Living a healthier lifestyle is becoming more and more popular and there’s no better time to bring healthy living into your home than now. Having clean air free of mold, fungi, bacteria and even viruses in the home is just one way to bring healthier living into the home. This is all possible by upgrading the HVAC system of a home by adding a UV (ultraviolet) filtration system.
UV Benefits for HVAC Systems
- Purify Air
- Effective against Allergens and Dust
- Destroys Viruses, Bacteria, Mold, Fungi
- No sound
- No exterior light
What does Ultraviolet Light do?
UV light has been used for decades to kill living airborne pollutants. Marketed as UVGI systems or Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation when added to an existing HVAC system. Once installed the UVGI system the air is pushed past the ultraviolet lights before being forced through the rest of the duct work in the home or office. UV lights purify the air by actually changing the molecular structure of bacteria and viruses thus causing them to be inactive or completely destroyed. Adding a UV light system alongside an existing HEPA filter can greatly increase the air quality in the home.
Great for People and Children who
- Have Allergies
- Are Immuno-comprised
- Live in Dusty areas
Improve Whole Home Air Quality
Ultraviolet Filters
With such a heavy focus on healthy living adding a UVGI system to a home is a wonderful way to improve the quality of air in the home. While the UVGI filtration does not remove things like pet dander it can be effective against other allergens such as mold, fungi and dust mites.
Air Sterilization
Zapping germs out of the air inside a residential HVAC system, however, is generally not as effective. The main reason for that is that the UV lamp won't have the intensity needed to provide a high enough dose to kill the various germs. The air moves through most air handlers and duct systems at 500 to 900 feet per minute. The faster it moves, the more power you need in your UV lamps to zap the speedy little germs.
Coil Sterilization
The primary benefit of using UV lamps like this is to kill stuff growing on the coil or in the drain pan below it. So for UV lamps integrated into the HVAC system, the main benefit is to keep stuff from growing on the surfaces, especially the coil and drain pan. It's not going to kill much coronavirus or other baddies that get pulled into the ducts.
Adding a UVGI is not the only way that air quality can be improved with additions to the HVAC system.
HEPA Filters
Upgrading the filter to a HEPA filter can greatly improve air quality by trapping allergens and other particles in the air. The standard for HEPA filters is that they must remove over 99% of air particles equal to the size of 0.3 μm.
Sealing Ductwork
Sealing ductwork can prevent air leaks that could introduce un-filtered air into your system leading to improved air quality. Leaky air ducts can welcome in unwanted air pollutants from allergens, to harmful fumes, to toxic garden chemicals as well as insulation particulates.
Controlling Humidity
Maintaining humidity in the home can help reduce the number of harmful bacteria and mold in the home. Bacteria and mold both thrive in extremes of humidity whether high or low. Keeping your home at consistent levels of humidity can help to not only reduce the number of bacteria but can also keep them from forming.
Difference in UV lights
Not all UV lights are created equal, there are three main types of UV lights: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Because light is created by lightwaves the differing wavelengths create the varying UV light forms, wavelengths are commonly measured in nanometres or nm. Each of the different UV lights have different levels of visibility and what they can do. Understanding the different forms of UV lights is important when looking into upgrading an HVAC system and adding a UVGI system. Ensuring that the lights that are added are UVA is paramount because UVB and UVC lights are not germicidal.
UVA
UVA lights have the smallest wavelengths between 200 and 280nm. Bacteria are susceptible to UVA light. The germicidal properties of the UVA light will actually change the DNA of microorganisms including bacteria and mold leading to better purified air.
UVB
UVB lightwaves range from 280-315nm and are responsible for sun tanning; UVB bulbs are commonly used in tanning beds.
UVC
UVC lights range from 315-400nm and have a range of uses from curing resin to bug attraction to common black lights for glow in the dark effects. The UVC photons are energetic enough to damage the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, destroying their ability to replicate. Viruses are susceptible to UVC light, bacteria are less susceptible, and fungal spores are the least susceptible.
How do I get a UV Filter for my home?
If you are interested in upgrading your HVAC system to include a UV light air purifier all your local HVAC contractor if you want it installed, or if you are a DIY’er, you can find many retailer online that sell heating and cooling accessories including UV Lamps. This air purification system by Fresh Aire is a great universal option that is compatible with a myriad of existing HVAC manufacturers.
