Are UV lights a safe and effective way to improve indoor air quality? The answer is yes, if they are properly installed and use the correct spectrum of UV light. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that conditions are right and that the installation is properly completed by a qualified HVAC technician. Ultraviolet (UV) lights for air conditioning systems work by eliminating bacteria, microorganisms, and mold to keep indoor air clean and safe. UV radiation has a higher frequency than visible light, and higher frequency UV light has enough energy to destroy the DNA of bacteria and other microorganisms, killing them and disinfecting the air.
Studies on UV lights in air conditioning systems have yielded significant results, with one study finding that UV lights could reduce the amount of mold and bacteria in a test home by 97%, and another showing that air purifiers with UV light could reduce the amount of airborne flu virus by 90%. When installing a UV light system, it is important to plug it into a nearby power outlet with an extension cord with the appropriate rating. This means that when the boiler or central air conditioning system blows air through the house, the UV light will turn on when there is no air circulating and turn off to save energy. HVAC UV light systems use a special type of high-frequency, low-wavelength UV light called UV-C to destroy the nucleic acids that form the DNA of harmful bacteria that are transmitted through the air and to disinfect the air as it passes through the system.
It is important to note that working with UV lights can be dangerous, so it is best to hire a professional to install them or take some safety precautions if you decide to do it yourself. Be sure to check and recheck the instructions that came with the UV lamp before you start drilling. If you mount it this way, the UV light will clean the air in your oven and your central air system, if you have one. Additionally, if you are exposed to UV light and experience sensitivity to light, pain, or redness experts recommend that you don't self-medicate and go to a professional.
It is also important to remember that it doesn't make sense to install an HVAC UV lamp unless you've followed indoor air quality priorities. Filters need to be replaced more often than bulbs in a UV light system, making them difficult to maintain and reducing their effectiveness if you forget to change them. Finally, it is extremely important to ensure that it is impossible to see the UV lamp once it is installed in the air conditioning system. In conclusion, HVAC UV lights are an effective means of improving indoor air quality when installed correctly and used in conjunction with other indoor air quality priorities.
