HVAC UV Light Benefits

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/hvac-uv-light-benefits/

Ultraviolet (UV) light has powerful germ-killing properties and provides advantages to a wide range of sterilization applications such as the many HVAC UV light benefits. UV light emitted in the UVC range is proven to kill many types of microorganisms including bacteria and viruses, even mold and mildew. Other types of UV lamps such as UV ozone lamps also eliminate foul odor by eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air that cause odor and illness.

Most Important HVAC UV Light Benefits

The two most important benefits of UV lights in HVAC systems are that they prevent mold and mildew from accumulating inside the equipment, which makes your HVAC system run more efficiently and reduces energy consumption. The other greatest benefit is improving indoor air quality (IAQ) by eliminating bacteria and viruses that circulate throughout a home or office.

UV lights in HVAC systems provide a healthier living environment and improve efficient HVAC operation as well as providing the following benefits:

• Kills germs, viruses, and bacteria.

• Eliminates mold, mildew, and other allergens.

• Removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

• Eliminates foul odors.

• Improves HVAC efficiency.

• Reduces HVAC maintenance.

• Lowers monthly expenses and energy consumption.

HVAC UV Light Benefits Equipment

UVC germicidal lamps harness the power of UV radiation to kill microorganisms and when installed in heating, venting. and cooling (HVAC) systems, UV lamps provide many benefits. UVC radiation kills bacteria and mold that can build up inside an HVAC’s coils, which keep equipment cleaner, running more efficiently and requiring less maintenance. The inside of an HVAC unit is dark and damp, and a prime location for the build-up of mold, fungi, and bacteria. UV lights help to eliminate contaminants inside the HVAC system and in air-ducts that could be prone to spreading disease.

When UV lights are professionally installed inside an HVAC system, they target the coils where contamination is likely and prevent the growth and build-up of pollutants such as mold, mildew, pollen, dust, smoke, and soot. UV lights prevent the build-up of these contaminants which can reduce the performance of your HVAC unit and provide cleaner air to circulate throughout your home or office.

HVAC UV Light Benefits Indoor Air Quality

HVAC UV lights also prevent the spread of mold spores, fungi, bacteria, and viruses throughout your living area which significantly improves indoor air quality. UV lights help to prevent sickness from spreading by removing airborne pathogens before they spread throughout your living area. Killing these contaminants that cause illness at the source reduces allergies and asthma symptoms in people with asthma and respiratory illnesses.

When HVAC UV lights kill VOCs, they do more than just eliminate odor. VOCs are also known to cause many health problems including throat, nose, and eye irritation as well as headaches and nausea. By eliminating VOCs from circulating throughout your indoor air, you are improving the air quality and health of everyone in the building.

UVC Germicidal Lamps for HVAC

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high-tech germicidal UVC lamps designed and engineered for optimum germ-killing power. We offer UVC germicidal lamps in various sizes, types, and styles to suit any sterilization need including UV air disinfection, water and surface sterilization. Our lighting engineers offer custom designed and prototype solutions to meet the demands of OEMs large and small.

ASHRAE Standard to Control Infectious Aerosols and UVC Air Cleaning Technology

ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, was founded in 1959 as a result of the merger between the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHAE, and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers, ASRE. The mission of ASHRAE is to advance the science of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration to serve humanity for a sustainable and healthy environment for all.

ASHRAE Drafts New Standard to Control Infectious Aerosols

As part of this mission, ASHRAE has recently drafted a new standard, 241P, Control of Infectious Aerosols, that addresses indoor air quality and its contribution to the spread of airborne pathogen-based diseases. This new standard outlines the minimum requirements for HVAC systems with a focus on reducing the risk of transmission of airborne diseases, including influenza as well as COVID-19. Standard 241P is aimed at offering guidance to create healthier environments where people live, work, and play.

This pathogen mitigation standard 241P recognizes the importance of air changes per hour (ACH) to control and suppress the spread of airborne pathogens. One of the most important points of focus of the standard is that buildings would be required to achieve 4 to 6 full-volume air changes per hour.

