Now that we’re in the midst of the cold and flu season, we should be concerned with protecting ourselves and our families from the abundance of germs in the air around us. We naturally focus on the common sense methods that we have been taught since childhood, such as washing our hands, covering our mouths when we sneeze or cough, not sharing pens, etc. But have you ever thought about fighting the battle against germs through UV light installed in your HVAC system? A properly installed UV light has germicidal properties that can improve the air quality of your home.
UV lamps have been around since the early 1940s, and have been used in industrial and medical applications for decades for their disinfectant properties in such things as:
- Water purification
- Sterilizing surfaces
- Disinfecting goods
Properly installed UV light has properties that help eliminate from the air contaminants like:
- Mold
- Bacteria
- Bioaerosols
- Viruses
UV light is above the spectrum of visible light and, like the sun’s rays, is absorbed by organisms. The DNA of germs and other organisms is damaged by the UV lights as the HVAC system draws in the air through the supply duct. Generally, UV lights are placed inside the air handler where they can be directed at the evaporator coil.
The average person spends up to 90 percent of his or her time indoors and studies show that 50 percent of all people have allergies. Using UV light as a method of enhancing our indoor air quality seems a logical step.
In addition to UV lamps performing well in the battle against germs, they are also long lasting. Although there are several different types of UV lamps, the typical UV bulb lasts between 8,000 and 12,000 hours.
Consult a qualified professional to help you choose and install the right kind of UV light for your HVAC system. Around the Clock Air Conditioning and Heating Inc.has been helping homeowners in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley areas create a healthful indoor environment since 1967, and would love to answer any questions you may have.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas 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.
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