In 1903, Niels Finsen won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his use of ultraviolet light in the treatment of tuberculosis. Since then, ultraviolet lights have been widely adapted for all kinds of uses: sterilizing hospitals, sterilizing water, germicidal lamps in food establishments, and even curing nail polish faster. If UV light is so effective, how can it be applied to improving indoor air quality for residential HVAC systems? Will it kill mold and bacteria in HVAC systems? Yes, but you need to understand the priorities of indoor air quality and the types of UV lights available for residential HVAC systems. About 2 years ago, we installed a 19 SEER Lennox XC 21 air conditioner. During our most recent AC service, the technician also installed a TopTech HVAC UV light inside the air handler, which remains turned on 24/7. According to the technician from Engineered Air, HVAC UV lights are very effective at controlling mold inside the air handler. All mold in line-of-sight of the UV bulb will be killed, keeping the coil mold-free.

He also mentioned that several clients with respiratory problems are even able to tell if the UV bulb has burned-out due to reduced air quality. I’ll let you know if I am able to tell. There are two types of UV lights for HAVC systems. Two studies point to the effectiveness of UV light in killing mold and bacteria, one in hospitals and the other in a commercial HVAC system. The TopTech UV stick light bulb is estimated to last 9000 hours, just over 1 year. Replacement bulbs cost about $70. Replace the bulb during each annual HVAC service and maintenance is nearly effortless. The TopTech UV light we installed is rated at 1.1 amps. To calculate annual energy costs, I used these handy calculators For just under $100 per year ($24 electricity + $70 replacement bulb), my family has peace-of-mind knowing that we are breathing the highest-quality indoor air. It seems like a small price to pay. But it doesn’t make sense to install an HVAC UV light unless you’ve followed the indoor air quality priorities.

While HVAC UV lights are effective for killing mold, bacteria, germs and odors, make sure you have completed the indoor air quality basics: HVAC UV lights are an effective means for improving indoor air quality, but only after following the indoor air quality priorities. Install an HVAC UV light and experience healthier indoor air quality.UV Air Purifier Guide Share this page with others: Ultraviolet (UV) light is a form of radiation with very short wavelengths—too short to be perceived by the human eye. This form of energy is called "ultraviolet" because it has shorter wavelengths than violet light, which has the shortest waves of any kind of visible light. Although UV radiation can be dangerous, and you can often hear reports about the dangers of UV rays coming from the sun, ultraviolet light is not always detrimental to humans and has a variety of uses. Some air purifiers include specialized lights that produce ultraviolet rays as a way to kill living pollutants.

UV Lights in Air Purifiers: How They Work Unlike filters, which collect pollutants as they pass through the purifier, the purpose of ultraviolet lights in air cleaners is more specific: they are meant to kill organic matter, such as bacteria, mold, and viruses. Thus the Environmental Protection Agency refers to air purifiers that use UV lights as "Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Cleaners," the term "germicidal" meaning "germ-killing."Sonax Car Ac Cleaner The principle behind UV air purifiers is fairly simple: UV radiation in sufficient doses is deadly to many living things, including some that are common constituents of indoor air pollution. Ugk T ShirtsWhen these objects pass through the purifier, they are exposed to the UV radiation released by the light, and as a result, according to makers of UV purifiers, they are destroyed. Houses For Sale Ballybunion Ireland

This is said to neutralize the damage such pollutants cause. It should be evident from this description that UV lights target only one kind of indoor air pollution. They do nothing at all to prevent many other common types of pollution, such as gaseous Volatile Organic Compounds or particles such as dust. However, most air purifiers that use UV lights do so as a secondary feature, complementing other methods of air purification such as HEPA filters. EPA Studies - Effectiveness of UV Air Purifiers Based on the available test information, the actual success rate of UV purifiers is mixed. According to the EPA's official guide on indoor air cleaners, well-designed ultraviolet air cleaners are able to: "[Air purifiers] reduce the viability of vegetative bacteria and molds and to provide low to moderate reductions in viruses but little, if any, reduction in bacterial and mold spores." - United States Environmental Protection Agency (August 2009) Factors Influencing UV Air Purifier Effectiveness

It also states that various factors influence the effectiveness of UV purifiers, including System design and application Microorganism targeted for deactivation. Thus not all UV air purifiers are the same, and UV lights will be more or less useful depending on the environment they are placed in. Furthermore, tests have shown that UV cleaning alone does not reduce dust mite problems or allergic reactions to mold—the latter because mold is still dangerous to humans even if it is dead. The Environmental Protection Agency states that the only solution to mold is to have it removed. Ultimately, the EPA declares that further testing is necessary in order to better understand just how useful ultraviolet air cleaners really are. Conclusion - Ultraviolet Air Purification Effectiveness Well designed ultraviolet air purification systems can reduce vegetative bacteria, molds, and some viruses Little if any reduction in bacteria or mold spores Ineffective against particles like dust or dust mites