Is UV Light for My AC or Furnace Worth It?

September 08, 2020

You probably know that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) results in painful sunburn. But did you know that another variety 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 dangerous rays can lead to sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles and other kinds of premature aging.

There’s another type of UV light, referred to as UVC. While direct exposure to this ultraviolet light is bad for your skin or eyes, it can safely be applied to purify air, water and certain surfaces.

Age Heating & Cooling uses this light in some of our solutions to boost air filtration in Sandpoint houses.

What is an Ultraviolet Light Used For?

This distinct wavelength is classified as “germicidal” as it destroys the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens pass through this light, they eventually perish because they can’t reproduce.

This makes UVC light a strong replacement to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is employed in many disinfection procedures, such as medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also applied to sterilize drinking water and other liquids produced in food processing.

It’s growing in popularity to disinfect air in houses in Sandpoint. That’s due to the fact it can also eradicate frequent indoor contaminants including mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an extra advantage if someone in your household has seasonal allergies or asthma.

Uses for Germicidal UV Light in Your Residence

We place a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. Because the light is installed within the ductwork, it makes it compatible with most heating and cooling systems. This also keeps its beams carefully confined while providing powerful 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 moving around your residence. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t on, these lights still work to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort unit clean.

This whole-house solution is superior to a portable air purifier, which is limited to cleaning the air in one space. Portable air purifiers also can’t freshen your ductwork or the inside of your HVAC equipment. A clean HVAC system is usually a more efficient one that may even work longer. And, the majority of portable air purifiers have a bad reputation for producing ozone.

When thinking about adding a germicidal lamp to your residence, it’s critical to get one that doesn’t produce ozone. While ozone is great at wiping out odors and chemicals, it may also irritate your lungs and lead to other respiratory symptoms.

If you’re looking for approaches to purify your home’s air, the indoor air quality professionals at Age Heating & Cooling can help. We offer a large range of options to help your family breathe better. Contact us at 208-578-4258 to request a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate right away!