alongside your HVAC system, not just when air passes through a filter.
During smoke events, indoor air can be as polluted as outdoor air without proper filtration. Air scrubbers change that equation.
Unlike portable purifiers that only handle one room, whole-home air scrubbers integrate with your ductwork for whole-house coverage. They operate whenever the blower runs.
Noticeable improvement in 24-48 hours during smoke events.
For maximum wildfire protection, pair an air scrubber with MERV 15-16 filtration. The filter traps particles while the scrubber breaks down odors and VOCs. Together, they keep indoor AQI low even during the worst smoke events.
Keeps indoor AQI low even when outdoor air quality exceeds 150 (hazardous level).
We mount the air scrubber unit in your HVAC supply or return air plenum, positioned for maximum air circulation and full-house purification coverage.
Wire it into the HVAC system so the scrubber activates whenever the blower runs. All connections are properly rated with safety features built in.
We verify the unit is running correctly, check airflow, and confirm everything integrates cleanly with your existing system. Then we calibrate for best performance.
$1,200-
Installed
$200-
Every 2-3 years
Wildfire season peace of mind + reduced odors
Payback through improved air quality and health benefits
Air scrubbers work on surfaces too, while HEPA only filters airborne particles. Scrubbers eliminate odors and VOCs that HEPA filters can't touch.
Best together: HEPA captures particles, air scrubber eliminates odors.
UV lights kill microorganisms but don't address VOCs or odors. Air scrubbers neutralize chemical compounds and eliminate smells.
UV targets microbes, air scrubbers target chemicals and odors.
Ionizers can produce ozone (a lung irritant) and don't remove odors. Air scrubbers are ozone-free and actually eliminate smells from surfaces.
Air scrubbers are safer and more effective than ionizers.
For the best air quality results, layer your technologies: HEPA filtration + UV purification + air scrubber covers particles, microbes, odors, and VOCs from every angle.
This combination gives you hospital-grade air quality at home.
Air scrubbers work best as part of a layered air quality strategy. To complement whole-home scrubbing, pair an air scrubber with UV for sterilization at the coil level. Persistent chemical smells from paint, cleaning products, or new construction respond best to dedicated VOC and odor control. Keeping the whole system running smoothly is easiest with annual HVAC maintenance.
Yes! Air scrubbers are specifically designed to remove wildfire smoke particles (PM2.5, PM10) and neutralize smoke odors. They work continuously with your HVAC system, providing noticeable air quality improvement within 24-48 hours during smoke events. In Portland's wildfire-prone region, they're an essential part of any smoke protection strategy.
Yes, air scrubbers are completely safe and ozone-free. Unlike some air purifiers that produce ozone as a byproduct, air scrubbers use photocatalytic oxidation to create harmless hydrogen peroxide molecules. They're safe for children, pets, and people with respiratory conditions. The technology is used in hospitals and cleanrooms worldwide.
Most customers notice improved air quality within 24-48 hours of installation. Odor reduction is usually immediate, while particle reduction becomes noticeable as the system circulates air throughout your home. During wildfire smoke events, the improvement is often dramatic and immediate.
Filters capture particles but don't address odors, VOCs, or surface contaminants. Air scrubbers go beyond filtration - they neutralize chemical compounds, eliminate odors from surfaces and fabrics, and provide continuous purification. Think of filters as a net that catches particles, while air scrubbers actively clean and sanitize the air.
Absolutely! Air scrubbers excel at eliminating pet odors because they don't just mask smells - they neutralize the odor-causing compounds at a molecular level. They work on surfaces too, so odors embedded in carpets, furniture, and fabrics are continuously broken down. Multiple-pet households see dramatic improvements.
For Portland residents concerned about wildfire smoke, indoor air quality, or persistent odors, air scrubbers are an excellent investment. They provide continuous protection, require minimal maintenance, and pay for themselves through improved health, comfort, and peace of mind. The investment is especially worthwhile given Portland's challenging air quality and wildfire risks.
A few recent Google reviews from homeowners across the metro. We don't edit them.
Phil did a great job of carefully examining all the components of our almost 20 year old HVAC system. He took detailed photos and videos to show me the status. And he didn’t try to sell me anything else! Great experience 10/10System inspection
Efficiency Heating and Cooling came out to our home to do general maintenance on our furnace and heat pump, and also level our heat pump. Tristan was our technician. His work was efficient and thorough. He explained everything he did and told me what Efficiency H&C had to offering the way of maintenance programs. I am very happy with the services we received.Furnace & heat pump maintenance
This was my first time working with this company, and it was an amazing experience! Wayne was super personable, and explained things thoroughly and transparently. The cost was reasonable and that was with the maintenance membership program we joined. Highly recommend this business!Maintenance membership
I definitely recommend Efficiency! On this year's hottest day my AC quit working and Efficiency was able to send a technician right out. He fixed it quickly (luckily it was not a major issue) and now I'm basking in cool air. Thank you so much!AC repair
Tristan was very thorough with diagnosing the issues with my system and walked me through them so I could better understand my options for repair. We’ve had a few HVAC techs look at our system over the last decade or so, and Tristan was by far the best.System diagnosis
Jason came out for an estimate for a heat pump for my house. He listened to what I was looking for function-wise, evaluated the property, gave me a quote with 4 options, and explained the pros and cons of each. He was thorough, friendly, and not at all condescending (women, if you know, you know). Very professional.Heat pump estimate
I bought a furnace from these folks over 10 years ago and was very impressed with their work. I've had them tune up my furnace every year since and it's still the great quality and friendly service. They are dependable and knowledgeable every time I deal with them. I highly recommend them.Furnace install & tune-ups
Efficiency Heating and Cooling is a great company to work with. They gave me multiple options based on personal wants/needs with my 100+ year old house and were patient helping educate me and navigate to a decision. They were prompt, scheduling was easy, very professional, knowledgeable, and walked through with me how my system works once the job was complete. Couldn’t be happier from beginning to end and would heartily recommend them!100+ year old home
Called so many companies to find someone who did duct work beyond cleaning (I had a leak in the duct) and.so glad I got a hold of these guys. Professional, fast, and thorough. Great all around!Duct leak repair
Hire them immediately! Super fair pricing, great service. My Technician, Tristian was communicative and thorough. I tried hiring another company prior and they had me pre-pay, after tons of no shows and shoddy work followed by more no shows I demanded my money back and happily gave it to Efficiency Heating and Cooling.HVAC service
Tristan was very professional. He was on time and explained everything thoroughly. I appreciated the no pressure conversation of future work that could be done with my heating system.Heating system service
What a great experience with Efficiency. From the estimate process to installation, they made everything seamless and easy. When we hit an unexpected snag during installation, they kept us well informed about what was going on how it might affect the timeline. They got everything done and the system is working great!System installation
Two tune-ups a year, priority scheduling and 15% off repairs. No contract, cancel anytime.
Month-to-month · No long-term contract · Covers one system; add more for a discount
You'll talk to someone in our Milwaukie office, not a call center. We'll get a tech out and give you the price before any work starts.
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