Many of us spend the majority of our time indoors. What many don’t realize is the quality of the air inside your home (according to the US Environmental Protection Agency) can often be up to 10 times more polluted than the air outside.
When your heating and cooling system is running, it acts as the catalyst for recirculating the air throughout your home - the air that can contain allergens and contaminants like pet dander, mold, dust, gases, odors, bacteria, and viruses.
Especially during the colder months when we spend less time outdoors and more time inside where it’s warm, we’re at more of a risk for contracting airborne illnesses like the dreaded seasonal cold or flu.
While many of us know it’s important to practice healthy habits including regularly washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, even these efforts sometimes aren’t enough. If you’re breathing air that is contaminated with the cold and flu virus or bacterial pneumonia, your chances for infection are significantly increased.
So what can you do to improve your air?
The best way to keep the air clear is to stop the germs from spreading. Outside in nature, this happens through ionization and UV energy from the sun. UV light has been proven for decades to effectively disinfect air, surfaces, and water. Understanding the benefits of UV energy has made it possible to apply this same principle for use in hospitals, labs, nursing homes, schools, office buildings, and even residential settings.
By installing UV germicidal lamps in your central HVAC system you can reduce your risk of getting sick. Germicidal UV lamps eliminate the germs that traditional and HEPA air filtration cannot. Microorganisms like the cold and flu virus are too small to be trapped by these methods of filtration. Ultraviolet energy, at the right wavelength, is lethal to viruses, bacteria, and mold spores of any size.
Microorganisms are damaged when they pass by the light and are exposed to the UV energy produced by the lamp. Essentially, when the microorganisms are exposed to the light, the genetic material of the microorganism is deconstructed and prevents them from reproducing – rendering it harmless.
What are the benefits of using a germicidal UV lamp?
When a germicidal UV lamp is properly installed, your indoor air quality will be better and you will be healthier. Using ultraviolet technology is a safe and effective non-chemical approach to air purification. Once the lamp is installed, it requires very low maintenance.
UV lights are also great because unlike other sanitary methods, the pathogens and microorganisms cannot develop a resistance to the light. This means the UV light will always be an effective method of sterilizing the air in your home.
While UV lamps are certainly effective, it is still important to continue using an air filter with your HVAC system. They are important for trapping larger particulates like dust and pet hair that can trigger allergy and/or asthma symptoms and significantly affect the efficiency of your heating or cooling unit.
What Else Can You Do?
While UV lamps are extremely effective at cleaning your air of the harmful germs that can make you sick, your options for clean air don’t end there. If you haven’t done so before, consider having the air in your home tested and monitored to help you determine the cleanliness and safety of the air you breathe every day. Scheduling an air quality analysis can help you identify problems leading to poor air quality and offer solutions for fixing them. The health and safety of you and your family is undoubtedly important. At Pippin Brothers, we understand this and we place a high value on the wellness and comfort of our customers. That’s why we offer only the best air quality solutions and maintenance for improving the air you and your loved ones breathe every day.