Can that blue light actually make my home healthier? Before we determine their worth, let's discuss the science behind UV light purification, and find out why they are proven to improve indoor air quality.
What is UV?
UV(ultraviolet) light is form of electromagnetic radiation that has a vibrational frequency outside of our eyes ability to detect. Basically, it is light that is beyond what our eyes can see. UV radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water, and nonporous surfaces. UV radiation has effectively been used for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria. It is because of this, UV lamps are often called "germicidal" lamps.
Why Do I Need an UV light?
Contamination in HVAC units is a widespread issue that shouldn't be ignored. Let's be honest, most people don't replace their filters often enough. This contamination often contributes to building-related diseases, like viral or bacterial infections, allergic rhinitis, asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, according to the National Institute of Health.
Do UV Lights Really Help?
"If properly designed, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) cleaners that use ultraviolet radiation from UV lamps may destroy indoor biological pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, and some molds that are growing on the moist interiors of HVAC surfaces (e.g., cooling coils, drain pans, or ductwork).", says the EPA. That said, UV lights must be used in conjunction with other air cleaning devices like filter(ideally a Media filter or better), or zinc enhanced catalysts to reach optimal indoor air quality levels. Some models, like the Reme Halo-LED, combine UV & Zinc Enhanced catalysts for ultimate performance.
Different Types/Brands of UV lights
The predominant type of UV light has been a pressurized mercury bulb. This technology has been in use for decades, and works well. The down side to these are that they are fragile, contain mercury, and need fairly frequent replacement. The industry has adopted new, precision wavelength LEDs that are an improvement over past generations. They are mercury-free, last up to 2.5x LONGER, and are more efficient.
Are HVAC UV Lights Worth it?
Absolutely! If you value your health, you and your family, would benefit greatly from this addition. Of course, they must be installed properly, and Cool Casa has decades of experience helping clients breathe easier.
Call Today and see how much better it feels to breathe free.
214-875-3231
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