Ultraviolet (UV) light is known for its ability to kill or deactivate pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. Germicidal UV lights have historically been most common in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and labs. The good news is, now Corona homeowners can take advantage of the same principles to eradicate airborne contaminants in their own houses.
How Do Germicidal UV Lights Work?
The term UV light refers to a non-visible spectrum of radiation produced naturally by the sun and mimicked by specialized lightbulbs. It’s responsible for those unpleasant sunburns that occur when people spend too much time at the beach, but UV light can also be incredibly beneficial. Microscopic organisms like bacteria, viruses, and mold spores get more than sunburns from even brief exposures. A UV light installed in a home’s HVAC system will deactivate them, effectively killing the pathogens before they can even reach the living areas of the house.
The Benefits of UV Light Purification
Homeowners who are on the fence about whether the installation of UV lights in Corona is truly worth the money may want to put off making their final decisions until after they’ve learned the facts. They can find out about the top benefits of UV Light Installation below.
Promote Better Health
A home’s heating and cooling system relies on HVAC equipment and a series of ducts to transfer treated air throughout every room of the house. Unfortunately, those ducts can also spread airborne pathogens, which can cause a range of symptoms and exacerbate allergy or asthma problems. Installing a UV lamp in the HVAC system’s ducts will destroy pathogens and other microorganisms before they can reach residents’ lungs and skin, promoting better health.
Prevent Mold Growth
UV light doesn’t just kill viruses and bacteria. It also deactivates mold spores. Installing a UV light in the HVAC system can keep the ducts free from mold and prevent its spread throughout the home. Stopping the spread of mold doesn’t just protect residents’ health. It also protects the home’s furnishings, wooden floors and window frames, and structural components.
Protect the HVAC System
Eradicating microorganisms can help to protect the HVAC system and ensure its longevity. It can reduce drain line moisture and clogs, improve airflow by reducing the number of microbes that build up on filters, ducts, and coils, and place less strain on the furnace and air conditioner, reducing the need for repairs.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a UV Light?
The cost of installation will vary depending on a variety of factors. The light must be integrated into the home’s HVAC system, either in its ducts or near the evaporator coil and drain pan. Coil-sterilizing lights are usually less expensive than duct-sterilizing lights.
To complicate matters further, some UV light systems have advanced features like sight glass, auto-sensing smart ballasts, and remote LED displays. They tend to cost more than more basic models. The best way to find out how much it will cost to install a UV light is to contact a reputable HVAC company like Friends & Family HVAC to request an estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions About UV Lights
Since UV lights used to be found only in sensitive environments like healthcare facilities, most homeowners gave them little thought until recently. As a result, there are still a lot of misconceptions out there about how these germicidal lights work and what they do. To combat those misconceptions, let’s take a moment to answer a few of homeowners’ most frequently asked questions about UV lights.
Are UV Lights Safe?
While certain types of UV light can cause sunburns, the germicidal UV light systems installed in modern homes are completely safe. Residents will never come into contact with the light, and most systems use UV-C light, anyway, which is not the primary culprit when it comes to causing burns. These lights may be deadly to microbes, but they won’t harm residents.
How Often Do the Bulbs Need to Be Changed?
UV light bulbs can be expected to last around 9,000 hours or around one year. After that point, they can start to lose effectiveness. The best way to combat this problem is to hire a contractor to change the bulbs once a year.
How Long Do UV Lights Take to Work?
One of the best things about installing a germicidal UV light is that it will start to work almost immediately. It only takes around 10 seconds of exposure to kill the average bacterium.
