UV or ultraviolet light is one of nature's best sanitizers, killing bacteria, viruses, and mold pretty much on contact or in a few seconds. For this reason, hospitals and doctors have used UV light and UV air purification systems to treat skin conditions and create clean air rooms for many years. UV light creates hydroxyl ions or OH- ions when UV-C rays strip one of the H's from H2O or water molecules in the air. These hydroxyl ions have a charge that destroys bacteria, viruses, and similar organisms on contact, without producing or using harmful ozone.
And many people are now using only whole house in-duct UV/ultraviolet light air purification systems in their air conditioner ducts, thinking this is all they need for effective home air cleaning, allergy/asthma control, and good health. But when only some of their allergy/sinusitis/asthma symptoms are alleviated, UV light air purification systems often get a bad name as some think they 'don't work'.
Truth is, while in-duct UV air treatment systems (using 36 watt bulbs minimum) are very good for instantly killing the bacteria, mold, viruses, other germs, even algae as air passes by, ultraviolet light is not a filter--it does not trap anything, such as the destroyed bacterial cells, virus particles, mold spores, or any allergy/asthma aggravating chemical molecules that may be in the air. And the typical furnace or air conditioner filter doesn't have a pore size small enough to catch most of these particles, and most don't have activated carbon, either, and can't remove irritating household chemical residues responsible for many allergy/asthma attacks.
So, even though the bacteria, mold spores, viruses, dust mite particles, etc. are technically 'dead', without a HEPA filter, these dead 'parts' or remaining particles are often still floating in the air. And most of these germ 'parts'/particles are still powerful allergy and asthma triggers. That is why UV light is a powerful air sterilizer or sanitizer, but only one part of an effective air purification system. To truly sanitize the air, you have to kill, trap, and absorb-using UV light PLUS the right filters.
To trap tiny bacteria, virus, mold spores and other particles, you need a true HEPA filter, and to absorb chemical residues found in most homes (from cleaning products, paints, etc), you need activated carbon. Many quality air purifiers have HEPA filters, activatedcarbon, and UV light systems all in one, such as air purifiers from Aller Air. An in-duct UV light air purification system plus a HEPA air purifier that has activated carbon (such as those from Aller Air) will usually take care of over 99% indoor air/allergy/asthma/sinus problems. Austin Air is another very good air purifier brand to consider, with excellent HEPA filters and 15 pounds of activated carbon/zeolite. At very least, using an in-duct UV light air purification system in your air conditioner duct work and an allergy-rated air conditioner filter (1500 rating minimum) will make a huge difference in your home's indoor air quality.
Duct mounted UV air cleaners are very effective, but to get really clean air in your home and truly prevent/eliminate air quality problems, allergies, asthma, etc., we recommend that you 1) make sure the duct mounted UV air cleaner system uses 36 watt bulbs (minimum wattage), 2) add a quality air purifier or two to the team, with HEPA filters and a good amount of activated carbon-either a portable unit or a purifier that retro-fits to your HVAC system, and 3) for maximum protection, add an allergy rated filter to your air conditioner, as well.
If you have any questions, please see the author box below. Our air quality experts will be happy to help.
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