Are UV Air Purifiers Worth It?
As a responsible homeowner, we at Alps Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. know that you want to do all you can to protect the health of your family. One possible health maintenance measure you may have heard of is filtering and purifying your Anaheim home’s air.
Though this sounds good on the surface, it’s likely you have questions about the effectiveness of such measures. Specifically, filters that use UV light to kill harmful bacteria in the air are often touted as an effective way to protect your family from illnesses. The question is, though, whether or not these filters are truly effective and worth their cost. Keep reading to better understand more about UV filters.
How Do UV Air Purifiers Work?
Bacteria, like all living things, contains DNA that allows it to live. If that DNA is damaged, then the bacteria can no longer function in the way that it’s intended to, meaning it then poses no threat to humans. A UV light seeks to damage this DNA by using UV-C light that disrupts the DNA using a high level of energy.
The important thing to understand about a UV air purifier is that it typically can’t do its job by itself. Since its only job is to destroy DNA, it can’t actually remove any contaminants from the air; instead, it can only render them harmless. If the light can’t reach the bacteria, it can’t work its magic.
If dust and other particles are in the way, the UV air purifier could be rendered useless. That’s why almost all UV air purifiers are paired with powerful physical filtration to remove all barriers between the UV light and the bacteria and other pathogens. The good news is that these multiple filters result in spectacularly clean air that everyone can enjoy.
Are UV Air Purifiers Effective?
The capacity for UV light to damage DNA is well-known. This same concept is what makes prolonged exposure to the sun so dangerous, as the UV light from the sun can damage the DNA in your skin, leading to skin cancer. If UV light can have an effect on humans, you can imagine, then, how much of an effect it can have on single-celled organisms like bacteria.
Therefore, when combined with a physical filter, UV air purifiers are indeed effective. Though portable units can offer some benefits, the most pronounced benefits are felt when using a whole-home UV air purifier installed by Alps Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.. These filters are effective because of the large amount of air that moves over the filter during a given time period.
Typically, whole-home filters are placed after the main air filter and before the blower fan. This ensures that the air entering your HVAC system is completely pure, allowing it to run more efficiently and effectively. Additionally, this allows the highest volume of air to move through the filter, thus removing the largest number of contaminants from your home’s air.
What Can a UV Air Purifier Combat?
As mentioned, a UV air purifier is quite effective at neutralizing the threat that bacteria represent. In addition to these pathogens, UV air purifiers can neutralize other common threats in the home. These include viruses, allergens, and mold. Essentially, anything that can cause an adverse reaction in humans that can fit through the fibers of a mechanical filter can be neutralized by a UV air purifier.
What About Installation?
Installing a new whole-home air filter and purifier can be a big job. That’s why it’s recommended that you let the pros at Alps Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. do the work for you.
One big challenge when installing a whole-home unit is that it occupies a fairly large space. If your HVAC system components are housed in a utility closet, it will require careful planning to ensure everything fits in the closet and still has adequate ventilation space.
Fortunately, we at Alps Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. take the health and safety of you and your family seriously. That’s why we’ll work with you to find a UV air purifier that fits in your space and your budget. We want everyone in the Anaheim area to be breathing clean, healthy air whenever they’re at home.
Of course, our commitment to your comfort doesn’t stop with clean air. That’s why we offer thermostats, duct design, indoor air quality testing, attic insulation services, and other energy efficiency upgrades. Plus, if you have a maintenance, repair, or installation need with your air conditioner or furnace, we can take care of that, too.
Customers love our family-first approach to all that we do. Our third-generation family business takes pride in offering personalized service to each customer. That’s why we received a 2019 Super Service Award from Angie’s List and consistently earn 5-star reviews from our growing list of satisfied customers. If you’re ready to improve the quality of your home’s air, give us a call today.