Many people know that air pollution outside can affect their health and wellbeing, but many homeowners are unaware that their indoor air can create similar problems. There are several ways to remove contaminants from the air in your living space, but a UV light can be one of the most effective. Below, we’re going to discuss what UV light is, how it works, and the top four benefits of installing one in your HVAC system.
What is UV Light?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is just like visible light, but it falls above the visible level on the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. It has a shorter wavelength than the light we can see, but a longer one than x-rays and gamma rays. UV light is naturally emitted from the sun, so we’re exposed to it daily.
What Does it Kill?
When used in an enclosed portion of your HVAC system, it can kill microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and viruses located in your ventilation. It can also remove some allergens from the air inside your house.
How Does it Work?
UV light from the sun is what causes sunburn and tanning, both of which are a type of skin damage. While our bodies can handle some UV exposure without too much risk of permanent damage, bacteria, viruses, and fungi die quickly when exposed.
How They Work in Your HVAC Unit
In an enclosed HVAC system, UV will kill off anything that is carbon-based but will never come in contact with the home’s occupants. This means that you and your family will remain perfectly safe while the UV light destroys pathogens that make their way through your heating or cooling system.
Below, we’ll go over the four most significant benefits of installing a UV light in your HVAC system.
1 – Reduce the Chance of Sickness
Contaminants in your indoor air – like viruses, bacteria, and mold spores – can cause sickness. A UV light will kill off much of the living material in your home before it has the chance to make you sick or cause an allergic reaction.
2 – Reduce the Severity of Allergies/Asthma
Mold spores and pet dander in your air can cause allergies and asthma attacks, and these will also be killed or weakened by a UV light in your HVAC system.
3 – Eliminate Odors
UV light can also help remove other pollutants from your air. These include odor-causing compounds from tobacco smoke, burning wood from a fireplace or wood-burning stove, an unvented oven, and your boiler or furnace. A UV light can scrape the air clean of these contaminants and reduce the odors they cause.
4 – Improve Airflow
Lastly, the more material the UV light kills the less gets stuck in your physical filter. UV lights can improve airflow through your HVAC system and make your equipment run more efficiently.
UV lights can help clean the air in your home, improving your indoor air quality and providing safe, breathable air with fewer contaminants. When you’re ready to consider installing a UV light purification system in your home, contact one of our air quality experts for more information and guidance.
