More people are spending time at home than ever, with working from home becoming increasingly common. This shift to spending time at home has led to an increased interest in indoor air quality and air purification systems.
One of the simplest ways to improve your air quality is to install UV lights in your system. There are many HVAC UV light benefits, with the main one being that you’ll have much higher indoor air quality, which will affect many other facets of your life.
What Does UV Light Do?
Ultraviolet light damages DNA. It’s why it causes sunburns and skin damage and why it’s so effective at killing bacteria, mold, and even viruses quickly and efficiently.
Hospitals have used UV lights for decades to keep surgical instruments and operating rooms sterile. UV lights are a vital component in wards and areas where bacteria can cause untold harm. Since they can inactivate anything with DNA, UV lights are excellent at killing all known pathogens, including viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
The Benefits
There are many ways to keep your indoor air clean and purified. What makes HVAC UV light benefits so special is that they combine the functionality of several air purifying systems. Instead of worrying about mechanical, chemical, and biological filters, you can have a one-stop solution that will offer improved air quality for minimal effort.
Your HVAC ducts are a great breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Mold, in particular, loves warm, damp places where it can grow and start producing spores. Most allergies are due to mold spores, which irritate the nose, throat, and lungs. Spores can set off asthma attacks and can even cause a general unpleasant malaise.
Reduce Allergies and Illness
Regular duct cleaning and maintenance can reduce the severity of mold spores in your indoor air, but you may struggle to get into all the coils and tight spaces in the system. It’s why every HVAC system comes with an air filter that catches most particles before they enter your home.
However, air filters often get blocked, which results in more spores and mold in the system. Having strategically placed UV lights can dramatically decrease mold and bacteria in your HVAC system and ductwork. This reduction will lead to much higher indoor air purity and a reduced chance of allergies and illness.
Eliminate Odors
Some of the most common contaminants found in indoor air are volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These compounds are strong-smelling and can be harmful if inhaled regularly. UV lights can break down these VOCs, reducing their impact on your health.
Another common cause of foul odors is mold growth. By removing the source of these odors, you’ll have much better smelling air to enjoy at home.
Improve Airflow
As UV lights help reduce the contaminants in your HVAC system, they also improve airflow. You’ll find that you need to replace your air filters less often and that there’s less nasty build-up in your ducts. Improved airflow means more even heating and cooling throughout the house, making it more comfortable and keeping your HVAC system running effectively.
Improve HVAC Efficiency
Your HVAC system has to work very hard to keep air flowing through the system while also ensuring that it’s the right temperature. Anything that interferes with airflow reduces the effectiveness of the entire system. Clogged filters are a usual culprit of ever-increasing HVAC costs.
One of the biggest HVAC UV light benefits is that there is less debris in the system, which results in better airflow and better efficiency. Not only does a more efficient HVAC system cost you less in energy bills, but it also reduces the amount of wear and tear on the system.
An optimally running HVAC system will require less maintenance and have a longer lifespan than one that’s constantly clogged with mold, dust, and other contaminants.
Installing Lights in Your HVAC Unit
There are two main places where you can install HVAC lights in your HVAC system: in the indoor coil and the ductwork.
The coil in the indoor air handler is a great place for bacteria and mold to grow. The constant condensation creates a humid atmosphere, while the coil itself is hard to reach and clean. UV lights placed above the coil can dramatically reduce bacterial and mold growth on the coil, leading to increased effectiveness and better quality air.
Ductwork UV lights target the air inside your ductwork. Since the ductwork transports air all around your home, targeting airborne pathogens can make a huge difference in air quality. These lights will usually sit throughout the return ducts and are wired to the blower motor. The connection between the UV lights and the motor ensures that the lights only turn on when the motor blows, saving money while still providing effective results.
The Drawbacks of HVAC UV Lights
UV lights have surprisingly few drawbacks and make an excellent addition to any HVAC installation. The largest drawback is that UV lights will eventually need replacing. In general, germicidal lamps have an average lifespan of between 5,000 and 9,000 hours, but their germicidal power decreases over time. You can expect to change out your UV bulbs every 12 months with normal HVAC use.
Work with the Professionals
If you like the idea of reaping HVAC UV light benefits, get in touch with Rock Valley HVAC. We’ve worked with hundreds of residential and commercial clients to provide clean and safe indoor air. Our team is always happy to chat about ways to improve your air quality, including UV lights.
To find out more about installing UV lights in your HVAC system, or about HVAC systems in general, give Rock Valley HVAC a call at (608) 496-9988 today!
