Considering Improving IAQ by Using UV Lights? Here’s What You Need to Know

The typical American residence, no matter how clean the surfaces, is full of airborne pollutants that can aggravate asthma, trigger allergies and cause a host of other respiratory problems. Among those pollutants: mold spores, pollen, pet dander, insect particles, fungus, bacteria and viruses.

Mechanical air filtration, which is achieved best by using a good quality, pleated air filter in the HVAC system, can help with some of these. But another helpful tactic to use against the microorganisms is UV lights.

What Are UV Lights?

Ultraviolet lighting has been used for many decades in industry, research and hospital settings as a means of sterilizing organisms such as mold, bacteria and viruses. Homeowners in recent years have been discovering the benefits of installing these lights in HVAC systems to treat mold problems that break out when conditions are excessively moist in the home.

Ultraviolet lights are focused on the evaporator coils, where condensation often results in mold and mildew, and in the air ducts to treat the air as it passes through the system. UV light kills the organisms by penetrating cell walls and breaking down the DNA, so that the organism cannot reproduce.

The UV treatment prevents the microorganisms that might be drawn into the HVAC system, or that might be reproducing as mold spores inside the unit, from being recirculated in the home’s air supply.

Should You Install UV Lighting?

Ultraviolet light air cleaners are not cheap to install, but in many cases, they have been of proven benefit in improving indoor air quality and diminishing the respiratory issues of the home’s occupants. They are also useful for diminishing mold, mildew and fungus that might be causing unpleasant odors in the home and in the HVAC system.

UV light bulbs should be changed annually, as the bulbs work best when they are at full force, so when discussing this installation with an HVAC contractor, you will want to talk about the approximate price of this maintenance.

To learn more about UV lights, contact C.R. Wolfe Heating and Air Conditioning. We serve Middletown and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.

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