September 01, 2020
With how much time we spend in our homes, it is important to make sure that we’re breathing in clean air. Poor air quality can exacerbate allergies or even lead to breathing or lung problems. If you are like most homeowners, you are probably searching for the best solution to improve the air quality in your house to protect yourself and the other members of your household.
The big question you are probably wondering is what is the best way to improve the air quality in your residence? Perhaps you have tried purchasing standalone air filters, vacuuming your carpets regularly, or even purchasing some indoor plants to help keep the air in your house fresh. While these measures may help to improve the air quality in individual rooms of your home, they likely will not improve the air quality in your entire residence.
Many homeowners are beginning to use UV lights with their home’s HVAC systems to help improve the quality of the air in their houses. If you have been considering adding UV lights to your HVAC system but are unsure exactly how they work and whether they are worth the investment, you’ve come to the right place. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about using UV lights to improve air quality to help you learn more about this technology and decide if it’s something you would like to have installed with your HVAC system.
If, after reading through our list of FAQs, you decide that you are ready to have UV lights installed, give Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing a call. We would love to help you take the necessary measures to make sure that you and other people living in your home are breathing in clean and safe air.
What Are UV Lights?
UV light, or ultraviolet light, is a form of electromagnetic radiation. UV light has a shorter wavelength than our brains are able to perceive, making it invisible to us. You may associate UV light with the harmful rays of the sun that can cause sunburns. While this connection isn’t incorrect, it’s not the only form of UV light. There are actually multiple forms of UV light, including UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.
UV-A light is often referred to as black light. With a wavelength between 340 and 400 nanometers, it is the least harmful type of UV light and can make objects appear fluorescent. UV-A light can contribute to the presence of wrinkles and other signs of aging skin.
UB-B light is the form of UV light that many people immediately think of. This form of UV light has a wavelength between 315 and 340 nanometers, and it can lead to sunburns and, in some cases, skin cancer.
UV-C light, which has a wavelength between 100 and 290 nanometers, is very dangerous. Most UV-C light is absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere, so most of it does not reach us. One of the main uses of UV-C light is to kill microorganisms in order to disinfect water, air, and other items.
Will Installing UV Lights With My HVAC System Improve My Home’s Air Quality?
Yes. UV lights can be quite effective at improving the air quality in your house. The UV lights installed with HVAC systems use UV-C light, which is the form of UV light that is most effective at disinfecting the air.
However, it is important to note that in order for the UV lights to sanitize the air, it is essential that they are installed properly. If the lights are not installed in the correct location or if the wrong number of lights are installed, they will not have the desired effect on the air in your residence.
What Can UV Lights Remove From the Air?
UV lights can be very effective at removing a number of pollutants from the air in your home. They can effectively kill bacteria, mold, and other organic growths that you would not want anyone in your household to breathe in. However, UV lights are not an effective solution for removing allergens such as dust or pet dander. This means that it is still important to regularly replace the air filter on your HVAC system.
Can Adding UV Lights Improve the Efficiency of My HVAC System?
Yes. In addition to improving your home’s indoor air quality, UV lights can also improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. Since UV lights help ensure that your system is operating how it should be, it will be able to operate more efficiently and use less energy. In fact, UV lights can decrease the amount of energy consumed by your system by as much as 35%. This decreased energy usage will save you money on your monthly electric bill, helping to pay for the investment for the UV lights.
Is Adding UV Lights to My HVAC System Dangerous?
As long as they are properly installed, there should be no safety concerns with adding UV lights to an HVAC system. However, it is important to note that being directly exposed to UV-C light can cause damage to a person’s skin or eyes. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you have an experienced professional install the UV lights for you. A professional’s work can help to keep you protected from the potential dangers of being exposed to UV-C light.
Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has a highly skilled and experienced team of technicians who would love to assist you with installing a new HVAC system with UV lights or installing UV lights for your current HVAC system.
What Maintenance Is Required for UV Lights?
In order to ensure that your UV lights are able to do their jobs properly, it is important to make sure that they are well-maintained. The bulbs should be cleaned on a regular basis and will likely need to be replaced about once a year. Having a qualified technician perform this maintenance can help you to feel confident that your system will function at peak levels and that it will keep you and the other people in your household breathing safely and comfortably.
Closing Thoughts
Clean air is essential for maintaining good health. UV lights can help to eliminate up to 97% of viruses, bacteria, mold, and other pollutants from your house’s air. If you are ready to improve the air quality of your residence, the team at Bardi Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is here to help.
In addition to helping you to ensure that your home’s air is clean and safe to breathe, we also offer a variety of other heating, cooling, and plumbing services. We are always available to help tune up your existing HVAC system, install a new energy-efficient HVAC system, address leaks or plumbing repairs, and clean your air ducts.
Contact us today for all of your heating, cooling, and plumbing needs. We have been providing quality service to the greater Atlanta area since 1989 and would love for you to become our next highly satisfied customer!
