Benefits of UV Lighting in Your Home

You know about the dangers of the strong ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, but have you heard of using UV light in your home? Believe it or not, it’s extremely beneficial. While you don’t want too much UV light on your skin, it’s been proven effective in purifying your home’s air. In fact, when it’s used as part of your HVAC system, it can greatly improve your indoor air quality. Want to know more about the benefits of UV technology in your home? We’ll explain how it works and why it’s a great idea.

UV technology is not really new. It’s been used to effectively treat tuberculosis, and is in use in many settings, like hospitals and restaurants. Many different studies have shown it to be effective in killing mold and bacteria and in 2012, Duke University Medical Center used UV radiation to remove drug-resistant bacteria from 50 hospital rooms. How effective was it? It eradicated the bacteria by more than 97 percent. A study at a commercial office building showed that using UV light can significantly lower fungal levels.

So, how can you use UV technology in your house? A UV lamp can kill microorganisms and small pests. You can have a coil sterilization lamp installed in your HVAC system, or have an air sterilization light placed in your ducts. Coil sterilization uses a stick-type of light which, when placed into the return air duct, sterilizes the coil. This is the most commonly used UV light. Air sterilization sterilizes moving air. It’s a complete UV light unit installed in the return air duct, but it cycles with the air-handler blower.

Let’s look at the benefits of installing UV lights in your home:

• UV light can greatly improve your indoor air quality. UV lamps improve your home’s indoor air quality by removing contaminants like mold and bacteria from the air and reducing cold and flu germs. Not only that, but it also reduces odors in the air and removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This helps to prevent asthma and allergies symptoms, including rashes, eye irritation, fatigue, and headaches. By eliminating viruses and bacteria, UV lights can help people avoid illness, so they’re particularly good for people with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses.
• You’ll see an increase in energy savings if you utilize UV technology. By keeping organisms from reproducing, UV light prevents them from damaging your ductwork, walls, ceilings, and carpeting. It also keeps them from clogging your air filters and restricting your HVAC system’s airflow. This prolongs your HVAC system’s lifespan and reduces maintenance costs by improving the system’s performance and decreasing the likelihood of expensive repairs. You’ll still need annual preventive maintenance, and the filter should be replaced every few months. The UV lamp’s bulb will need to be changed about once a year.
• UV lamps will enhance the comfort of your home. When your HVAC is working at its most efficient, you’ll enjoy increased airflow and a higher level of comfort. Additionally, by keeping your HVAC system clean, UV lights prevent the musty odors that can cause what some in the industry call “dirty sock syndrome”. Biological growth can cause unpleasant smells and cause unsightly stains on the walls, ceilings, floors, and furniture, but UV technology can prevent that from happening.

UV lights must be installed and maintained by experienced professionals. While you might think that installing something so beneficial would be expensive, it’s actually surprisingly economical. The cost of UV lights is only about $100 per year, including replacement bulbs. Though they must be replaced annually, they require very little electricity to operate.

At Barstow and Sons, we are proud of our reputation for delivering high-quality products to our customers, and our UV lights are no exception. If you’re ready to reap all the benefits of UV technology, give us a call. Full-service heating and cooling service company, we’ve been providing high-quality service to customers throughout Anne Arundel County, Severna Park, Pasadena, and Annapolis since 1980. We’ve built a reputation for our dedication to excellence, and we’re here for our customers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call (410) 777-9148 to learn more or contact us through our website.