Ultraviolet light can be a very useful weapon in the fight against indoor air pollutants. Hospitals, laboratories and even food processing use UV light to help keep their environments sterile, and your home can also benefit from UV germicidal irradiation.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. Furthermore, many people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, which means that polluted indoor air can have a major impact on their overall health.
Poor indoor air quality can worsen respiratory symptoms and difficulties for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Even for people without these conditions, poor air quality can contribute to headaches, sinus irritation, dizziness and fatigue. Long-term exposure to polluted air can contribute to even more serious health consequences down the road, including cancer, respiratory disease and cardiac disease.
UV Light Destroys Genetic Material in Microorganisms
UV light improves air quality by damaging the DNA and RNA of organic contaminants that like to invade indoor air. These contaminants include mold, mildew, spores, fungi, viruses and bacteria, and they can all pose problems if you breathe them in on a regular basis. When UV light damages their genetic material, these contaminants are destroyed or rendered harmless.
UV light systems in homes usually target evaporator coils or ductwork. Systems located near coils will help to destroy contaminants before they reach your indoor air, while UV light in ductwork targets particles that escape your air filter.
UV light Systems Partner With Your HVAC System
Mold, dust mites and other dangerous particles can accumulate on coils and drain pans, where they not only contaminate your air but may also interfere with your HVAC system. UV light systems that target this area can help to keep both your air and your HVAC equipment clean. As a result, UV light can help your HVAC system to run efficiently and offset some of the costs of running the UV system.
UV light systems situated in your home’s ductwork will neutralize harmful particles that have escaped your air filter. An excellent air filter will remove a significant percentage of contaminants from the air before they reach your living spaces, but UV light is a great way to eliminate any microorganisms that slip through the cracks.
Thank you for reading! If you would like to find out how our products and services can improve the indoor air quality in your home, please don’t hesitate to call us today.
