Don’t worry, the title of this article isn’t the beginning of a Jerry Seinfeld set. We get asked quite often, “Is UV air purification worth having?” Our answer is yes, but that has every bit as much to do with maintaining the overall quality of your HVAC system as it does purifying the air.
Yes, UV air purification systems do purify the air being cycled into your home in conjunction with traditional medium filtration. And purified air is safer air. Purified air is air that is less likely to contribute to allergy reactions, is less likely to exacerbate respiratory issues and is less likely to adversely affect the immune systems of the people and animals residing on your home. On that basis alone, it’s a good addition to an HVAC system.
But what they do for your HVAC system is equally important. HVAC systems move a lot of air. In the process of doing so, the system takes in microbial matter which settles on system components. This is commonly known as microbial biofilm, and the build up of this biofilm in your HVAC system over time can greatly reduce your system’s efficiency. That’s where having UV purification can make a massive difference in the lifespan of your HVAC system.
UV air purification systems work particularly well on microbial matter, which means less of it can stay in the system and settle on system components as biofilm. This not only results in cleaner air, but components such as coils and fans that aren’t bogged down by the weight of biofilm. UV air purification systems (as an HVAC add-on) can go a long way toward ensuring your HVAC system will be free of most organic matter and performing optimally. Most UV purification systems work best when their bulbs are changed every 12 to 18 months, though some systems have bulbs that can last longer.
If you have questions about UV air purification, your homes’ HVAC system or are interested in pricing a new system with UV air purification, please give us a call.