Traditionally, ACHs have only referred to mechanical ventilation, swapping inside air with fresh outdoor air, although this new standard includes “air cleaners” as equivalent technologies that, when deployed in a building, can add to the ACH count. HEPA filters, as well as UVC air purification systems, are both considered mechanisms that add to the ACH count when deployed in buildings.

Standard 241P is expected to have final approval in June, with an anticipated publishing date in July 2023. The global COVID-19 pandemic was one catalyst to spur the development of the standard to protect people against the spread of pathogens by improving ventilation and indoor air quality in occupied buildings. This is the first standard of its kind that addresses the concept of mitigating pathogen spread and addresses long-range transmission with minimum requirements for filter and air cleaner safety and effectiveness, room air distribution, and equivalent outdoor air, including ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning. The areas of focus include system operation, maintenance tasks, residences, and healthcare facilities, as well as the development and implementation of Building Readiness Plans.

Air Cleaners to Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are various mechanisms that are proven to improve indoor air quality, including:

• Ventilation – mechanical air exchange

• Filtration – pushing air through a filter

• UVC lamps – efficient and effective for air purification

UVC and Far UVC lamps equate to significantly more air exchanges than mechanical ventilation alone. ASHRAE offers guidance in the usage of UVC disinfection lamps in HVAC systems in Chapter 62, Ultraviolet Air and Surface Treatment. UVC air purification is becoming increasingly popular due to concerns about the quality of indoor air and the ability of UVC radiation to interrupt the transmission of harmful pathogens, including influenza viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), pathogenic organisms as well as potential bioterrorism threats.

UVC lamps used in room settings such as upper room UVGI systems and air handling systems inactivate harmful microorganisms by damaging the structure of nucleic acids and proteins (DNA) at the molecular level. This inactivates the pathogen and makes them incapable of reproducing, thus rendering them harmless. Upper room, also called upper air, devices installed in occupied spaces control suspended bacteria, viruses, and fungi contained in droplet nuclei that have the potential to be transmitted through HVAC systems. In duct UVC systems installed in air handling units control pathogens and bioaerosols in recirculated air and help to control microbial growth on cooling coils and other mechanical surfaces.

AHSRAE Standards Help UVC System Designers of Air Purification Systems

UVC air purification systems rely on performance data from UV lamp manufacturers, including data from the germicidal lamp, the ballast, and fixtures, as well as the expertise of system designers. Many UV germicidal lamp manufacturers utilize a variety of methods to determine the UV dose delivered. ASHRAE offers standards that help UVC system designers to choose the correct components and rate equipment performance.

ASHRAE Standard 185.1, Method of Testing UV-C Lights for Use in Air-Handling Units or Air Ducts to Inactivate Airborne Microorganisms, establishes methods for testing and evaluating the effectiveness and the ability of UVC lights to inactivate airborne pathogens when installed in typical ventilation systems.

ASHRAE Standard 185.2, Method of Testing Ultraviolet Lamps for Use in HVAC&R Units or Air Ducts to Inactivate Microorganisms on Irradiated Surfaces, establishes similar test methods to measure the intensity of UV lamps on irradiated surfaces when operating in typical HVAC&R conditions.
UVC lamps have been used for years in HVAC systems, although are gaining in popularity and usage due to their high efficacy in eliminating the spread of airborne pathogens and harmful microorganisms.

UVC Lamps Proven Effective And Efficient In Air Handling Systems

According to a study published by Columbia University, far-UVC light rapidly reduces active airborne microbes to make indoor air quality essentially as safe as outdoor air. This study revealed that far UVC light bulbs took less than five minutes to reduce microbes by more than 98%, even as microbes were continually sprayed into the room. As long as the lights were on, the level remained very low. This study suggests that far UVC lamps installed in the ceiling could be an extremely effective passive technology to reduce person-to-person transmission of airborne mediated diseases such as influenza and COVID in indoor settings. This lowers the risk of the spread of these pathogens as well as mitigates the next pandemic

In this study, far UVC lamps provided the equivalent of 184 equivalent air exchanges per hour. As the efficacy of indoor air quality treatment systems is typically measured in terms of equivalent air changes per hour, this study showed that UVC lamps far surpass any other approach to disinfecting occupied spaces indoors.

