Most air purification systems remove particulate matter from your home’s air, but many portable systems do not actually kill living contaminants. Ultraviolet (UV) lights are necessary if you want the best germicidal control. UV lights actually kill mold spores, germs and other biological contaminants, making your home’s air much healthier to breathe. This type of system is especially helpful during humid summers when mold tends to grow and cause allergy problems. It’s also great for preventing illness during cold season.
How it works
UV light rays alter the DNA of germs and other organic contaminants, rendering them harmless. After initially harmful biological pollutants pass by the lights in your HVAC system, they will no longer be able to reproduce and cause allergies or illnesses.
UV purification systems are effective at killing a range of contaminants, including:
- Dust mites
- Bacteria
- Viruses, such as cold and flu viruses
- Mold spores
Benefits
Anyone who appreciates pristine indoor air quality will benefit from the germicidal powers of UV lights. These lights are especially helpful for individuals with:
- Mold growth in the home
- Mold and dust mite allergies
- Respiratory health problems
- Frequent bacterial or viral infections
Many homeowners also appreciate UV systems because of their efficiency and convenience. The lights sit within your home’s HVAC ducts, so they don’t take up any valuable living space. They are silent and require very little maintenance. The most they need are new lightbulbs once per year or less. This type of air purifier is also very efficient, using only a small amount of energy.
One limitation of UV lights is that they do not remove non-organic particulate matter from the air. Therefore, individuals with severe dust or pollen allergies should consider using a UV system in conjunction with an electronic air purifier or HEPA filter. At the very least, make sure your HVAC system has a filter that will remove most of the non-organic dirt and debris that UV lights won’t eliminate.
For help purchasing and installing an air purification system in your Cleveland area home, contact the experts at Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We can test your home’s air to determine what sort of particulates it’s carrying, and then recommend the best system for your situation.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Western Cleveland, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about uv lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
For those Do it Yourselfers who would rather take control of your own indoor comfort, you can shop our online store for replacement parts, products and accessories!
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