Understanding UV Air Purification
January 4th, 2021 | seoteam
When people think about air purification, the most common thing that comes to mind are the small portable air purifiers that you can place within your home, but there is another option that removes the need for multiple air purifiers or the hassle of moving one around your home. Whole-home air purification with UV lights in your HVAC system can give you cleaner air to breathe in your Davis home. Here’s how it works.
Benefits of UV Light
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation and has long been associated with negative impacts like sunburns and skin cancer. However, when used inside your HVAC system, the same properties that are harmful if you spend too much time on the beach can actually be beneficial. Inside your air ducts, UV lights can kill cells like mold, mildew, and germs, and in some cases may even help destroy bacteria and viruses before they spread through your air ducts.
UV Air Purification Basics
When you have an air purification system installed in your HVAC unit, air is pulled into the system and passes through an air filter first, then into a small internal chamber where it’s exposed to UV light to further purify it by killing anything the filter didn’t catch. It may pass through a second filter before going into your home.
UV-C Rays and Air Purification
Ultraviolet rays come on a spectrum, sub-classified into A, B, and C rays. Sunscreen offers “full-spectrum” coverage to protect against UV-A and UV-B, which can cause premature aging, wrinkles, sunburns, and skin damage. UV-C rays are actually more harmful than A or B rays, but Earth’s atmosphere blocks them from getting to us. However, they can be made artificially and are very effective at destroying cells when placed in air duct systems to kill off harmful organisms that might otherwise circulate through our homes. Since they are housed safely inside an air duct system, they won’t harm people who live in the house.
Who Should Consider UV Air Purification
Anyone who wants to breathe cleaner air should consider a UV air purifier inside your HVAC system, but it’s especially beneficial for families with someone who suffers from chronic respiratory issues caused or exacerbated by mold and mildew. UV light’s specialty is killing cells, so while it won’t help with things like pet dander or odors, it will keep mold spores and mildew at bay. It’s important to note that if your air ducts already have significant mold or mildew growth inside, they should be cleaned at the same time you have the UV air purification system installed.
Contact Sacramento Clean Air today to find out more about our UV air purification systems in Davis and whether they are the right choice in your home.
