UV lights purify the circulating air within a house by killing bacteria and pollutants such as mold, mildew, fungi, and viruses. These UV lights are not a cure-all, but they significantly improve air quality in your home and can reduce allergens which can be critical for people suffering from respiratory illnesses like asthma, for example.
Most Americans, especially since COVID-19, have been spending more and more time at home. Ultravation UV lamps are a leading factor that can contribute to improved health and wellness for all members of a household. UV lights will funnel clean air through the ductwork of your HVAC UV-C system purifying the air that you breathe.
What Is Ultraviolet Radiation?
Electromagnetic radiation naturally comes from the sun, but technology has enabled us to recreate a form of UVR (ultraviolet radiation) that is popularly used in welding, tanning beds, and UV lights. UVRs are invisible to the naked eye.
Within the light spectrum, UV lights are separated according to levels measured by their range from 0nm (nanometres-billionths of a meter) to 400 nm: UV-A, UV-B, UV-C, and UV-D. It is the UV-C section of the spectrum ranging from 280 to 200 nm which is highly effective in killing harmful bacteria and is currently found in many HVAC UV-C systems because of its germicidal properties.
How Do UV Lamps Work?
UV lamps create artificial UV light that then can be used in a variety of ways, such as sterilizing or purifying areas. They are different from regular lamps because they are often made of quartz and contain gas mixed with mercury; this means that when the lamp is plugged in or turned on, the electricity reacts to the mercury within the lamp.
It is noteworthy that only UV-C lights are calibrated to a germ-killing wavelength (280 to 200 nm). Ultravation UV lamps for HVAC units have a unique germ-fighting capability.
How UV Lamps Are Used in HVAC Systems
Blackhawk Supply have already outlined thus far, contamination in an HVAC system is quite widespread. However, the usage of UV lights inside residential HVAC units is not as common. It is important to think about getting or retrofitting an HVAC system with UV-C because of the health risks associated with contaminated systems such as viral and bacterial infections, allergic reactions, and issues for people suffering from asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
Air sterilizations are also known as in-duct UVC systems. This method allows UV-C lights within an HVAC unit to disinfect the air as it cycles through the ducts. UV lamps are often installed inside an air handler situated near the filter rack and the cooling coil of an HVAC unit. The purpose of the placement of the UV lamp is to ensure that the drain pan and the coil remain clean to prevent contaminated air from being released out of the HVAC system.
What Types of UV HVAC Systems Are There?
There are two types of HVAC systems that incorporate UV light installations: coil sterilization and air sterilization.
In a coil sterilization HVAC system, the UV-C lamps are installed near the cooling coils, filters, and condensation pans, areas within an HVAC that are prone to problems when it comes to contamination.
In an air sterilization system, the UV-C lights are installed inside the ductwork to filter and disinfect the circulating air to prevent contaminated air from being released from the ducts.
Coil sterilization systems are a smart and cost-effective way to use UV in your HVAC unit by keeping the coils clean whilst the air sterilization method helps eliminate pathogens in the air by using UV in your HVAC unit.
How Much Will a UV HVAC System Cost You?
The cost of adding air sanitizing UV-C lights to your HVAC unit will depend on two factors: the cost of the UV light and the cost of installation. In both airs sanitizing and coil sanitizing systems, an additional energy cost must be considered.
Before you make the decision, you must consider your needs and match them to the costs and weigh whether this type of HVAC system would be useful for your household. Maintenance and bulb replacements should also be considered, but the latter can be done during your yearly HVAC unit’s maintenance and added to that cost.
Conclusion
All in all, when deciding whether your household needs an HVAC unit equipped with UV-C light, Blackhawk Supply sure you must consider the costs, but you should also consider all the health benefits that are connected to it.
Clean air is not a luxury, but rather a necessity — especially if someone in your household suffers from respiratory issues or if you have children or elderly people in your home. Everyone benefits from clean air. Please don’t hesitate to contact us, we are a trusted HVAC supplies shop, and we are ready to help your household breathe a sigh of relief.
