How UV Lights for HVAC Improves Home Air Quality
August 18, 2020
Categories: General HVAC
Now that we are spending more time than ever in our homes, indoor air quality should not be overlooked. Don’t be fooled, air pollution doesn’t just occur outside from car emissions and wood-burning fires. Indoor air pollution occurs when the air from your HVAC system isn’t properly filtered or treated. In some cases, this makes indoor air quality worse than outdoor air quality and you probably don’t even realize it!
Make no mistake, this impacts everyone inside the home. However, home air quality is especially important for those suffering from breathing issues such as asthma and C.O.P.D. This is where UV lights for HVAC can be used to combat the harmful contaminants that compromise your indoor air quality.
How UV Lights Improve Home Air Quality
More than 100 years ago ultraviolet (UV) light was discovered to be a germicidal agent with the capacity to break down the DNA in bacteria, viruses, and other airborne contaminants and keep them from growing. In fact, in 1903, Niels Finsen was given the Noble Prize in Medicine for using UV to effectively treat patients with skin infections.
It was also discovered that natural UV light in the sun acts as a germicidal for outside air. This discovery was then leveraged to improve indoor air quality. Today, using UV germicidal lights in connection with your home’s HVAC system is a chemical-free way to disinfect the air inside a home or business.
Here is how UV lights in HVAC systems work.
UV lights reside within the HVAC system in the air handler. As the contaminated air passes through the UV light, contaminates are immediately neutralized preventing potentially harmful bacteria, mold, etc. from entering the living space.
Below are important facts about UV light for HVAC Systems:
- Controls mold and bacteria in indoor air and within the HVAC system
- Reduces smells and odors caused by accumulating contaminates
- Prevents algae growth in the condensate drain line, reducing clogs
- Improves cooling efficiency while reducing electricity costs since the HVAC coils remain cleaner
- Provides more benefit for humid climates than dry climates
Specifically, UV lights for HVAC systems are the most beneficial for air conditioning units. Since AC coils stay wet for several months out of the year, they provide the perfect condition for fungal growth. UV lights keep the coils clean by neutralizing these harmful growths.
Types of UV Lights for HVAC Systems
There are two types of UV lights for HVAC systems.
- Coil Sterilization is the most common type of UV light for HVAC systems. It is a “stick type” light installed inside the HVAC system near the return air duct to sterilize the air handler coil 24/7.
- Air Sterilization – The UV light unit is installed in the return air duct and cycles on with the air handler blower, sterilizing the moving air when the blower is on.
It’s important to note, UV lights should not be your only line of defense against harmful indoor allergens, they do not filter the air. They should be used in addition to air filters which prevent harmful particles from compromising indoor air quality.
Remember, no home is immune to indoor air quality problems. Dirt, mold, pollen, and other allergens do enter the home through your HVAC system, but they don’t have to spread throughout the whole house.
If you want to improve your indoor air quality in Akron Ohio, consider installing a system that utilizes UV lights. This whole-house air purifying system provides a healthy indoor environment while keeping your system clean to extend its lifespan.
As one of the leading quality heating and cooling service providers, we’re more than happy to answer any questions you may have! Fill out our simple contact form for more information or give us a call at 1-877-358-0033.