At A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we proudly offer a range of solutions to improve your indoor air quality, including products such as air filters and scrubbers. Another type of effective device for strengthening indoor air quality and eliminating contaminants and pollutants is ultraviolet or UV lights.

What Do UV Lights Do?

When installed with your HVAC system, an ultraviolet light can kill various microorganisms that are too small to be trapped by the average filter, making them a leading non-chemical way to sanitize and disinfect your home. Plus by zapping particulates as they enter your HVAC equipment, UV lights help purify your air before it is even recirculated around your house. These products come in a variety of wavelength ranges on the light spectrum, and are compatible with most heating and air conditioning ductwork.

Keep reading to learn more about how UV lights improve your indoor air quality, and remember that for all your home comfort needs, our skilled technicians at A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical have always got you covered.

3 Ways UV Lights Can Upgrade Your Indoor Air Quality

1. Eliminating Mold & Mildew Growth: Given the fluctuating temperatures produced by your HVAC system, it’s no wonder that mold and mildew can start to build up in your air ducts over time. Like any dank, dark area, mold and mildew may thrive in your ductwork, unless you do something like call for professional duct cleaning or install a UV light. UV lights prevent mold and mildew from growing in the first place, and if there are any mold spores being circulated by your HVAC system, a UV light can kill them before they are spread throughout your house.
2. Reduces Germs, Bacteria & Viruses: Everyday, there are a ton of microscopic, biological contaminants in our indoor air that we cannot see. These include germs, bacteria, viruses, and various other pathogens. UV lights perform germicidal irradiation, thereby deactivating the DNA of viruses and bacteria, effectively eliminating their presence and preventing them from multiplying once they have entered your home. In the times we live in, you can never be too careful about your health, so to help increase the general well-being of your household, installing a UV light is always a good choice.
3. Stops the Spread of Nasty Smells & VOCs: A volatile organic compound, or VOC, is any kind of organic chemical that has a high vapor pressure at room temperature. What does this mean? Essentially, a VOC can be any kind of non-solid, such as vapor, gas, or fumes, that enter your air supply. While many homeowners are not aware of it, the average house is filled with a number of VOCs at any given time. These can include everything from tobacco smoke to paint fumes to cooking exhaust. While you may be able to eliminate some VOCs by turning on a fan or opening a window, getting rid of them on a largescale basis can be extremely difficult without additional help. With a UV light working in conjunction with your heater/air conditioner, you may not be able to get rid of all VOCs, but you can reduce the presence of harmful ones that are often circulated by your HVAC system. Plus, ultraviolet lights help eliminate odors that come with VOCs, such as smoke and food smells, not to mention pet odors and other organic scents.

Indoor air pollutants can take a real toll on your health over time, so to strengthen your indoor air quality and protect your household, call A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical now. We are available by phone at (503) 694-3396, or you can send us a message online.

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