Far UVC lamps are UV lamps designed to emit wavelengths in the range of 222 nm, compared to typical UVC germicidal lamps, which are commonly designed to emit wavelengths in the range of 254 nm. 254 nm lamps are highly effective at killing a variety of harmful germs, although human exposure can cause damage to the skin and eyes. 222 nm lamps are becoming more popular as they are proving to deliver the same or greater germicidal efficacy in many applications and are safer for use in occupied spaces.

Another study reported by the U.S. Department of Energy conducted by Edward Nardell, MD Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, showed that Mercury GUV (germicidal UV) lamps added the equivalent of 24 equivalent active air changes per hour and consumed the same energy as comparable fluorescent lights. Since the CDC recommends 6 to 12 ACH ventilation in hospital procedures and isolation rooms, this study shows that UVC germicidal lamps once again surpass requirements for air changes per hour.

Germicidal UV Lamps for Air Purification Systems

Germicidal UV lamps, including far UVC lamps, are highly effective and efficient and can treat a large volume of air at once. Upper room UVGI systems provide significant improvement to air changes per hour, and whole room far UVC systems additionally increase ACH activity to improve air quality and most of the room around occupants. HVAC UVC systems clean and treat the air with required air capture, whereas far UVC is less dependent upon air movement and disinfects air in the room around occupants.
Consult with an experienced UV lighting company, such as the leading global supplier, LightSources, to learn more.

Does UV Light Kill Candida Auris?

Candida Auris is a formidable fungal pathogen that poses a serious threat to healthcare facilities worldwide. As a resilient organism capable of causing severe infections, it is crucial to explore effective methods of eradicating it from surfaces.

Surface Sterilization: Harnessing the Power of UV Light to Combat Candida Auris

In recent years, the use of UV light has gained attention as a potential solution for combating this elusive fungus. One question that many healthcare professionals want to know is, does UV light kill Candida Auris? There are several scientific studies and evidence that explore Candida auris and the application of germicidal UV lamps for surface sterilization.

Understanding Candida Auris and its Spread

It is essential to understand the nature of Candida Auris and its mode of transmission to understand the most effective application of UV light to kill this harmful pathogen. Candida Auris primarily spreads through contaminated surfaces in healthcare settings. It can survive for extended periods on various surfaces, including medical equipment, furniture, and hospital room fixtures.

Candida auris is recognized as an emerging fungus that poses a significant global health risk to people worldwide. There are three primary reasons why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, is concerned about C. auris:

• It is frequently multidrug-resistant, which indicates that it is resistant to numerous antifungal medicines, which are often used to treat infections caused by Candida. There are some strains that show resistance to all three kinds of antifungals that are now accessible.

• It is challenging to identify using ordinary laboratory methods, and incorrect identification may occur in laboratories that do not have specific technology. A misunderstanding of this circumstance could result in incorrect management.

• Candida Auris has been responsible for outbreaks throughout many medical facilities. Because of this, it is essential to conduct a speedy diagnosis of C. auris in a patient who is currently being treated in a healthcare facility so that these facilities may take additional safety measures to prevent the infection from spreading.

The Power of UV Germicidal Lamps

Germicidal UV lamps have been widely used for disinfection purposes due to their ability to inactivate a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. UV-C light, with a wavelength range of 200-280 nanometers, is particularly effective in destroying the DNA and RNA of these pathogens, rendering them unable to replicate.

Scientific Evidence on UV Light and Candida Auris

Several studies have investigated the efficacy of UV light in eradicating Candida Auris. One notable study published by the National Institute of Health concludes that C Auris can effectively be killed with UV light surface sterilization, with the density of the C Auris, and the distance and time of UVC exposure strongly influencing the efficacy of UVC treatment to kill this harmful fungal pathogen. The researchers concluded that UV light can be a valuable tool in preventing the transmission of Candida Auris in healthcare environments.

Application of UV Light for Surface Sterilization

UV light can be applied for surface sterilization in various healthcare settings, including hospital rooms, operating theaters, and medical equipment. UV Germicidal lamps can be strategically installed to target high-touch surfaces, such as bed rails, door handles, and tables. By implementing regular UV disinfection cycles, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the presence of Candida Auris and other pathogens.

