Do UVC Air Purifiers Work?

September 08, 2020

Perhaps you realize that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) is to blame for your painful sunburn. But did you realize that another variety of ultraviolet light can be useful for keeping your house’s air clean?

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

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

James Heating & A/C, Inc uses this light in several of our solutions to better air filtration in Lexington houses.

Applications for Ultraviolet Light

This distinct wavelength is classified as “germicidal” as it kills the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens travel through this light, they eventually cease to exist as they can’t spread.

This makes UVC light a powerful substitute to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is employed in lots of disinfection applications, such as medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also used to sterilize drinking water and other liquids created in food processing.

It’s becoming a popular choice to purify air in homes in Lexington. That’s since it can also eradicate common indoor contaminants including mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an additional perk for loved ones who deal with seasonal allergies or asthma.

Uses for Germicidal UV Light in Your Home

We place a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. As the light is set inside the ductwork, it makes it compatible with most heating and cooling equipment. This also keeps its light securely housed while giving powerful purification for your house’s air.

Filthy air is cleaned in a two-step process, first traveling through your air filter and then the UV light before circulating across your residence. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t operating, these lights still run to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort equipment clean.

This whole-house product is superior to a portable air purifier, which is restricted to cleaning the air in one room. Portable air purifiers also can’t clean your ductwork or the innerworkings of your HVAC system. A clean HVAC system is often a more efficient one that could even work longer. And, many portable air purifiers have a bad reputation for making ozone.

When thinking about getting a germicidal lamp for your house, it’s critical to get one that doesn’t produce ozone. While ozone is good at eradicating odors and chemicals, it may also irritate your lungs and cause other respiratory issues.

If you’re seeking approaches to clean your house’s air, the indoor air quality experts at James Heating & A/C, Inc can help. We sell a broad range of solutions to help your family breathe more easily. Contact us at 336-853-6070 to request a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate today!