You likely are aware that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) is to blame for your painful sunburn. But were you aware that another kind of ultraviolet light can be used to keep your residence’s air clean?
The sun emits two types of damaging UV rays, UVA and UVB. These damaging rays can result in sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.
There’s another concentration of UV light, referred to as UVC. While unprotected exposure to this ultraviolet light isn’t good for your skin or eyes, it can safely be used to disinfect air, water and some surfaces.
Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling uses this light in several of our systems to boost air filtration in Des Moines residences.
Applications for Ultraviolet Light
This specific wavelength is referred to as “germicidal” since it eradicates the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens move through this light, they eventually perish because they can’t reproduce.
This makes UVC light a powerful substitute to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is employed in a lot of disinfection applications, like medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also employed to clean drinking water and other liquids made in food processing.
It’s becoming more popular to freshen air in homes in Des Moines. That’s because it can also eliminate frequent 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 House
We place a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. As the light is placed within the ductwork, it makes it compatible with many heating and cooling units. This also keeps its beams carefully confined while giving strong cleaning for your home’s air.
Filthy air is cleaned in a two-step process, first moving through your air filter and then the UV light in advance of flowing throughout your home. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t on, these lights still run to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort equipment clean.
This whole-house option is superior to a portable air purifier, which is restricted to cleaning the air in a lone area. Portable air purifiers also can’t freshen your ductwork or the interior of your HVAC system. A clean HVAC system is typically a more efficient one that could even operate for a longer life span. And, many portable air purifiers have a bad reputation for producing ozone.
When thinking about adding a germicidal lamp to your house, it’s important to look for one that doesn’t create ozone. While ozone is fantastic at eradicating odors and chemicals, it may also irritate your lungs and cause other respiratory troubles.
If you’re seeking ways to purify your house’s air, the indoor air quality professionals at Kohles & Bach Heating & Cooling can help. We sell a wide range of solutions to help your loved ones breathe easier. Contact us at 515-207-6569 to schedule a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate today!