Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights: What’s Ideal for Me? 

Indoor air quality is something to keep in mind for every homeowner. If you lack the proper air quality products, indoor air is frequently two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. But with a large number of air cleaning methods to choose from, how do you determine which one is best for your home and family? Here’s a comparison of two top choices—air purifiers and UV lights.

How Do Air Purifiers Work?

Air purifiers are used to increase indoor air quality by trapping dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen from the air. Some also absorb odor-causing molecules for a pleasant scent. Air purifiers can be found in a portable form, which means they can only be used in one room at a time.

There are many types of air purifiers, such as mechanical filters, activated carbon filters, ozone generators, electronic air purifiers, and ionization systems. They all work slightly differently, but the goal is the same—to filter out airborne particulates. However, once allergens fall to the floor, purifiers can no longer catch and remove them.

One underlying problem with many 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 weakens lung function and escalates the risk of throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and lung inflammation. This is an ironic side effect, since a homeowner would only purchase an air purifier to improve indoor air quality, not weaken it! Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations, homeowners are advised to rely on proven techniques of managing 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 create 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 decades. When installed in your HVAC system, UV lights can dramatically enhance indoor air quality.

The process is surprisingly straightforward: an ultraviolet lamp is installed in your ductwork, where it runs constantly. Any time the air conditioner or furnace starts, indoor air containing particles drifts through the light. Airborne microorganisms are made sterile in under 10 seconds of contact, rendering them unable to reproduce until they die soon after UVC exposure. It is encouraged that UV lights be installed alongside both high efficiency filtration and ventilation devices. All three work in unison to give you the best, most pure indoor air for your home.

Air Purifiers vs. UV Lights – Which is Recommended?

Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing suggest installing UV lights for the highest possible indoor air quality. This solution can offer relief to people struggling with asthma and allergies, namely in sunny, humid settings where microorganisms thrive. Unlike air purifiers, UV lights can:

• • Clean the air in your entire home

• • Eliminate most viruses, bacteria and mold

• • Increase your HVAC system’s lifespan

• • Avoid the likelihood of creating ozone

If you believe a UV germicidal light is beneficial for your home, discuss it with one of our indoor air quality specialists today. We can suggest the ideal combination of systems based on your HVAC equipment and indoor air quality needs. Keep in mind, you should still use an HVAC air filtration system to remove dust, pollen and pet dander since UV lights can’t affect non-living allergens. To learn more about these air cleaning methods, or to request a free home health consultation, call us at 866-397-3787 today!