Are you looking for a cutting-edge solution to keep your indoor environment safe and clean? If so, UV light could be the answer. Well-maintained UV lights are highly effective at eliminating contaminants and odors from the air without producing any hazardous by-products. There are two ways in which UVC irradiation can disable or destroy harmful substances: it can kill them in the air and on surfaces. UV lamps are usually used in a room, buried inside an HVAC system, or in a separate air filter.
In this article, we will focus mainly on ducted UV treatment, as placing exposed UV lamps in the living room or kitchen is not something that people usually do in their homes. Although UV air purifiers can be effective at filtering bacteria from the air, there is a risk that they may emit ozone. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using air purifiers with a carbon or HEPA filter. Molekule destroys bacteria, viruses and mold spores, but it does not remove allergens such as dust, pet dander or chemical vapors from the air (Olander et al.).
Hazardous gases and many solid particles are often invulnerable to UV radiation. So, how do UV lights for air conditioning systems work? In residential applications, we typically install UV light (commonly referred to as a “bar light”) near the coils to prevent mold or bacteria from growing. In addition to eliminating organic growth on the surface of the coil and housing, UV light can also disinfect air that passes through it. With adequate exposure, light can kill bacteria, mold, fungi and some airborne gases without restricting airflow.
As air must come into close contact with light in order to be decontaminated by it, it has a less immediate effect on indoor air quality in the rest of the space. Ultraviolet light cannot destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are commonly found in household products such as paints and varnishes, cleaning, disinfecting and cosmetic solutions. This is different from other air purification technologies that contain UV light technology but don't use it directly against air pollutants. The authors suggest that low-dose UV light may be an effective way to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission in public spaces.
Germicidal UV light has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis and to disinfect hospitals, kitchens, meat processing plants and laboratories. Consult the user manual or ask your Efficient AC, Electric & plumbing technician for more information on the lifespan of UV bulbs. UV air purifiers are devices that use UV light technology to capture air and pass it through a filter. The EPA states that to actually destroy mold spores and bacteria, you would need higher levels of UV light and much longer exposure times.
UV air purifiers are designed to use shortwave ultraviolet light (UV-C light) to inactivate pathogens and microorganisms present in the air, such as mold, bacteria and viruses. For your safety, do not look directly at UV light when it is activated, as it can cause serious eye damage. The density of time and energy is what generally breaks down surface contaminants from viruses and bacteria, so having permanent UV lights over my head that are capable of killing viruses or bacteria would be quite worrying. In conclusion, UV light is an effective way to eliminate contaminants from the air without producing any hazardous by-products.
It can kill bacteria, mold, fungi and some airborne gases without restricting airflow. However, it cannot destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or allergens such as dust, pet dander or chemical vapors from the air. It is important to note that higher levels of UV light and longer exposure times are needed to actually destroy mold spores and bacteria. Additionally, you should never look directly at UV light when it is activated as it can cause serious eye damage.
