Indoor air quality is important for every household. If you lack adequate air quality products, indoor air is frequently two to five times more contaminated compared to outdoor air. But with a large number of air cleaning methods on the market, how do you recognize which one is right for your home and family? Here’s a comparison of two popular 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 collect odor-causing molecules for a pleasant scent. Air purifiers are available in a portable form, which means they can only be used in one room at a time.
There are several types of air purifiers, including mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, ozone generators, electronic air purifiers, and ionization systems. They all perform a little differently, but the goal is the same—to capture airborne pollutants. However, once allergens drift down to the floor, purifiers can no longer catch and remove them.
One underlying problem with several air purifiers is that they create ozone. Whether in its natural form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be hazardous to health. Breathing ozone affects lung function and escalates the risk of throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and lung inflammation. This is an ironic side effect, considering that a homeowner would only purchase an air purifier to improve indoor air quality, not make it worse! Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) instructions, homeowners are encouraged to take advantage of proven techniques of reducing indoor air pollution. These methods include eliminating or controlling pollutant sources, adding outdoor air ventilation and using any proven methods of air cleaning that doesn’t intensify 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 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 decades. When installed in your HVAC system, UV lights can greatly improve indoor air quality.
The process is surprisingly uncomplicated: an ultraviolet lamp is installed in your ventilation system, where it runs throughout the day. Any time the air conditioner or furnace turns on, indoor air containing pollutants moves past the light. Airborne microorganisms are deactivated within 10 seconds of contact, rendering them unable to reproduce until they die quickly after UVC exposure. It is advised that UV lights be utilized in addition to both high efficiency filtration and ventilation accessories. All three work together to provide the best, most pure indoor air for your home.
Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights – Which is Best?
Church Services suggest installing UV lights for enhanced indoor air quality. This solution can provide relief to anyone suffering from asthma and allergies, especially in warm, humid regions where microorganisms are in abundance. 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
- Reduce the possibility of creating ozone
If you decide a UV germicidal light is best for your home, speak with one of our indoor air quality specialists today. We can suggest the perfect combination of products based on your HVAC equipment and indoor air quality needs. Don’t forget, you should still use an HVAC air filtration system to dust, pollen and pet dander since UV lights won't affect non-living allergens. To learn more about available air cleaning methods, or to arrange a free home health consultation, call us at 713-396-3760 right away!