Do UVC Air Purifiers Work?

September 08, 2020

Perhaps you realize that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) causes painful sunburn. But were you aware that a different type of ultraviolet light can be installed to keep your home’s air clean?

The sun gives off two types of damaging UV rays, UVA and UVB. These harmful rays can lead to sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

There’s another kind of UV light, known as UVC. While unprotected exposure to this ultraviolet light is bad for your skin or eyes, it can safely be applied to clean air, water and some surfaces.

J.L. Brady Company LLC uses this light in some of our solutions to better air filtration in Moline residences.

How Ultraviolet Light is Used

This distinct wavelength is called “germicidal” because it wipes out the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens move through this light, they eventually cease to exist as they can’t multiply.

This makes UVC light a strong replacement to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is used in many disinfection uses, such as medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also applied to sterilize drinking water and other liquids produced in food processing.

It’s growing in popularity to disinfect air in residences in Moline. That’s due to the fact it can also eradicate common indoor contaminants including mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an additional benefit if someone in your household has seasonal allergies or asthma.

How to Use Germicidal UV Light in Your House

We place a germicidal UV light in your HVAC system’s ductwork. Since the light is placed inside the ductwork, it makes it compatible with many heating and cooling systems. This also keeps its rays carefully contained while providing strong disinfection for your home’s air.

Contaminated air is freshened in a two-step process, first traveling through your air filter and then the UV light before flowing around your residence. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t running, these lights still run to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort unit clean.

This whole-house option is greater than a portable air purifier, which can only clean the air in one space. Portable air purifiers also can’t clean your ductwork or the interior of your HVAC system. A clean HVAC system is often a more efficient one that can even run longer. And, some portable air purifiers are known for producing ozone.

When thinking over adding a germicidal lamp to your house, it’s essential to buy one that doesn’t make ozone. While ozone is fantastic at wiping out odors and chemicals, it can also irritate your lungs and lead to other respiratory problems.

If you’re trying to find methods to clean your residence’s air, the indoor air quality experts at J.L. Brady Company LLC can help. We have a large range of products to help your household breathe better. Contact us at 309-517-7511 to schedule a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate now!