You might be scratching your head on this one. “What? UV rays are GOOD for me? What about sunburns—skin cancer risks?” You’d be right, but that’s not the level of UV light we’re talking about here. This is more of what you know as a “black light”—seen at many concert and amusement parks after dusk.
We aren’t talking about that level of UV light, but rather the UV rays that help eliminate mold, mildew, and other microorganisms from the inside of your ductwork so that you can breathe and live more healthfully in your home. With fall and winter well on their way, this is the perfect time of year to think about just this, and take the proper steps in defending your family against wintertime illnesses as best you can.
In addition to helping you live more healthfully though, UV lights—also referred to as a UV air purifier—can even benefit your air conditioning system by improving its efficiency and lifespan. Keep reading to learn more!
Where the UV Lights Are Located
To fully grasp why and how a UV purifier can be advantageous for your home, you have to first know the position of the UV lights and what they do. UV lights are essentially a set of UV lightbulbs that emit the ultraviolet radiation that destroys cellular material.
Again, this level of UV rays is harmless for people and their pets. But they do negatively impact smaller organic particles. UV lights are placed in the HVAC system in such a way that they shine on the evaporator coil of the air conditioner. This is a point in the HVAC system where all air must pass, which makes it an ideal spot for cleansing the air. But again, they help in more ways than one.
UV Rays Kill Mold
Ultraviolet radiation destroys mold, mildew, and sports along with other organic pollutants. Mold is a major issue for air conditioning systems due to the moisture that develops along the evaporator coil. As this coil operates, it draws water vapor out of the air along with the heat.
Sometimes though, there is too much water vapor and it overwhelms the condensate drain. This is a problem that is fairly common in air conditioners, and can create a mold problem. But with the installation of UV germicidal lights, you may be able to prevent this problem from occurring at all!
Mold Elimination and Your Health
Did you know that even the most benign-seeming mold can make a person ill? This is true whether or not they already have an existing medical condition, but if they do already have health issues, this can be detrimental for them.
Mold and mildew growth can cause a number of symptoms, including but certainly not limited to, Allergy symptoms, eye irritation, a musty odor making you ill, and more.