Is UV Light for My AC or Furnace Worth It?

September 08, 2020

Perhaps you realize that the sun’s ultraviolet light (UV) results in painful sunburn. But did you realize that another kind of ultraviolet light can be installed to keep your residence’s air clean?

The sun lets off two types of harmful UV rays, UVA and UVB. These harmful rays can cause sunburn, skin cancer, wrinkles and other kinds of premature aging.

There’s another kind of UV light, called UVC. While unprotected exposure to this ultraviolet light is bad for your skin or eyes, it can safely be used to disinfect air, water and various surfaces.

Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning uses this light in several of our systems to better air filtration in York homes.

How Ultraviolet Light is Used

This distinct wavelength is referred to as “germicidal” as it eradicates 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 potent replacement to chemical disinfection. Germicidal light is applied in many disinfection uses, like medical laboratories and hospitals. It’s also applied to clean drinking water and other liquids created in food processing.

It’s becoming a popular choice to freshen air in residences in York. That’s since it can also eliminate typical indoor contaminants like mold, mildew and bacteria. This is an extra benefit for loved ones who deal with seasonal allergies or asthma.

Uses for Germicidal UV Light in Your Home

We install a germicidal UV light inside your HVAC system’s ductwork. Since the light is set inside the ductwork, it makes it compatible with many heating and cooling units. This also keeps its light carefully confined while delivering strong purification for your house’s air.

Dirty air is cleaned in a two-step process, first traveling through your air filter and then the UV light prior to spreading across your home. Even when your heat or air conditioning isn’t on, these lights still work to keep your air, ductwork and home comfort unit clean.

This whole-house product is superior to a portable air purifier, which can only clean the air in a single room. Portable air purifiers also can’t purify your ductwork or the inside of your HVAC equipment. A clean HVAC system is usually a more efficient one that can even run longer. And, some portable air purifiers have a bad reputation for creating ozone.

When thinking over buying a germicidal lamp for your residence, it’s essential to select one that doesn’t create ozone. While ozone is good at getting rid of odors and chemicals, it could also irritate your lungs and lead to other respiratory problems.

If you’re seeking methods to freshen your home’s air, the indoor air quality professionals at Strine's Heating & Air Conditioning can help. We sell a large range of options to help your family breathe better. Contact us at 717-383-4479 to schedule a free, no-obligation home comfort analysis and estimate now!