Is UV Light for My AC or Furnace Worth It?

September 08, 2020

You likely are aware that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) is to blame for your painful sunburn. But were you aware that a different type of ultraviolet light can be used to keep your residence’s air clean?

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

There’s another variety of UV light, referred to as UVC. While direct exposure to this ultraviolet light is bad for your skin or eyes, it can safely be utilized to purify air, water and certain surfaces.

Patterson & Stirling Inc uses this light in some of our systems to boost air filtration in Erie residences.

How Ultraviolet Light is Used

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

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

It’s becoming more popular to freshen air in residences in Erie. That’s due to the fact it can also eradicate common indoor contaminants like mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an additional benefit if someone in your household has seasonal allergies or asthma.

Installing Germicidal UV Light in Your House

We install a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. Since the light is set in the ductwork, it makes it compatible with many heating and cooling equipment. This also keeps its light safely confined while providing strong purification for your home’s air.

Filthy air is cleaned in a two-step process, first flowing through your air filter and then the UV light prior to flowing across your house. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t on, these lights still operate to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort equipment clean.

This whole-house solution is superior to a portable air purifier, which is limited to cleaning the air in one area. Portable air purifiers also can’t freshen your ductwork or the inside of your HVAC equipment. A clean HVAC system is usually a more efficient one that could even run for a longer life span. And, some portable air purifiers are known for creating ozone.

When thinking about getting a germicidal lamp for your residence, it’s essential to buy one that doesn’t make ozone. While ozone is great at eliminating odors and chemicals, it could also irritate your lungs and cause other respiratory troubles.

If you’re looking for approaches to clean your home’s air, the indoor air quality experts at Patterson & Stirling Inc can help. We have a large range of solutions to help your household breathe better. Contact us at 814-308-0416 to request a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate right away!