Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights: What’s Right for Me?
Indoor air quality is important for every home. If you lack adequate air quality products, indoor air is often two to five times less healthy compared to outdoor air. But with different air cleaning methods available, how do you know which one is ideal for your home and family? Here’s a comparison of two quality methods—air purifiers and UV lights.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers are used to increase indoor air quality by filtering dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen from the air. Some also absorb odor-causing molecules for a clean scent. Air purifiers come in a portable form, which means they can only clean the air in one room at a time.
There are many types of air purifiers, like mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, ozone generators, electronic air purifiers, and ionization systems. They all work slightly differently, but the goal is the same—to trap airborne substances. However, once allergens fall to the floor, purifiers can no longer capture and remove them.
One frequent problem with several air purifiers is that they generate ozone. Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be detrimental to health. Being exposed to ozone hampers lung function and increases the risk of throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and lung inflammation. This is an ironic side effect, because a homeowner would only use an air purifier to improve indoor air quality, not weaken it! Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instructions, homeowners are advised to rely on proven ways of managing indoor air pollution. These methods include removing or controlling pollutant sources, bolstering outdoor air ventilation and using any proven methods of air cleaning that doesn’t add or generate ozone.
How Do UV Lights Work?
Ultraviolet-C (UVC) rays are the highest energy portion of the UV radiation spectrum. This type of light is called germicidal because it inactivates most viruses and eliminates bacteria and molds. UV lamps have been used as a sterilization mechanism in hospitals and food production for a very long time. When placed in your HVAC system, UV lights can greatly improve indoor air quality.
The process is quite straightforward: an ultraviolet lamp is installed in your ductwork, where it runs constantly. Every time the air conditioner or furnace starts, indoor air containing particles drifts through the light. Airborne microorganisms are inactivated within 10 seconds of contact, rendering them unable to reproduce until they die quickly after UVC exposure. It is advised that UV lights be utilized in conjunction with both high efficiency filtration and ventilation systems. All three work in unison to give you the best, most pure indoor air for your home.
Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights – Which is Better?
Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning recommends installing UV lights for maximum indoor air quality. This solution can bring relief to anyone struggling with asthma and allergies, namely in sunny, humid settings where microorganisms are in abundance. Unlike air purifiers, UV lights can:
- Filter the air in your entire home
- Destroy most viruses, bacteria and mold
- Lengthen your HVAC system’s lifespan
- Reduce the likelihood of creating ozone
If you think a UV germicidal light is right for your home, chat with one of our indoor air quality technicians today. We can point you to the best combination of products based on your HVAC equipment and indoor air quality needs. Remember, you should still install an HVAC air filtration system to remove dust, pollen and pet dander since UV lights can’t affect non-living allergens. To learn more about these air cleaning methods, or to schedule a free home health consultation, call us at 954-736-4314 today!