In the battle against Candida Auris, surface sterilization plays a vital role in preventing its transmission within healthcare settings. UV light, particularly UV-C irradiation from germicidal UV lamps, has demonstrated effectiveness in eradicating Candida Auris on surfaces. By harnessing the power of UVC light for surface sterilization, healthcare facilities can enhance their infection control measures and protect patients from this resilient fungal pathogen.

UV Protection Against Germs in Malls and Theaters

The global pandemic that started in 2020 created an urgency for public officials and business owners to protect people on their property and in confined spaces. While social distancing, handwashing, and mask wearing are all recommended measures to prevent the spread of disease, providing a sanitary environment where people gather is a must. Business owners increased cleaning and disinfecting measures and explored new sterilization techniques like ultraviolet (UV) light.

UV lamps designed to emit UV electromagnetic radiation in the UVC range have been used for decades to eliminate the threat of viruses, bacteria, and various harmful microorganisms. UVC germicidal lamps are used in air purification systems, water disinfection, and surface sterilization systems worldwide. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) has been used in upper room air disinfection systems for decades and was a popular measure to protect people against tuberculosis in the 1950s.

UV Germicidal Lamps Help the Entertainment Industry 

With much evidence to back up the effectiveness of UVC germicidal lamps, the entertainment industry has looked to UV technology to remain open during the pandemic and protect patrons. Research has shown that UVC radiation when emitted at the right wavelength and for the proper time period eliminates many types of viruses and bacteria including stubborn antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses including beta corona viruses such as MERS, SARS and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. 

Germicidal UV lamps are proven to help prevent airborne transmission of disease in air purification systems and can be used in HVAC systems as well as upper room UVGI systems.  Surface sterilization can include handheld countertop disinfection devices or sophisticated UV robots that roam areas of unoccupied spaces.  UV disinfection systems must utilize quality UVC germicidal lamps for maximum effectiveness.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high quality, high-tech UVC germicidal lamps. We design, engineer, and manufacture UV lamps for sterilization in a variety of applications and industries with custom development and prototype solutions available. Contact us to learn more about sourcing high-quality, long-lasting UVC germicidal lamps for malls, theaters, and public places.

UV Disinfection Lamps in HVAC Systems

Ultraviolet (UV) lamps designed to emit UVC radiation have long been used for effective disinfection and sterilization purposes. Lighting engineers re-create UVC light which is naked to the human eye, and the shortest wave of UV light that is fully absorbed by the ozone layer. UVC radiation packs powerful germ-killing properties and quickly kills a variety of viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms within seconds of contact.

UVC lights have been used in many disinfection applications for decades, such as air purification systems, water disinfection systems, and surface sterilization applications. 

Benefits of UVC Lamps in Air Purification Systems

UVC lamps in air purification systems prevent many airborne diseases by purifying the air and cleansing air from harmful contaminants while circulating and exposed to UVC lamps. UV lamps in HVAC systems are becoming more popular as many people realize the benefits of removing harmful contaminants from the air and preventing airborne disease.

Germicidal UV lamps in HVAC units provide additional benefits of protecting equipment and air condenser coils against the formation and buildup of mold and mildew. UVC lamps are known to prevent mold and mildew, which helps equipment to run smoother, more efficiently, and last longer.

How UVC Lamps Kill Airborne Viruses

UVC radiation quickly penetrates the DNA of harmful cells, altering the genetic makeup of these microorganisms, which renders them unable to reproduce. Cells that cannot reproduce are rendered harmless without the needed proteins to replicate or survive. Many studies show high efficacy with germ-killing properties of UVC germicidal lamps in air purification and HVAC systems.

UVC lamps should only be installed by a professional in HVAC systems as exposure to UVC radiation can be harmful to human eyes and skin. 

LightSources and valued partner LightTech are leading UV lamp global suppliers offering high-quality, high-tech germicidal lamps designed to meet specific disinfection requirements. We offer custom design and development with custom phosphor blends, prototype development, and OEM-oriented solutions. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about the many benefits of quality UVC lamps in HVAC systems.