As a homeowner, you may be surprised to see just how many different kinds of indoor air quality products are available for your property. And one may stand out, just because it’s somewhat different: UV germicidal lights, also known as ultraviolet lights. How are UV lights different, and why should you consider using them? Let’s take a look.
How They Work
You may have heard that biological contaminants are tough little organisms to trap, and this can be true. Why are they so slippery? Because they are very small particles, much smaller than dust, dander or other indoor contaminants. This can make them harder to trap. UV lights don’t trap anything; instead, they radiate these organisms when they come into contact with the light, destroying both the cell’s DNA and the cell’s life-sustaining proteins. This process eradicates the biological contaminants, eliminating them completely.
What Other Ways Are UV Lights Different?
As illustrated above, UV lights handle contaminants very differently from other air purifiers, but there are some other important differences to note as well:
- UV lights are stationary – UV lights do not move. They are strategically positioned during installation to provide the best coverage. Typical locations include over your evaporator coils and inside your ductwork.
- UV lights do not draw contaminants to them – unlike other air purifiers that use different means of attraction, UV lights do not draw contaminants in; this means that organisms must pass underneath the light in order to be affected.
- UV lights work only on biological contaminants – UV lights will not remove or eradicate contaminants like dust or pollen; they are strictly used to handle biological material.
The best way to utilize UV lighting is in conjunction with another IAQ product, such as an air filter. This gives your home two products that work to clean the air, maximizing the benefits each has to offer. Call the experts at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today and schedule an appointment for your home in Blue Bell, PA!