Healthy indoor air is important to your overall health, and with the winter months coming, you may have additional concerns about biological contaminants. While an air filtration system can capture a number of contaminants in your home, it may not be able to capture the biological contaminants you want it to. This is because biological microbes are very small particles; many of them are smaller than 0.3 micrometers, which is the smallest size an air filter can capture. But there is a solution when it comes to biological contaminants: UV germicidal lights. UV germicidal lights are geared to specifically target biological contaminants, and when combined with an air filtration system, you can have a great air cleaning combination for your home. Want to find out more? Read below, and then schedule an appointment with a Downtown Air & Heat indoor air quality expert!
How Do UV Lights Work?
UV lights emit UV-C radiation. This type of radiation destroys the DNA of biological cells as well as their life-sustaining proteins. This results in two things: first, the cell cannot replicate and second, the cell cannot sustain life. As such, not only do UV lights kill existing cells, they eradicate them. UV germicidal lights are over 99% effective at destroying biological contaminants.
There are a couple of things to note about UV lights. First, they do not draw particles to them. Contaminants need to come within reach of the radiation to be affected. Second, UV lights do not capture or trap particles, so contaminants like dust, dirt and pollen are not affected by UV lights. This is why it’s recommended that UV lights are paired with an air filter or electronic cleaner.
How Are UV Lights Installed?
Placement of UV lights is pretty flexible, but recommended areas are within the ductwork and over the evaporator coils. This is because these areas are more prone to the development of growth such as mold and mildew.
Do They Need to Be Replaced?
UV lights have a lifespan of about 12 months, so they should be replaced annually to ensure they are effective.
When you pair UV lighting with your air cleaner, you and your home can see significant benefits for your indoor air quality. Call Downtown Air & Heat to schedule air cleaner services in Orlando, FL today!
