How Do UV Light Indoor Air Quality Products Work?

April 19, 2021

UV lamps emit UVC radiation to disinfect nonporous surfaces, air, and water. For many years, UVC radiation has been used to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria such as tuberculosis. Thanks to their ability to kill microorganisms, these lamps are referred to as germicidal lamps. What Determines the Effectiveness of UV Lamps? The ability of a lamp to destroy microorganisms has a few limitations. For starters, for a lamp to damage the coating of viruses and the DNA of other microorganisms, the organism has to be directly exposed to the light. The lamp needs to shine on the organisms to damage their coat or their DNA. Most of these units install in the HVAC system of your home where they clean air that flows over the coils or through the ducts. The duration of exposure also determines how effectively the lamp kills microorganisms. Most of the lamps used in homes are of low dose, and they may take longer to inactivate microorganisms. As such, the air needs to circulate through the HVAC system severally for the lamp to inactivate all the microbes. The wavelength of the UV light emitted also determines the effectiveness of the lamp. Short-wavelength light (UVC)...

View Article

Read More

Are Modern Air Conditioners More Energy Efficient?

April 14, 2021

Your air conditioner is a crucial piece of equipment in your home. It regulates temperatures in your residence and keeps you cool and comfortable. However, an air conditioning system can consume a considerable amount of energy, especially if the unit is old and inefficient. In recent years, manufacturers have been working to optimize the efficiency of AC units. Here are some of the ways modern air conditioners are more efficient than their traditional counterparts. Modern Air Conditioners and Energy Efficiency Ratings SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It quantifies the amount of energy your AC unit uses to cool your house. The higher the rating, the less energy your air conditioner is likely to consume. Even though they are often more expensive than older models, you can save by reducing your energy bills. The EPA minimum standard for a cooling system in Missouri is a 13 SEER rating. However, the number can go up to 25. The most energy-efficient systems today can attain ratings of 20 or more. Most homes still have cooling systems with a SEER rating of 10 or less. As the system ages, its efficiency goes down considerably. If your AC unit is older than a...

View Article

Read More