Q. I’ve heard of using an ultraviolet light to keep the air clean in my HVAC system. How does this work?
A. Ultraviolet rays are the reason people wear sun block in the summer. In the same way that those rays can be harmful to our skin, they can also be harmful to other biological organisms. The UV rays can penetrate cells and damage their molecular bonds. A UV light works the same way, improving indoor air quality by radiating harmful bio-organisms that live in the home’s air and duct work. When installed in an HVAC system, not only does a UV light render these microorganisms harmless, including mold and mildew, it prevents these organisms from reproducing. The overall effect of using a UV light in your ductwork can benefit your health as well as your budget, because it also inhibits these unwanted organisms from growing on coils, which can restrict airflow.