How UV Filtration in Your HVAC System Can Improve Air Quality in Your Home

0
96
Role of HVAC Systems

Role of HVAC Systems is to improve air quality in your home. According to the 2020 State of the Air report, almost half of the US population breathes in unhealthy air. That’s an estimated 150 million people who live in areas with high levels of pollutants.

The thing is, polluted outdoor air enters buildings, including your home. From here, it affects your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). Scientists say that outdoor air, indeed, is one of the primary culprits of polluted indoor air.

At the same time, indoor air pollution can also contribute to even more outdoor air pollution.

UV filtration, fortunately, can help reduce the pollutants that affect your home’s IAQ. We’ll discuss this in detail below, so be sure to read on.

The Role of HVAC Systems in Indoor Air Contamination and Pollution

In healthcare facilities, the role of HVAC systems protect building occupants. For starters, they help keep indoor air at comfortable levels. They also help when it comes to humidity: not too low to cause dry air, but not too high to promote mold growth.

The role of HVAC systems are also to remove contaminated air and lower the risk of airborne diseases.

Unfortunately, ill-maintained HVAC systems can be a hotspot for germs. This applies to homes, too, so a heater or air conditioner in a bad state can also make you sick. An improperly-maintained HVAC unit can lead to infections, allergies, asthma, and lung issues.

What Then Is UV Filtration in HVAC Systems?

UV filtration in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) helps sterilize the air. These germicidal lighting products utilize ultraviolet light to disinfect the air. You can have them installed in your home’s ductwork or within the HVAC unit itself.

You can DIY the installation, but you may also have the lights set up by an HVAC professional. As beneficial as UV lights are, they still emit ultraviolet rays. So, their installation and handling require the use of proper protective equipment.

How Do UV Lights Work Against Disease-Causing Microorganisms?

You hear about UVA and UVB all the time, but did you know that it’s the UVC light with disinfecting properties? The thing is, the UVC rays of the sun never make it to earth, as the ozone layer absorbs most of it. The ultraviolet radiation that does reach humans consists of 95% UVA and 5% UVB light.

As such, HVAC UV lights utilize lamps that generate high-intensity UVC light. According to scientists, UVC kills pathogens that can cause infections and infectious diseases. It does so by destroying harmful microorganisms like bacteria and viruses.

UVC also keeps pathogens from proliferating by destroying their DNA. This, in turn, makes the microorganisms unable to “repair” or “heal” themselves. Since the light kills them, their reproduction slows, and their population decreases.

How Exactly Do HVAC UV Lights Work to Disinfect the Air?

Some of the most common types of UV light for HVAC systems are in-duct and coil sterilizers.

In-duct UV lights are air purification systems installed within the ductwork. In this case, the UV light gets placed inside the return duct. The purifier then disinfects the air that passes through this channel.

Coil sterilizers can take the form of rack-mounted UV lights. These units can disinfect the entire air handling unit (AHU) of an HVAC system. The light radiates over these HVAC components, killing pathogens that linger on them.

The Many Ways That HVAC UV Light Benefits Users

One vital reminder: HVAC UV lights are not a replacement for HVAC filters. However, the addition of UV lights can boost the overall effects of your air cleaning methods at home.

With that said, here’s a rundown of the top benefits that UV lights for HVAC systems can bring.

Fewer Pathogens In the Air

Studies have confirmed that UV lights kill many types of germs, bacteria, and viruses. Again, they do so by destroying pathogens on contact or making them unable to reproduce. The fewer of these hazards in the air, the lower the risk of diseases.

This is also why around 60% of in-use UVGI lights are in healthcare facilities.

So, why not consider having these germicidal lights installed in your home, too? This way, you can have more peace of mind knowing that you’re breathing in healthier air.

An Effective Defense Against Molds

According to studies, molds may contribute to about 40% of asthma attacks in US homes. These microorganisms also appear to have a role in asthma and allergy development. So, constant exposure to molds may put you at risk of developing such conditions.

Note that molds can quickly grow on the moist areas of an HVAC system. When allowed to stay around, molds can multiply and release spores into the air.

The good news is that UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) lights can also destroy some types of molds. This, in turn, can help you reduce molds, which can lead to fewer spores. The fewer mold spores there are in the air, the better your home’s IAQ can be.

Added Bonus of Increasing HVAC Efficiency

Keep in mind that any residue on HVAC components, such as coils, can make the unit work harder. Biological growth, like molds, can hinder the efficiency of your heater or AC. As UV lights can kill these contaminants, they can also help you trim your heating and cooling costs.

Plus, there would be fewer particles and debris that can get trapped in your HVAC filter. This, in turn, can help your HVAC filters last longer and work better, too.

Breathe in Healthier, Safer Air With HVAC UV Lights

There you have it, everything you need to know about how UV filtration can help improve your home’s IAQ. For the best results, pair high-efficiency HVAC filters with UV lights. This way, you can breathe easier, not to mention stay safer in the comfort of your home.

Ready to improve the indoor air quality of your home with UV lights? Feel free to get in touch with our team of experts here at Technical Hot and Cold! We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about UV filtration products.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here