Do UV Lights Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?

UV (ultraviolet) lights have been used for decades to disinfect food, water, and air in food-processing plants, hospitals, water treatment facilities, schools, commercial buildings, and more. UV technology is also available for residential purposes to enhance indoor air quality in homes. Read on to learn how UV lights can help you breathe easier and healthier in your San Diego area home.

How UV Lights Improve Indoor Air Quality

UV light systems emit low levels of ultraviolet radiation to kill or control a host of germs, house mold, bacteria, and viruses. UV systems accomplish this by altering the cell structure of microorganisms which renders them unable to reproduce.

While outdoor air is cleansed by the sun and vegetation, the indoor air of many households is sealed up to save energy and becomes a stuffy breeding ground for harmful contaminants. A proactive approach to clean indoor air is necessary if you want healthful air to breathe in your home.

UV Light Installation & Maintenance

UV light systems consist of one to three UV light bulbs that are installed inside the air ducts. The best location for UV lights is near the evaporator coil. The evaporator produces a large amount of condensate. The moisture and darkness provide ideal conditions for the growth of mold, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

For the best results, install one UV light inside the A-frame type evaporator and two bulbs on the exterior tubing of the evaporator. As airflow streams through the tubing, it is disinfected by the lights. Additionally, UV light systems protect supply ducts from contamination, which helps prevent odors and re-contamination to the living spaces.

Installation only takes an hour or two. Since the lights are completely concealed inside the air ducts, they won’t harm people or pets. Maintenance is as simple as changing the bulbs every two or three years, which can be performed during HVAC preventive maintenance.