How Do UVC Air Purifiers Work?

September 08, 2020

You probably know that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) is to blame for your painful sunburn. But were you aware that another kind of ultraviolet light can be useful for keeping your home’s air clean?

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

There’s another concentration of UV light, called UVC. While full exposure to this ultraviolet light is harmful for your skin or eyes, it can safely be applied to disinfect air, water and various surfaces.

Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning uses this light in a few of our products to enhance air filtration in Arlington homes.

Applications for Ultraviolet Light

This specific wavelength is referred to as “germicidal” because it kills the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens pass through this light, they eventually cease to exist because they can’t reproduce.

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

It’s growing in popularity to purify air in houses in Arlington. That’s due to the fact it can also eradicate common indoor contaminants including mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an additional advantage for family members who suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma.

How to Use Germicidal UV Light in Your Residence

We install a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. Since the light is installed within the ductwork, it makes it compatible with many heating and cooling equipment. This also keeps its beams securely contained while delivering powerful disinfection for your home’s air.

Dirty air is cleaned in a two-step process, first moving through your air filter and then the UV light in advance of spreading across your residence. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t operating, these lights still function to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort system clean.

This whole-house solution is superior to a portable air purifier, which is restricted to cleaning the air in a lone space. Portable air purifiers also can’t purify your ductwork or the interior of your HVAC equipment. A clean HVAC system is usually a more efficient one that can even last for a longer life span. And, the majority of portable air purifiers are known for making ozone.

When considering buying a germicidal lamp for your home, it’s essential to buy one that doesn’t produce ozone. While ozone is great at wiping out odors and chemicals, it may also irritate your lungs and lead to other respiratory issues.

If you’re trying to find methods to purify your residence’s air, the indoor air quality professionals at Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning can help. We have a wide range of solutions to help your loved ones breathe better. Contact us at 360-255-5857 to set up a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate now!