Should I Add a UV Light to My HVAC System?

Are you or a family member highly-sensitive to allergens, mold, and other indoor pollutants? If you are one of the many Americans for whom keeping the air in your home or office free from harmful contaminants is a top priority, UV lights air purifiers may be for you.

How Do UV Lights Work?

UV lights can be added to your central HVAC system to eliminate any potentially harmful microorganisms before they enter your living space. They can also help keep your heating and air conditioning system clean. The coil, a prime component of your HVAC system, stays wet several months out of the year, making it a top site for microbial growth. Though UV lights are a great way to manage airborne contaminants running through your system, however, they are not the only option for safeguarding your indoor air quality.

UV Lights Work Best When Paired with an Air Filter Upgrade 

The heating and air conditioning pros at H & H recommend installing a better air filter in addition to your UV lights to support healthier indoor air quality. Systems with a HEPA-rated air filter can trap tiny particles 0.1-microns or smaller in size (700 times smaller than a human hair), such as mold spores. This addition will allow your filter system to trap a large number of harmful contaminants before you have to rely on your UV light system to destroy them.

Learn more about HEPA air filters for your home air conditioner.

How UV Lights & HEPA Filters Help You Breathe Easier

As we said earlier, a HEPA filter and UV lights can help you breathe easier by safeguarding your indoor coil against microbial growth and purifying the air in your home. The best UV light systems accomplish this by:

1. Exposing your indoor HVAC coil to UV light at all times, eliminating mold and mildew growth that could be spread throughout your home by your HVAC system.
2. Working in conjunction with activated carbon cells to remove dangerous chemicals, VOCs, and other odors/vapors that could make you feel sick or exacerbate allergy/asthma symptoms, filtering them out and eliminating them from the air you breathe.

When shopping for a UV light air purification system, don’t settle for less. Ensure clean, healthy air by choosing a system that addresses these essential aspects of safeguarding your indoor air quality.

What Else Can You Do to Improve Indoor Air Quality?

In addition to adding an indoor air quality system to your HVAC system, other ways you can improve air quality in your home include:

• Cleaning and sealing your ductwork to prevent the circulation of contaminants, attic or crawlspace air.
• Regularly changing/washing your HVAC air filters per manufacturer instructions.
• Keeping humidity in your home at optimal levels with a whole house humidifier or dehumidifier addition.
• Having your home assessed for air infiltration from unwanted areas.

Breathe easier. Schedule an indoor air quality assessment with your local air conditioning contractors at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning today.