Winter weather is here, and along with it, cold and flu season. Trapped together in such tight spaces, it’s no surprise why the incidence of illness rises during the cold weather season. Luckily, you can help prevent the spread of cold and flu germs with the addition of an indoor air quality system with UV light.
How Can A UV Air Purifier Prevent Colds & Flu?
You clean to keep bacteria and viruses off of surfaces in your home. But these germs are airborne as well, floating through the air, where they can be inhaled. Dry winter air exacerbates this issue, helping these illness-inducing particles to remain in the air far longer. With the help of your HVAC system and a UV air purifier, you can potentially remove them from the air, reducing the likelihood of you and your family becoming ill.
How Does A UV Air Purifier Work?
Bacteria and viruses are quite small, and vary in size significantly depending on species. Most bacteria range from 1-10 micrometers in size (compared to a 70-micrometer human hair). However, some bacteria and most viruses are much smaller, from less than 0.01-0.2 micrometers. These small viruses and bacteria can be a challenge for air purifiers and even HEPA home air filters, but this is where UV light air purifiers shine. When a UV light air purifier is added to your home heater, microbes can be killed or inactivated with exposure to ultraviolet light. However, high power and exposure time are key, making the purchase of a quality UV air purification system essential for efficacy.
How Do Other Air Purification Technologies Compare?
In addition to UV light, other technologies can also support healthy air in your home. How do they stack up against UV lights?
- Whole House Humidifiers
Adding a whole-house humidifier to your HVAC system and keeping your home in the ideal relative humidity range of 30-50% can help control winter germs. With some moisture in the air, particles cannot remain airborne as long. Studies have also shown in the 40-60% relative humidity range, about 70% of airborne viruses can be inactivated. - HEPA Air Filters
HEPA home air filters are a great way to remove irritating allergens, larger bacteria and viruses, and other harmful particles from the air. However, some are too small to be trapped by HEPA filters, making a UV light an ideal companion.
Are you not feeling so good? Fight back against winter germs with the help of the local heating and air conditioning service pros at H & H Heating & Air Conditioning. Learn more about an indoor air quality system today.
This blog was originally posted on https://www.delcohvac.com/how-uv-air-purifiers-help-stop-winter-colds/
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