Ultraviolet light is often seen as a destructive force. People are advised to take shelter from the sun as the UV rays can harm the skin and cause cancer. They can also cause discoloration and damage to property with prolonged exposure. An example would be faded car interiors due to outdoor parking. However, there are also positive effects that can be quite useful. The rays can actually kill germs. UV light sterilizers are compact units that are able to produce the rays for the purpose of killing viruses and bacteria in their immediate vicinity. They are usually placed in strategic areas around HVAC systems to help clean the air as it passes through.
Indoor Air Quality
This is important because indoor air quality can degrade over time. Dust and dirt can get inside the system through various openings. Their presence, along with moisture and darkness, creates an environment where fungi and bacteria can thrive. These can circulate with the air throughout the house, increasing the risk of respiratory ailments. If there are little kids and seniors in the house, then they can be vulnerable to these. Filters should be replaced every few months as recommended or as needed based on their condition. UV light sterilizers can also be installed to fight germs and keep the air passages clean.
How They Work
The process is known as ultraviolet germicidal radiation. UV light has the ability to destroy microorganisms from within by damaging their nucleic acids and so disrupting their DNA. As a result, they will no longer be able to function well on a cellular level. They will die on their own and no longer pose a threat. The sterilizers look like long and thin sticks that glows. Since they can kill germs without physical contact, they are ideal solutions for various applications including air and water sanitation. They are also used in medical sanitation to ensure that sensitive tools and rooms are not contaminated.
This is not something new. The capacity of UV light to sterilize was discovered by scientists as early as the late 1800s. It was already being used to disinfected water in 1910 although the system was far from perfect. It took another few decades before water treatment systems adopted the technique on a large scale. Thanks to advances in technology and the decline of costs, better implementations have been developed and reliability has increased. The sterilizers for air heating and cooling systems are compact, affordable, and effective. They can be used with confidence in homes, offices, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities for better air quality.