How can you best improve the quality of your indoor air? Well, there are a number of ways. First off, we want to start by telling you that your indoor air quality can actually be worse than that of the outdoors, so we’re glad you’re looking up ways to change that! We aren’t just talking about temperature, either, though that is what many homeowners think of when they hear the term indoor air quality.
Temperature is certainly not the only air quality problem you’ll face in your home, and definitely not the only factor to consider how healthy you are in your home. One way to ensure better indoor air quality and less health risk is by having UV germicidal lights installed in your ductwork. These systems are also referred to as UV lights or a UV air purifier. They work to eliminate harmful particles within your ducts—mold, mildew, and other microorganisms that can make you and your family sick.
How Do They Work?
Many people hear “UV germicidal lights” and think that they must be dangerous. After all, too much UV radiation is bad, right? Fortunately, the type of UV lighting used in this specific situation is completely harmless to people (and pets). In fact, you may have seen UV lighting in the form of “black lights” at concert venues or amusement parks.
Although UV lights are safe for us, they are not safe for biological pollutants. UV lights eliminate the DNA of biological contaminants and the life-sustaining proteins that keep them alive. Not only are these dangerous cells killed, but the UV lights prevent them from replicating. This means they’re effectively eradicated from your HVAC system and your home altogether. They do this from the comfort of your ductwork, where they also manage to remain unseen.
What Are the Benefits?
Okay so you get it—installing a UV germicidal light system removes mold from your ductwork. But… so what? What does this do for you?
- It significantly improves your indoor air quality. It likely goes without saying that mold is unhealthy, right? In addition to having a foul odor, it can seriously impact the health of your family—especially if anyone is compromised by allergies or asthma. Even the healthiest person can become ill if exposed to mold for too long.
- You’ll stop mold growth, since the UV lights have an anti-microbial effect. This means that in addition to getting rid of mold and mildew that’s already present, the purifier keeps mold spores from reproducing, completely eradicating the problem from your ductwork.
UV lights are not the only way to improve your indoor air quality! With the right air purifiers and cleaners installed in your home, you can safely eliminate a number of other components that irritate your health—dust, dirt, pet dander, and even cigarette smoke. Don’t just rely on your HVAC air filter—this is actually not powerful enough to really improve your indoor air quality, nor is that its main job.
