Is UV Light for My AC or Furnace Worth It?

September 08, 2020

You likely are aware that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) results in painful sunburn. But did you realize that another variety of ultraviolet light can be useful for keeping your residence’s air clean?

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

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

North Mechanical Heating and Cooling uses this light in several of our solutions to enhance air filtration in Payson homes.

What is an Ultraviolet Light Used For?

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

This makes UVC light a potent alternative to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is used in a lot of disinfection uses, such as medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also employed to clean drinking water and other liquids created in food processing.

It’s growing in popularity to purify air in houses in Payson. That’s due to the fact it can also eradicate typical indoor contaminants like mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an additional benefit if someone in your household has seasonal allergies or asthma.

Having Germicidal UV Light in Your House

We place a germicidal UV light in your HVAC system’s ductwork. As the light is installed inside the ductwork, it makes it compatible with most heating and cooling units. This also keeps its light carefully confined while giving powerful disinfection for your residence’s air.

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

This whole-house product is superior to a portable air purifier, which is restricted to cleaning the air in one area. Portable air purifiers also can’t clean your ductwork or the inside of your HVAC system. A clean HVAC system is usually a more efficient one that may even work for an extended period of time. And, many portable air purifiers are notorious for producing ozone.

When considering adding a germicidal lamp to your house, it’s important to look for one that doesn’t create ozone. While ozone is good at wiping out odors and chemicals, it may also irritate your lungs and cause other respiratory issues.

If you’re seeking approaches to freshen your house’s air, the indoor air quality pros at North Mechanical Heating and Cooling can help. We sell a wide range of options to help your family breathe easier. Contact us at 928-263-8570 to schedule a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate right away!