Now that it’s summer, New Port Richey, FL, can get more humid, and its temperatures can reach as high as 92° Fahrenheit. With such hot and humid conditions, you’ll likely want to stay in the comfort of your air-conditioned home. It’s safer to chill inside than be outdoors in the heat, right?
Not necessarily. There are many cases wherein indoor spaces, particularly those with poor indoor air quality (IAQ), can be more harmful to people’s health.
Fortunately, UV light in AC systems can help make your home air quality better and safer again. Here’s what you need to know about these germicidal lights and how to tell if you should invest in them for your New Port Richey, FL home.
When Investing in UV Light in AC Systems Makes Sense
Ultraviolet light is the technology behind UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) or germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) radiation. This specialized light can prevent the growth of microorganisms, including those that cause diseases.
When used in HVAC systems, UV lights “disinfect” the air that passes by or over them. They can also sanitize the surfaces where their light shines. An example is your air conditioner’s evaporator coils, which can be prone to microbial growth.
That said, consider investing in a UV light for your air conditioner if you:
Want Better IAQ
Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to how the air inside your home can influence your health. Exposure to poor IAQ can result in adverse health effects, such as:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Respiratory illnesses
- Heart disease
Your home can have poor IAQ if it contains high levels of pollutants, including:
- Biological substances like molds, mildew, bacteria, and viruses
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Harmful compounds such as asbestos, lead, pesticides, carbon monoxide (CO), and particle matter (PM)
UV lights can’t control all the airborne contaminants mentioned above but can help reduce biological ones. They can do so by damaging the microorganisms’ DNAs, rendering them unable to reproduce. Even if they try to, they’ll die.
So, with a UV light in your AC system, you can enjoy cool, refreshing air with fewer fungi and germs.
Have Mold Allergies
If you or a household member has mold allergies, consider installing UV lights in your air conditioning system. That can help minimize mold counts in your indoor air.
The fewer molds inside your home, the fewer spores they can produce. That then lowers their odds of being able to colonize and trigger more frequent allergy attacks.
It’s also worth noting that even if you don’t have mold allergies now, you can develop one with prolonged mold exposure. If you constantly get exposed to molds and their spores, you may also experience allergy-like symptoms, such as continuous sneezing, runny nose, and itchy and watery eyes. While not life-threatening, these adverse effects can still be harmful enough to interfere with your daily activities.
Wish to Minimize Other Mold Risks
Aside from allergies, molds can cause property damage if allowed to grow and spread. These microorganisms, after all, feed on anything organic, especially those with cellulose (e.g., wood and paper products).
Since UV lights can render molds unable to reproduce, they can help control the growth and spread of these microorganisms.
Have Concerns About Germs
UV lights also work against bacteria that can cause infectious diseases. If used in air purification technology, they can also help combat viruses and reduce VOCs, foul odors, dust, pollen, dander, and smoke. They can sanitize the air and the nearby surfaces they reach.
Other AC UV Light Benefits
UV lights, even when used alone and as-is, can help reduce foul odors inside your home. Again, this is because they can help control mold and bacteria growth, some of the most typical sources of unpleasant smells.
UV lights, whether stand-alone or those used in high-quality air purifiers, can also help maintain your AC’s efficient performance. That’s because they minimize contaminant buildup on your system’s integral components, such as the air filter, coils, fan, and ductwork. Such buildup makes your AC work harder (and use more energy), so the less of it inside your system, the more efficiently it can perform.
Air purifiers that use UV lights can also make heating and AC maintenance easier. You’ll worry less about your air filters or AC coils getting all clogged up within only a few weeks.
Lastly, UV lights can help extend your AC’s lifespan by removing many airborne contaminants that contribute to clogs and buildup in your system.
For example, they can reduce the likelihood of molds growing all over your AC’s evaporator coils. However, mold growth and debris buildup can cause the coils to freeze if allowed to happen. Frozen coils can’t cool the air properly, can cause water damage as the ice thaws, and even make your AC overheat and, ultimately, stop working.
Are UV Lights Safe?
UV lights are safe, provided that professional HVAC technicians install them in areas where the naked eye can’t easily see them. In air conditioning systems, these areas include the air handler, package unit, or ductwork. You can also have them mounted inside your furnace.
On the other hand, improper UV light installation, handling, and use can harm human eyes. For this reason, please ensure that only an experienced professional installs your UV lights. Likewise, kindly have them perform the replacement, which, depending on your AC’s usage, can be after one to two years from the lamps’ installation.
Breathe Easier With AC UV Lights
Installing UV light in AC systems shouldn’t be your only strategy to improve IAQ, but these devices’ germicidal effects can undoubtedly make a difference.
So, let our team of HVAC experts at Allied Air Conditioning & Heating help you choose and install HVAC UV lights and air purifiers in your New Port Richey home! You can count on our full-service HVAC company, as we’ve been providing top-notch services to our customers since 1985. You can also rest easy knowing that we guarantee all our services.
Connect with us today so we can start making your home’s indoor air cleaner and breathable again.
