Reasons Why a Renovation Contractor Will Install a UV Light for HVAC Systems in Suffolk County, NY
HVAC systems do more than heat and cool the air to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Did you know they are also largely responsible for indoor air quality? Eliminating dust and allergens has always been an important element of HVAC systems, but adding UV light to the system can also improve air quality to make the air cleaner and safer to breathe. Here are the reasons why a renovation contractor will install a UV light for HVAC systems in Suffolk County, NY.
Why Use UV Light, Specifically?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a powerful air purifier. The sun’s rays have been used for centuries to disinfect items; in the home, your parents may have hung laundry outside, which disinfected the fabrics. Sunlight destroys mold, mildew, and many other pathogens and it is used to clean water in fish tanks, and to disinfect nonporous surfaces.
Harnessing the power of UV light in an HVAC system will kill dangerous pathogens and decrease the chances of viral or bacterial infection which significantly improves indoor air quality.
One of the big questions we hear today is, “Does UV light kill the Coronavirus?” Yes! We have seen an upsurge in building owners and facility managers installing UV lights in their HVAC systems, to keep buildings occupants safe during the pandemic and beyond.
How Does UV Light Work?
Pathogens (including viruses and bacteria), fungi, and various toxins and contaminants can spread easily through HVAC systems.
There are two common types of UV lights that are installed in tandem inside the air handlers of an HVAC system. Both lights run continuously, both during the cooling and heating seasons, to ensure all air that passes through the system is disinfected. It’s important that UV lights are placed in the air intake and adjacent to the coils within the air handler. It’s also important to periodically inspect the lights and change bulbs as necessary to maintain a clean environment.
The first UV light sterilizes the air as it comes into the air intake, eliminating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The second UV light sterilizes the coils inside the air handlers to eliminate buildup within the system.
UV radiation will kill a virus through direct exposure. This is essential knowledge. There must be direct contact with the virus, meaning the light can’t be blocked by dust or other contaminants. This is why using a combination of UV light and filters is essential for the process to work.
The combination of a UV system and air filters can minimize the buildup of contaminants within the HVAC units and the air ducts. Not only does this benefit the people who breathe this air, but a reduction in contaminants can also improve airflow and make the system more efficient (which will reduce energy costs).
Installing UV sterilizing lights means a healthier and safer environment in office buildings, retail outlets, manufacturing facilities, and residential buildings.
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