How Do UVC Air Purifiers Work?

September 08, 2020

Perhaps you realize that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) is to blame for your painful sunburn. But were you aware that a different type of ultraviolet light can be used to keep your home’s air clean?

The sun emits two types of damaging UV rays, UVA and UVB. These dangerous rays can lead to sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles and other signs of premature aging.

There’s another variety of UV light, referred to as UVC. While full exposure to this ultraviolet light is bad for your skin or eyes, it can safely be used to clean air, water and certain surfaces.

Brookwood Inc uses this light in some of our products to enhance air filtration in Newton residences.

Applications for Ultraviolet Light

This precise wavelength is called “germicidal” since it wipes out the DNA of bacteria and viruses. When pathogens pass through this light, they eventually perish as they can’t reproduce.

This makes UVC light a powerful substitute to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is applied in many disinfection applications, including medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also employed to purify drinking water and other liquids produced in food processing.

It’s growing in popularity to freshen air in homes in Newton. That’s due to the fact it can also eradicate typical indoor contaminants including mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an additional advantage for loved ones who deal with seasonal allergies or asthma.

How to Use Germicidal UV Light in Your Home

We place a germicidal UV light within your HVAC system’s ductwork. Since the light is placed inside the ductwork, it makes it compatible with many heating and cooling units. This also keeps its rays securely confined while providing strong disinfection for your home’s air.

Dirty air is freshened in a two-step process, first moving through your air filter and then the UV light before moving around your home. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t running, these lights still run to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort equipment clean.

This whole-house solution is better than a portable air purifier, which is limited to cleaning the air in one room. Portable air purifiers also can’t clean your ductwork or the inside of your HVAC equipment. A clean HVAC system is typically a more efficient one that can even work longer. And, many portable air purifiers are known for producing ozone.

When thinking over adding a germicidal lamp to your residence, it’s essential to look for one that doesn’t create ozone. While ozone is great at wiping out odors and chemicals, it can also irritate your lungs and cause other respiratory troubles.

If you’re seeking ways to clean your house’s air, the indoor air quality pros at Brookwood Inc can help. We have a large range of solutions to help your household breathe more easily. Contact us at 641-316-9803 to schedule a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate now!