It has long been known that ultraviolet (UV) light used at sufficiently short wavelengths can break down microorganisms and render them sterile and unable to reproduce. It is a fact that has contributed to the widespread use of UV technology over the years for germicidal irradiation and sterilization applications.
One area where UV light-based technologies are being used increasingly is for residential air purification purposes. The air circulating inside a residential heating and cooling system can be concentrated with dangerous contaminants, allergens and even disease-carrying bacteria including those associated with the flu and H1N1. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is 100 times more polluted than the air outside.
A UV Air Treatment System can greatly reduce this pollution and help combat the flu, H1NI and other threats by preventing viruses, bacteria, mold spores and other allergens from growing and circulating within a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Ultraviolet irradiation can help sterilize up to 99.9% of mold and fungal spores on a HVAC system’s cooling coils and close to 75% of airborne bacteria.
A UV air treatment system works primarily by causing photochemical damage within a microorganism that renders them sterile and unable to reproduce. This effectively neutralizes the threat of their being able to multiply and thereby can be very effective in combating diseases such as H1N1 and the flu. Ultraviolet radiation techniques have been used for years to disinfect medical equipment and are considered to be a widely applicable means of air disinfection as well.
Some UV air treatment systems are standalone units that use a fan to force air to move past a shielded UV lamp. But most UV air treatment units are installed directly inside forced air systems where UV generating lamps sterilize the air moving through it. Such UV air purification systems are typically mounted downstream of the air conditioner cooling coils as well as in the return air ducts, both of which are breeding grounds for mold and other bacteria.
A UV light installed inside the main heating and cooling system is ideal because on average air is circulated between 75 to 150 times through a HVAC system daily. Since UV light cannot pass through metal or glass, a UV air treatment system installed inside a HVAC system also poses little risk of direct exposure to the eyes or the skin.
Filters Fast filter experts are ready to answer any questions you have on installing UV systems..
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