Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights: What’s Right for My Needs?
Indoor air quality is something to keep in mind for every home. If you lack the right air quality products, indoor air is frequently two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. But with so many air cleaning methods to choose from, how do you learn which one is ideal for your home and family? Here’s a comparison of two popular methods—air purifiers and UV lights.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers are built to enhance indoor air quality by filtering dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen from the air. Some also absorb odor-causing molecules for a pleasant scent. Air purifiers come in a portable form, which means they can only clean the air in one room at a time.
There are many types of air purifiers, such as mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, ozone generators, electronic air purifiers, and ionization systems. They all function a little differently, but the goal is the same—to filter out airborne substances. However, once allergens settle to the floor, purifiers can no longer catch and remove them.
One underlying side-effect with a number of air purifiers is that they produce ozone. Whether in its natural form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be hazardous to health. Breathing ozone hampers lung function and enhances the risk of throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and lung inflammation. This is an ironic side effect, because a homeowner would only install an air purifier to improve indoor air quality, not make it worse! Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instructions, homeowners are advised to use proven approaches of controlling indoor air pollution. These methods include phasing out or controlling pollutant sources, bolstering outdoor air ventilation and using any proven methods of air cleaning that doesn’t increase or generate ozone.
How Do UV Lights Work?
Ultraviolet-C (UVC) rays are the highest energy portion of the UV radiation spectrum. This type of light is called germicidal because it inactivates most viruses and eliminates bacteria and molds. UV lamps have been used as a sterilization method in hospitals and food production for many years. When placed in your HVAC system, UV lights can drastically improve indoor air quality.
The process is quite straightforward: an ultraviolet lamp is installed in your ventilation system, where it runs constantly. Every time the air conditioner or furnace activates, indoor air containing particles blows past the light. Airborne microorganisms are made sterile after just 10 seconds of contact, rendering them unable to reproduce until they die quickly after UVC exposure. It is encouraged that UV lights be used alongside both high efficiency filtration and ventilation equipment. All three work in tandem to give you the best, most pure indoor air for your home.
Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights – Which is Recommended?
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning encourages you to consider installing UV lights for enhanced indoor air quality. This solution can offer relief to anyone suffering from asthma and allergies, particularly in hot, humid settings where microorganisms thrive. Unlike air purifiers, UV lights can:
- Improve the air in your entire home
- Eradicate the majority of viruses, bacteria and mold
- Increase your HVAC system’s lifespan
- Minimize the likelihood of producing ozone
If you feel a UV germicidal light is beneficial for your home, speak with one of our indoor air quality technicians today. We can walk you through the best combination of systems based on your HVAC equipment and indoor air quality needs. Keep in mind, you should still use an HVAC air filtration system to trap dust, pollen and pet dander since UV lights won’t affect inanimate allergens. To learn more about different air cleaning methods, or to arrange a free home health consultation, call us at 954-736-4314 now!
