An indoor air-filtration system with a high-efficiency filter can be very effective for improving the air quality of your indoor environment. Such a system removes many types of airborne particles and other contaminants, including dust, mold, pollen, pet dander and smoke. A standard home air-purification system also can remove microorganisms such as bacteria and germs.
However, if you’re looking for even more protection against these microscopic, but potentially harmful creatures, an ultraviolet (UV) light is a good addition.
UV light cannot be seen by the naked eye, but it is a very powerful disinfectant. It is so effective that people in the food industry use it to sterilize preparation areas, and by the medical industry uses it for sterilizing surgical instruments and operating-room environments. The combination of a high-efficiency filter and UV lights will make your indoor air much cleaner than just a filter alone.
Exposure to UV light kills bacteria, germs, mold, viruses and other tiny living organisms by causing damage to the organism’s DNA. At the microscopic level, it usually takes only a few seconds of exposure to kill bacteria and related microorganisms.
There are two types of UV light systems that you can use:
- You can install UV lights directly in the air-flow path of your forced-air furnace or air conditioning. As microorganisms flow through with your conditioned air, the UV light shines on them, which destroys them. To be effective, the UV light must make direct contact with the microorganisms.
- You can use a UV air-purification systems that traps most bacteria and related contaminants in a high-efficiency filter. Air flowing through the filter and over the UV light activates a catalyst. Reactions between the catalyst and water vapor in the air create substances that kill other organic compounds in the air flow, which eliminates additional microorganisms, odors and chemical vapors.
For more information about adding a disinfecting ultraviolet light to your air-filtration system, contact the professionals at Jackson & Sons, Inc. We have been proudly serving residential and commercial customers in Eastern North Carolina since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about indoor air quality and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Jackson & Sons services most of eastern North Carolina including Wayne, Johnston, Greene, Lenoir, and Duplin Counties. Visit our website to see our special offersand get started today!
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