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 frequently two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. But with different air cleaning methods to choose from, how do you know which one is best for your home and family? Here’s a comparison of two popular options—air purifiers and UV lights.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers are designed to increase indoor air quality by filtering dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen from the air. Some also collect odor-causing molecules for a fresher scent. Air purifiers come in a portable form, which means they can only work in one room at a time.
There are different types of air purifiers, such as mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, ozone generators, electronic air purifiers, and ionization systems. They all function a little differently, but the goal is the same—to trap airborne substances. However, once allergens drift down to the floor, purifiers can no longer capture and remove them.
One underlying problem with several air purifiers is that they produce ozone. Whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. Exposure to ozone decreases lung function and enhances 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 hurt it! Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations, homeowners are encouraged to rely on proven methods of reducing indoor air pollution. These methods include phasing out 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 wipes out bacteria and molds. UV lamps have been used as a sterilization system in hospitals and food production for many years. When added to your HVAC system, UV lights can drastically improve indoor air quality.
The process is surprisingly uncomplicated: an ultraviolet lamp is installed in your ventilation system, where it runs constantly. Every time the air conditioner or furnace starts, indoor air containing particles blows through the light. Airborne microorganisms are made sterile within 10 seconds of contact, rendering them unable to reproduce until they die shortly after UVC exposure. It is suggested that UV lights be used alongside both high efficiency filtration and ventilation systems. All three work in unison to provide the best, most pure indoor air for your home.
Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights – Which is Better?
Freschi Service Experts encourages you to consider installing UV lights for enhanced indoor air quality. This solution can provide relief to those dealing with asthma and allergies, particularly in warm, humid regions where microorganisms thrive. Unlike air purifiers, UV lights can:
- Clean the air in your entire home
- Destroy the bulk of viruses, bacteria and mold
- Lengthen your HVAC system’s lifespan
- Minimize the likelihood of producing ozone
If you decide a UV germicidal light is useful for your home, speak with one of our indoor air quality Experts today. We can walk you through the best combination of products based on your HVAC equipment and indoor air quality needs. Remember, you should still use an HVAC air filtration system to trap dust, pollen and pet dander since UV lights can’t affect inorganic allergens. To learn more about different air cleaning methods, or to schedule a free home health consultation, call us at 925-384-1303 now!