UV Light Air Conditioner Benefits

Weighing the cost against the benefits, it is difficult to find a downside to installing a UV light air conditioner purification system in any commercial, industrial, municipal, medical, or residential building. UV germicidal light, specifically at the frequency of 253.7 nanometers (commonly referred to as 254 nm), effectively eliminates a host of pernicious microorganisms, such as fungi, bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, parasites, and dust mites.

The result is, at the very minimum, cleaner air for residents, employees, visitors, and others throughout the structure serviced by the air conditioner. In addition, UV germicidal lamps prevent build up on equipment which prolongs the useful life of air conditioning systems and enhances efficient operation.

UV Light AC System Proven to Reduce Fungi

UV light air conditioner purification systems provide many benefits and efficiencies. UV radiation is extremely effective at eliminating harmful pathogens that can collect on air conditioner units and spread through circulated air. In a recent scientific study evaluating the effectiveness of UV radiation to eliminate fungi in air handling units, a 286,000-square-foot office building in Oklahoma was equipped with a UV system on the main air handling units of two floors while two other floors had no lamps installed. Readings were taken from the study floor and the control floor to detect the concentration levels of mold and fungi since installation.

More than a dozen fungi species were present in May prior to installation of the UV system. When taken again in September, the readings on the floor with the UV system had decreased, while nearly every taxon increased its concentration on the control floor, in a couple of instances nearly 100-fold.

Health Benefits of UV Light for Air Conditioning Systems

UV lights in air handling units and air conditioner systems remove harmful pathogens from the units and from circulated air which provides significant health benefits. Some of the symptoms and ailments alleviated by the purified air include common colds; eye, nose, and throat irritation; allergies; headaches; nausea; COPD; bronchitis; asthma; lung infections; pulmonary disease; autoimmune deficiencies; and cancer.

The positive ripple effects of installing a UV air sterilization system are legion, and many of the benefits are long-term:

• Freeing a workplace from airborne germs, pollutants, and irritants makes for a healthier workforce, and consequently decreases absenteeism and increases productivity.

• UV purification systems have been proven to remove many industry-specific toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced during business operations.

• At 254 nm, the UV light produces no ozone, which can erode copper wiring and tubing. UVC ozone lamps are available that with proper installation, provide air sterilization and odor control.

• UV light prohibits the accumulation of microorganisms, mold, and mildew that can clog the passageways of an AC system, making the motor work harder and shortening the useful life of the mechanics.

• With the destruction of mold and mildew, their associated odors are eliminated.

• The UV germicidal light system lowers energy costs by continuously cleaning the air conditioner components of mold and biofilms, particularly the coils, drain pans, and vent surfaces.

• UV light systems are extremely low maintenance, saving time and money.

• UV systems can work at optimum efficiency throughout a wide range of temperatures, from roughly 40°to 120° F (4° to 48° C). LightSources can custom-design systems to work in higher temperatures as required.

LightSources provides only the highest quality germicidal UVC lamps, proven to outlast and outperform comparable lamps. The experts at LightSources can help design the most effective and most economical UV lamps for air purification systems for use in any business, government facility, home, or other building.

222 nm UV Light: Far UVC Effectiveness and Safety

Ultraviolet light in the UVC range is proven to have germicidal properties, with 222 nm UV light showing high efficacy and safety. Standard UVC germicidal lamps emit wavelengths at 254 nm, proven to have high germicidal effectiveness by breaking the DNA bonds inside the nucleus of harmful microbes and pathogens. 254 nm UV lamps, however, are not safe to use when humans are present and pose risks to damaging skin and eyes.

222 UV lamps are showing the same germicidal properties and are much safer than 254 nm lamps due to the way 222 nm wavelengths are absorbed by the protein layer of cells. 222 nm UV light is also known as Far UVC and is considered safe to use around humans without risk of human exposure to skin or eyes.

222 nm UV Light Effectiveness

Both 222 nm and 254 nm UV lamps emit UVC wavelengths that inactivate viruses and bacteria. 222 nm UV light penetrates the microbe’s cell nucleus and breaks the DNA bond to prevent replication, thus rendering the cell harmless, the same as 254 nm UV lamps. 222 nm UV lamps go even further than inactivating the cell, however, and actually destroy pathogens.

When standard UVC lamps inactivate pathogens, there is a possibility that they could be reconstituted through a process called photoreactivation. This is not possible with 222 nm UV light which is known to deactivate and destroy most harmful human pathogens, including bacterium, viruses, fungus, mold, protozoa, and prions. Far UVC light has been the focus of many studies for over a decade, with many research studies showing high efficacy against a wide range of known harmful pathogens, including alpha and beta coronaviruses, influenza (H1N1), and adenovirus.

222 nm, Far UVC light is shown to safely and effectively inactivate human airborne coronaviruses, with research showing effectiveness at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID 19. The study showed that even low doses of far UVC light inactivated 99.9% of aerosolized coronavirus. Much research has been conducted on the effectiveness of standard germicidal lamps for SARS-CoV-2, showing that UV light does kill COVID in air and on surfaces.

Far UVC lamps designed to emit 222 nm are also called Excimer lamps and are in use today in many applications, providing UVC germicidal protection with significantly safer operation.

