You may be familiar with ultraviolet lamps as used in tanning beds, theatrical black lights, and counterfeit money detection. But did you know germicidal UV lights also work with your HVAC system to improve indoor air quality? UV lights may not replace conventional HVAC air filters, but they work in conjunction with them to further purify the air you breathe. Here’s a little insight into how UV germicidal lights work and what benefits they provide.
How Do UV Germicidal Lights Work?
Ultraviolet light is part of the light spectrum, landing between X-rays on the low end and visible light on the high end. The UV spectrum ranges from 100 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm. You can get sunburned by UVA and UVB rays, but UVC is what’s considered germicidal.
When a UV lamp floods an area of your ductwork with UVC light, it deactivates the DNA of any airborne pathogens passing through the duct. This destroys the replicating ability of mold, bacteria, and viruses, killing these microorganisms when they attempt to multiply.
Benefits of UV Germicidal Lights
You still need a traditional media air filter to trap dust, pet dander, textile fibers and other airborne impurities, but adding a UV germicidal light to your central HVAC system could prove very beneficial.
- Fewer germs in your home:
The UV lamps available from Wolfers Heating offer the highest light intensity of any germicidal lamp on the market. Their powerful ultraviolet energy reduces the concentration of airborne microorganisms by 50 percent within just 45 minutes. The resulting cleaner indoor air can reduce your allergy symptoms, help you get over illnesses faster and prevent spreading germs around the house. - More efficient HVAC operation:
Killing the germs in your ductwork doesn’t just neutralize harmful containments in the air you breathe – it also keeps ducts, coils, and other heating and cooling components clean and running at optimal efficiency. - Versatile and easy to install:
The UV lamp sits within the ductwork, meaning it’s compatible with virtually any forced-air heating and cooling system. Installation is also quick and easy for effortless retrofitting. - No ozone emissions:
Some air purifiers emit ozone as a byproduct. This known lung irritant can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms in individuals with sensitive respiratory systems. UV germicidal lamps are a non-chemical, non-ozone-emitting approach to disinfection. They add no byproducts to the air – they simply make it cleaner by destroying germs. - Low cost requirements:
UV lights work continuously, even when your furnace or air conditioner isn’t running. Fortunately, the cost to operate a UV lamp is negligible. Plus, this simple device with no moving parts rarely requires maintenance or repair to keep your lifetime operating costs down.
If you’re interested in adding a UV germicidal light to your HVAC system, or you want to learn more about our other indoor air quality products, please contact Wolfers Heating at 503-220-1901.
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