Improve Your Indoor Air Quality with Ultraviolet Germicidal Lamps

Ultraviolet light is naturally produced by the sun. It’s invisible to your eyes but with long enough exposure, your skin will feel it. it’s also produced by air purification products like UV germicidal lamps.

There are three different types of ultraviolet light:

• UV-A. Commonly used in tanning beds, this wavelength tans and ages your skin.
  
• UV-B. Naturally occurs in sunlight and is responsible for giving you painful sunburns.
• UV-C. Most powerful wavelength, which is used in germicidal applications like air purification and sterilization.

UV-C light destroys bacteria and viruses by deactivating their DNA. These pathogens die because they aren’t able to replicate.

We typically install ultraviolet germicidal lamps inside your ductwork. These lights are also known as purifying lights, sanitizing lights or sterilization lights. These air purification systems use intense UV rays to deactivate airborne particles.

Exposure to ultraviolet germicidal lamps prevent small organisms like mold and bacteria from replicating or reproducing. In many cases a lack of activity will also stop them from circulating through your HVAC system. This effectively sanitizes indoor air.

There are two primary types of UV germicidal lamps you can use: coil sanitizing lights and air sanitizing lights. We’ll help you choose the right one for your needs and budget.

Coil Sanitizing Lights

A coil-based UV germicidal lamp focuses on your air conditioner’s condenser coil. This makes it more useful for central air conditioning systems with only one coil. As moisture collects, the surface of the coil becomes ideal for growing mold or bacteria. If not sanitized, these particles can circulate throughout your HVAC system.

A coil sanitizing light concentrates UV rays on this one component. They run continuously to ensure as many particles are sanitized as possible. Their comparatively simple design makes them the most common choice for UV germicidal lamps. Coil sanitizing lights can be found in both single- and dual-lamp models.

Air Sanitizing Lights

This kind of UV germicidal lamp is placed in the ductwork itself. Their UV light is concentrated where return air is brought into your HVAC system. Air sanitizing lights are more effective for airborne particles.

These models can be used with other components like the blower motor. It will start and stop as the motor does. This reduces the energy they’ll need to effectively sanitize indoor air.

UV lights are an excellent way to improve your indoor air quality. There are many specific benefits for doing so, such as:

• Reducing musty or unpleasant odors. Mold, bacteria and fungi growth is often smelly. If these organisms appear in your ductwork, the smell can circulate through your entire home.
• Prevent growth on delicate HVAC components. Organisms growing in your HVAC system can clog important components. This can lead to damage or reduced efficiency. UV germicidal lamps will prevent these organisms from collecting inside your HVAC system.
• May reduce illness or respiratory problems. Higher indoor air quality is better for your health. In many cases it can reduce airborne particles that make you sick. Other particles like dander and pollen will also be reduced. People with allergies or asthma may find breathing is much easier.
• Low maintenance. Most UV germicidal lamps are easily maintained, but the bulbs need to be replaced regularly. For most models, that’s once a year. We’ll take care of this during your annual maintenance visit.