222 nm UV Lamps: Excimer Lamp Effectiveness

Excimer lamps that emit 222 nm UV light are produced by creating a high-voltage discharge in a glass tube lamp with the proper mixture of gases to create 222 nm when energized. The intensity of the output can vary depending on the input power, and an optical filter can be included to ensure that harmful wavelengths above 230 nm are removed. 222 nm Excimer lamps are showing high effectiveness at killing viruses on surfaces, in the air, and safely inactivating airborne human coronaviruses.

Safety of 222 nm Far UVC Light

222 nm Far UVC light is highly effective at destroying harmful pathogens and is opening the door for many uses beyond traditional germicidal lamps due to the ability to operate safely in the presence of humans. 254 nm light used in standard germicidal lamps is absorbed by DNA to kill harmful cells but is not easily absorbed by proteins, which means it can penetrate deeper into human skin and damage the DNA of actively dividing skin cells which can lead to cancer.

222 nm UV light, however, is also highly absorbed by DNA but is also absorbed by proteins, which are contained in the outer membrane shell of all viruses and bacteria. This increases the effectiveness of 222 nm light against some microbes while also making it much safer for use around humans. Since 222 nm light is absorbed by proteins, it will not fully penetrate into the thick protein-rich layer of human cells.

The outer layer of human skin consists of dead skin cells with no active cells and provides an armored layer against 222 nm light. A similar layer of cells protects the eyes. Since 222 nm UV light never reaches the DNA of actively dividing cells, it is safer for use and human exposure.

UV Light Disinfection Effectiveness, Safety, and Lamp Types

UV light disinfection has been around for decades and is a proven effective method to eliminate germs with the use of a UV disinfection lamp.

What Is a UV Disinfection Lamp?

UV lights for disinfecting are used for various disinfection applications to reduce pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. UV disinfection lighting also prevents mold and mildew, which helps to prevent foul odor caused by mold spores or bacteria. UV light disinfection provides a no-touch, chemical-free method of killing many types of harmful germs in the air, on surfaces, and in water.

How Effective Is UV Light Disinfection?

UVC radiation has been proven highly effective in reducing the spread of many types of viruses and bacteria, such as tuberculosis. A UV disinfection lamp is often called a “germicidal” lamp for this reason. Since the onset of the most recent COVID-19 global pandemic that started in 2020, many people have wanted to know if UV disinfection lighting kills the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, the UVC radiation found in quality UV disinfection lamps has been shown to destroy the outer protein coating of the SARS-coronavirus, which is a different variation from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Research is ongoing to determine the effectiveness of UV light disinfection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and many studies show positive results.  UVC radiation has been proven to be highly effective at eliminating various pathogens. As reported in a study issued by Biological Consulting Services, the following harmful pathogens were effectively eliminated with a UV light disinfectant:

• Polio Virus LSc 1 – 99.99% reduction

• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) – 99.99 reduction

• Influenza A H1N1 – 99.999% reduction

• Salmonella species, 6 variations – 99.99% reduction

• SARS-CoV-2 virus – 99.999% reduction

UV light disinfection is proven highly effective in eliminating these harmful pathogens and many others. It is important to work with an experienced UVC disinfection lamp manufacturer to ensure the lamp emits the proper wavelengths for effective disinfection.

Limitations of UV Lights for Disinfecting

To achieve the most reliable disinfection UV light provides, it is important to understand the limitations in the safe handling of a UV disinfection lamp. UVC radiation can only inactivate a pathogen, virus, or bacteria with direct, line-of-sight exposure. Surfaces that contain dust, soil, or bodily fluids may not receive the full amount of inactivation of pathogens as the contaminated surface can block full exposure of the disinfection lamp.

Direct exposure

In addition to the requirement for direct exposure, the dosage and duration of exposure to UVC radiation can vary depending on the surface area and the type of virus or bacteria. Many UV disinfection lamps sold for home use are designed to emit a very low dose of UVC radiation which could take even longer to potentially inactivate pathogens.

Safety concerns

Direct exposure to UV disinfection lamps can also cause harm to human skin and eyes. A UV disinfection lamp should not be used in the direct vicinity of human exposure due to these safety concerns. This is one reason why UV disinfection lamps are often used inside air ducts and HVAC systems to purify the air and eliminate harmful airborne germs without risking harmful exposure to humans.

Using UV disinfection lighting in air vents and HVAC systems is a common and safe way for many people and businesses to experience the benefits of UVC germicidal radiation without any of the risks. Disinfection UV light installed in HVAC systems provides many benefits, which include:

• Purifies and improves indoor air quality

• Sterilizes and eliminates viruses, bacteria, and mold

• Provides 99.99% surface disinfection

• Improves efficiency of HVAC equipment

• Disinfects coils in the drain pan

• No touch, no chemical disinfection

Air disinfection UV light systems are one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful airborne pathogens.

Not all UV lights for disinfecting are created in the same way, and effective UVC germicidal lamps must emit a very specific wavelength. 254 nm lamps have been the standard wavelength for germicidal effectiveness, although far UVC 222 nm lamps are gaining in popularity due to many advantages. Far UVC, Excimer lamps provide the same germicidal effectiveness, if not greater, in some applications while causing less damage to skin and eyes.

This blog post appeared originally here