The air quality inside your home is incredibly important. Not only can poor indoor air quality affect your comfort — but it can also affect your health. Everything from pollen to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are found in paints and aerosol sprays can contaminate the air we breathe.
If you’ve been scouring the internet for ways to improve your home’s IAQ, you might have stumbled upon UV (ultraviolet) lights. These lights are placed inside your HVAC unit. More specifically, a trained professional will install them in the air handler near the cooling coils. Why this specific placement? Essentially, UV lights will kill the harmful contaminants that grow on these coils.
But does UV light really improve indoor air quality? There’s a lot worth considering. Let’s discuss the benefits of UV light in HVAC systems and some of the drawbacks they can have.
Do UV Lights Make Indoor Air Quality Better?
UV light systems have many different uses. You’ve probably heard about them being used in hospitals and other medical facilities.
So, does UV light really improve indoor air quality? There are certainly many benefits to installing these types of products in your HVAC system, but a few disadvantages are worth keeping in mind. We’ll go over them in-depth so that you can better understand what to expect if you choose to install one.
The Pros
“Does UV light really improve indoor air quality?” Although this may seem like an easy question to answer, it can be sort of complicated. When it comes down to it, UV lights can kill germs, bacteria, mold, and mildew that grow inside your home’s air ducts. This is excellent news for several reasons.
First, when you kill and prevent contaminants from growing in the ducts, you can keep them from entering your home — and wreaking havoc on your air. Additionally, when these contaminants build up inside your ductwork, this makes it difficult for your HVAC system to work properly. Your air conditioning system or heater will have to work harder to meet your needs, wasting a great deal of energy in the process. In the end, removing these contaminants can improve airflow and HVAC performance.
Although there are many benefits of UV light in HVAC systems, it’s worth noting that there are different UV lights on the market. Not all of them are made equal. UV-C lights are considered to be the most effective at killing a wide range of pollutants, such as bacteria and viruses.
The Cons
There are many UV light benefits, but what about the cons? First and foremost, you should know that these lights don’t kill all airborne contaminants. For instance, they aren’t effective at removing VOCs, dust, or pet dander. As you know, these can be some of the most common airborne pollutants.
Additionally, installing these UV lights can be an expensive undertaking. You will also need to clean the bulbs every few years, and replacing them can be costly in the long run.
What Are Other Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality?
When discussing the benefits of UV light in HVAC systems, it’s important to mention the drawbacks. After all, you might be looking for a solution that UV lights simply can’t provide you with. Fortunately, there are many other indoor air quality products and services to choose from.
First and foremost, you should remember to replace your HVAC system’s air filter every one to three months. These air filters can collect dust, pollen, and other contaminants over time, negatively impacting your home’s air quality. When you replace this filter regularly, you can potentially see improvements in your IAQ and air conditioning system performance.
Whole-home air purification systems are also an option worth considering. These comprehensive air purifiers connect to your HVAC system like UV lights. They are capable of removing common airborne contaminants, such as pet dander and dust, from your home’s air. This can be a great solution if you frequently experience allergy or asthma symptoms. If you want to learn more about whole-home air purifiers, it’s always a good idea to contact a Greenville air quality expert for assistance.
Have Poor Indoor Air Quality? Contact the Experts at A.C.C.
So, does UV light really improve indoor air quality? As you can see, these specific lights can help prevent viruses, bacteria, and mold from affecting your home’s air. However, they’re not the best at removing every kind of contaminant — even those that are most common.
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of UV light in HVAC systems, you might be wondering what product or service is best for you and your family’s needs. Improving indoor air quality doesn’t need to be complicated or confusing. At Absolute Climate Control, our IAQ experts are happy to help you find the perfect solution. We care about customer comfort, whether you’re interested in an air purifier installation or air conditioner repair in Greenville, SC. Contact us today to see what our professional team can do for you!
