Is UV Light for My AC or Furnace Worth It?

September 08, 2020

You likely are aware that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) causes painful sunburn. But did you realize that a different type of ultraviolet light can be useful for keeping your home’s air clean?

The sun gives off two types of harmful UV rays, UVA and UVB. These damaging rays can result in sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

There’s another type of UV light, known as UVC. While direct exposure to this ultraviolet light isn’t good for your skin or eyes, it can safely be utilized to disinfect air, water and various surfaces.

E.B. Air, LLC uses this light in several of our systems to enhance air filtration in East Bernard homes.

Applications for Ultraviolet Light

This specific wavelength is called “germicidal” because it wipes out the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens move through this light, they eventually die since they can’t multiply.

This makes UVC light a strong replacement to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is employed in many disinfection procedures, including medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also used to purify drinking water and other liquids created in food processing.

It’s becoming more popular to disinfect air in residences in East Bernard. That’s since it can also eradicate frequent indoor contaminants like mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an added benefit for family members who suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma.

Uses for Germicidal UV Light in Your House

We install a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. Since the light is set within the ductwork, it makes it compatible with most heating and cooling systems. This also keeps its rays safely contained while delivering great purification for your house’s air.

Contaminated air is freshened in a two-step process, first moving through your air filter and then the UV light in advance of flowing across your residence. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t on, these lights still run to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort unit clean.

This whole-house solution is superior to a portable air purifier, which is restricted to cleaning the air in a single room. Portable air purifiers also can’t clean your ductwork or the inside of your HVAC unit. A clean HVAC system is usually a more efficient one that can even work for an extended period of time. And, some portable air purifiers have a bad reputation for making ozone.

When thinking over adding a germicidal lamp to your house, it’s essential to select one that doesn’t produce ozone. While ozone is great at eradicating odors and chemicals, it can also irritate your lungs and lead to other respiratory problems.

If you’re seeking approaches to clean your residence’s air, the indoor air quality professionals at E.B. Air, LLC can help. We offer a large range of options to help your loved ones breathe more easily. Contact us at 979-335-4262 to request a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate right away!