Most people are surprised to learn it’s been more than a century since the discovery that ultraviolet light kills germs. The technology has since been put to a lot of different uses including sterilizing water, use of germicidal lamps in restaurants, cafeterias, and other food establishments, and even to cure nail polish more quickly.
Once modern heating and air conditioning came into existence, it didn’t take long to figure out that UV could be applied to improving indoor air quality for residential HVAC systems. If you’ve never heard of germicidal ultraviolet lights for your HVAC system, or if you have but are trying to decide if they’re worth the investment, here’s what you should know.
Germicidal Ultraviolet Basics
HVAC systems can be the perfect breeding ground for the mold and bacteria that cause respiratory problems like allergies and asthma. Germicidal ultraviolet inactivates the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, destroying their ability to reproduce and cause diseases or other health problems. Without getting too deep into the science, it’s safe to say ultraviolet prevents the DNA from replicating.
Improve Indoor Air Quality
People spend about 90 percent of their time in an indoor environment with little or no exchange of outside air. Germicidal UV optimizes your home’s indoor air quality by disinfecting coils, duct surfaces, and drain pans within your filtration system. It works 24/7 in conjunction with your air filter to neutralize pathogens, viruses, bacteria, mildew, and mold.
The germicidal UV whole house treatment does not replace your regular filter or electronic air cleaner but instead works with it to give your home the highest quality air possible. Regular filters are great for dust particles but are inefficient when dealing with microscopic molds, bacteria, and viruses. David Gray Heating & Air offers the TechPure Germicidal UV Light, an advanced, next generation UV light technology that’s 100 percent ozone free and designed for any residential system.
What to Know
The TechPure germicidal UV light lamps are low maintenance, and the bulbs have a service life of 9,000 hours at continuous operation. Your home’s regular filter helps keep them free of dust and all they require is a professional cleaning every six months. Each tube uses approximately the same electricity as a 40-watt bulb and annual replacement of the bulbs is recommended.
One lamp per home is generally sufficient to control microbial growth on your filtration system. Of course, every residential HVAC system is different, so a professional trained in the use of a germicidal UV system should be consulted about what will work best for your home.
Proper air filtration is an important first line of defense in reducing or eliminating the circulation of microbes within your Jacksonville home’s HVAC system. Under the right conditions and with proper installation, the TechPure Germicidal UV Light system can be extremely effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and mold, making your home a much healthier place.
If you’re ready to explore whether a germicidal ultralight system is right for your Jacksonville, FL home, get in touch with David Gray Heating & Air today or call us at (904) 605-8190.