Improving Your Home's Air Quality with UV Lights

October 22, 2015

Using UV light to manage year-round indoor air quality (IAQ) is one of the most effective, safe, simple and energy efficient approaches for your home. UV (ultraviolet) light eliminates bacteria, viruses, mold spores and other organic cells by preventing them from reproducing.

UV Applications When UV lights are placed inside an HVAC system, the rays disrupt the life cycle of these microorganisms, effectively improving IAQ. They're so effective that many health care centers, food processing facilities and large institutions use these lights to reduce the spread of infectious diseases

Best Placement Because UV rays can damage eyesight, the best places for them are in the ducts and air handling equipment of central HVAC systems. Almost all the air passes through the air handler or blower compartment and ductwork, where the biological contaminants pass by the UV lights.

Benefits Exposure to UV light stops mold growth indoors that can cause respiratory distress and cause structural damage to your home. When they're placed inside the blower compartment, they eliminate mold and biological growths on the evaporator coil, an essential part of a central air conditioning system and heat pump. In addition to raising energy bills, these growths on the coil can contaminate the air throughout your home. UV lights also improve IAQ because they break down some of the harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many homes and buildings. VOCs come from many common household products including cleaning products, anything with perfume, vehicle exhaust, new furniture, carpeting and paint. They can cause minor to serious physical reactions. The only other way to lower VOCs in homes is through fresh air ventilation or product avoidance, both of which pose challenges during Iowa's long winters. UV lights use modest amounts of energy, and need infrequent cleaning between replacement intervals that range between every 12 to 24 months for optimal effectiveness.

If you'd like to learn more about using UV light to improve your home's IAQ, contact Lozier Heating & Cooling, providing trusted HVAC services for Des Moines homeowners since 1906. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: "Plume Photography/Shutterstock"