Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights: What’s Best for My Home?
Indoor air quality is something to keep in mind for every homeowner. If your home doesn't have the right air quality products, indoor air is likely to be two to five times more polluted compared to outdoor air. But with so many air cleaning methods to choose from, how do you learn 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 built to enhance indoor air quality by filtering dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen from the air. Some also capture odor-causing molecules for a pleasant scent. Air purifiers can be found in a portable form, which means they can only work 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 a little differently, but the goal is the same—to filter out airborne particles. However, once allergens fall to the floor, purifiers can no longer catch and remove them.
One consistent problem with several air purifiers is that they produce ozone. Whether in its raw form or combined with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. Being exposed to ozone weakens lung function and intensifies the risk of throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and lung inflammation. This is an ironic side effect, considering that a homeowner would only use an air purifier to improve indoor air quality, not hurt it! Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, homeowners are reminded to utilize proven approaches of reducing indoor air pollution. These methods include eliminating or controlling pollutant sources, increasing outdoor air ventilation and using any proven methods of air cleaning that doesn’t add or produce 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 known as germicidal because it inactivates most viruses and kills bacteria and molds. UV lamps have been used as a sterilization instrument in hospitals and food production for a very long time. When placed in your HVAC system, UV lights can drastically increase indoor air quality.
The process is surprisingly uncomplicated: an ultraviolet lamp is installed in your ventilation system, where it runs continuously. Each time the air conditioner or furnace activates, indoor air containing particles blows near the light. Airborne microorganisms are made sterile after just 10 seconds of contact, rendering them unable to reproduce until they die soon after UVC exposure. It is encouraged that UV lights be utilized in conjunction with both high efficiency filtration and ventilation equipment. All three work in tandem to produce the best, most pure indoor air for your home.
Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights - Which is Better?
Service Experts recommends installing UV lights for enhanced indoor air quality. This solution can bring relief to anyone struggling with asthma and allergies, namely in warm, humid climates where microorganisms prosper. Unlike air purifiers, UV lights can:
- Clean the air in your entire home
- Eliminate the bulk of viruses, bacteria and mold
- Lengthen your HVAC system’s lifespan
- Avoid the possibility of generating ozone
If you believe a UV germicidal light is beneficial for your home, talk with one of our indoor air quality specialists today. We can recommend the best combination of systems based on your HVAC equipment and indoor air quality needs. Remember, you should still use an HVAC air filtration system to remove dust, pollen and pet dander since UV lights won't affect inorganic allergens. To learn more about different air cleaning methods, or to schedule a free home health consultation, call us at (866) 963-7996 now!
