Why Install a UV Light in Your HVAC System?
Did you know that your heating and air conditioning system could be spreading bacteria, viruses, mold and dust particles throughout your home? These particles travel through your system and are small enough to make it through the filter and coils.
UV lights have been proven to kill mold, viruses and bacteria. They are also proving to be one of the most promising decontamination methods for Covid-19. Installing a UV Light in your system can eliminate these particles and prevent them from circulating throughout your home.
Do UV Sanitizing Lights Really Work?
It has been proven that UV lights can effectively kill mold, viruses and bacteria. They are used in hospitals and nursing homes to reduce the spread of bacteria and diseases.
More recently, UV lights are known to be successful against virus types such as rhinoviruses (common cold), influenza viruses, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and hostile to bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus (Staph infection) and Streptococcus variants.
Will UV Lights Kill Covid-19?
A recent article on Columbia University’s reported that ultraviolet light, already having demonstrated effectiveness in killing two coronaviruses that inflict less severe symptoms on humans, is now undergoing testing against the novel coronavirus “with encouraging results.”
While we presently don’t know specifically the UV-C dose necessary to kill this new novel coronavirus, we do know that viruses are some of the easiest micro-organisms to kill. We also know that UV light has proven to be an effective treatment for similar viruses.
How Do UV Lights Work?
UV lights for HVAC systems are constructed to make use of a specific wavelength of light – 254 nanometers – that’s absorbed by the DNA of microorganisms present in the system. Following exposure to the UV light, the organisms are incapable of generating the proteins required to stay alive. This eliminates their capacity to cause harm and drastically reduces their lifespan.
Here are a few of the chief benefits homeowners can gain from investing in a UV light:
-
Bacteria and Virus Elimination For individuals who are highly prone to illness or for high-risk environments, built-in UV lights offer thorough sanitization. Some systems can even eliminate nearly all microscopic contaminants in an environment. Eradicating these contaminants will improve the smell and feel in the air.
-
Mold and Fungi Management Mold can cultivate inside a system, leading to health problems such as skin and eye irritations or respiratory illness. Getting rid of mold can be both costly and time-consuming. UV lights keep mold and fungi at bay.
-
Peace of Mind Arming your HVAC system with UV light means not having to fret about a filter letting through various contaminants. The unit will sanitize all surfaces the light can reach and lessen the danger of contaminants in other parts of the system.