How Do UV Light Indoor Air Quality Products Work?

April 16, 2021
UV light air purifier

Most homeowners in Windsor, ON, are shocked to learn that the air in their homes is up to five times dirtier than the outdoor air. Indoor air pollution is a leading cause of poor indoor air quality. Some common pollutants in your home’s air could include pollen, dust, spores, bacteria, viruses, dander, oil droplets and more. Fortunately, there are many cost-effective and safe ways to improve your home’s indoor air quality, and UV lights are one of them. Read on to learn how UV lights work and how they could benefit your health and home.

What a UV Light Is

A UV light is a special bulb that emits ultraviolet light. There are three types of ultraviolet lights, including UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. The type used for indoor air quality improvement is UV-C. This light produces a wavelength of about 250 nanometers. It has the shortest wavelength of all ultraviolet lights. The short wavelength makes it powerful. It’s used in many applications and settings for sterilization, disinfection and air purification. When a UV-C lamp releases energy into the air, it disrupts proteins and breaks them apart.

Where Is a UV Light Installed?

A UV light is typically installed in your indoor air handler. The technician places it close to the evaporator coil. The energy from the light reaches all surfaces of the coil. When air passes over the coil, it goes through the UV light’s energy field. The light is hardwired into the air handler. It uses about 17 to 20 watts of power, which is a little less than an incandescent light bulb and about the same amount as an CFL or LED bulb.

How a UV Light Works

UV-C light destroys proteins. When the UV light reaches an allergen, it destroys the proteins that cause your immune system to trigger an allergic reaction. It also scrambles the DNA in cells and viruses. When the DNA is broken, a germ can’t cause an infection. UV lights are powerful disinfectants, and they destroy more than 99.7% of bacteria and viruses within seconds. The proteins and cells break apart into tiny particles, and those particles are typically trapped by your home’s air filter. The light eliminates bacteria, viruses and mold before they can enter your home’s ducts and circulate through your living space.

Which Types of Indoor Air Pollutants Are Destroyed by UV Lights?

UV lights destroy almost every type of particle that pollutes indoor air. They break apart bacteria, dust, pollen, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, soil, ash, soot, oil droplets, animal saliva and viruses.

Benefits of Installing a UV Light

In addition to improving the quality of your home’s air, there are other significant benefits of installing a UV light. The light prevents bacteria and mold from growing on your air conditioner’s evaporator coil. This reduces the risk of coil corrosion and improves the air conditioner’s energy efficiency. A clean coil is less likely to have a refrigerant leak. You’ll save money with improved efficiency and a lower risk of air conditioner malfunctions.

Another benefit of UV lights and their improvement of your home’s indoor air quality is their effect on your health. You may experience fewer allergy and asthma flare-ups. Because the lights destroy germs, you may get fewer illnesses. Even if you don’t have allergies or asthma, you may find it easier to breathe when harmful molds, mildew, dust, and other particles are broken apart by the UV light.

How to Make the Most of Your UV Light

It’s important to have your UV light and other indoor air quality products installed by a certified HVAC technician. Proper installation of the UV light maximizes its safety and effectiveness. About every one to two years, the lamp will need a new bulb. The bulb should also be replaced by a certified technician. You can pair the UV light with a high-quality air filter in your HVAC system. The filter will trap the particles broken apart by the UV light.

Guaranteed Comfort Heating & Cooling is Windsor’s trusted installation team for UV lights. In addition to the lights, we also offer air purifiers, HEPA filters, and MERV 14 and 16 filters. Homeowners also count on us for heating and air conditioning maintenance, repair, and replacement services. Our smart thermostats and heat recovery ventilation systems boost your home’s energy efficiency. To learn more about UV lights and how they improve indoor air, get in touch with us today.