An air filtration system provides an effective first level of cleaning for your home’s indoor air. In combination with a high-efficiency filter, an air purifier removes many of the more common airborne particles and contaminants, including dust, mold, pollen and animal dander. Filters will also remove some microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, but their effectiveness in doing so will be limited. To add the missing link in your clean air strategy, you can add an ultraviolet (UV) light to your air filtration system.
UV light cannot be seen by the human eye, but is a powerful disinfectant. It’s so effective that the food industry uses it to sterilize preparation areas and medical professionals for sterilizing surgical instruments and operating rooms. Combining a high-efficiency air filter with germicidal UV lights will make your indoor air much cleaner than using a filter alone.
Exposure to UV light kills organic matter such as bacteria, germs, mold, viruses and other tiny living organisms. The light causes irreparable damage to the organism’s DNA. It usually takes only a few seconds of exposure to kill bacteria and related microorganisms.
UV purification systems are typically installed inside your forced-air furnace or air conditioner. As microorganisms travel along with the air and through the air purifier, they’re exposed to the UV light, which destroys them and removes them from your indoor air. To be effective, the microorganisms must be directly exposed to UV lights.
In other types of UV air purification systems, most bacteria and related contaminants are trapped in a high-efficiency filter. Air flowing through the filter and over the UV light activates a catalyst. This catalyst combines with water vapor in the air to create substances that kill other microorganisms and eliminate odors and chemical vapors.
For more than 30 years, Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc., has provided trustworthy heating and cooling services to Dayton and surrounding areas. Contact us today for information on UV lights and how they can be used to add another level of powerful cleaning for your home’s indoor air.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Ace Hardware Home Services services the Ohio’s Miami Valley. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!