How UV Lights Improve Indoor Air Quality

UV lights have been used to grow plants, make people’s moods better, and even kill bacteria in public pools. Taking things a step further, HVAC companies have been offering the installation of UV lights in ductwork for the purpose of creating healthier indoor air quality. 

How the UV Lights Work

The UV lights are inside the ducts of your home. As heated or cooled air is forced upward through the ducts, it eventually has to pass by the UV lights. When it does, the UV light disrupts the DNA of the bacteria, mold, and germs. Disrupted bacteria makes these organisms much weaker and unable to reproduce or infect your respiratory tract. Hence, your whole house becomes a much healthier place to breathe. 

The Two Types of UV Lights

There are two types of UV lights an HVAC technician can install. There are the coil sanitizing lights that are installed near evaporator coils such that the air immediately passes by the UV light right after exiting the evaporator coil. These work great in most air conditioners and some heat pumps, but if you use a furnace to heat your home at all, you might need a different UV light setup.

Air sanitizing lights are installed in the return vents and ducts. As air is pulled out of the rooms in your home it passes the UV lights and is sanitized before being sent to your A/C or heater/furnace. Since the air is already sanitized by the time it gets to the main heating or cooling appliance, it returns to the rooms as clean and heated or cooled air. 

For Maximum Efficacy

If you want these UV lights installed in your home, make sure the ducts and appliances have been thoroughly cleaned and updated. Then the UV lights can treat air that isn’t heavy-laden with dust and debris.