How UV Lights In Your HVAC System Can Help You Survive Flu Season This Year

The change to winter invariably brings with it the year’s cold and flu season. While you and your family will not be able to avoid all exposure to the viruses that cause the flu and other discomforts, adding ultraviolet (UV) light treatment to your home’s air filtration system will reduce the number of these troublesome microorganisms that invade your living spaces.

Most home air purification and filtration systems use a high-efficiency filter to trap and hold airborne contaminants such as dust, mold, pollen and dander. These filters can also capture microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria. Filtration systems like these are effective, but a UV light system adds a second powerful level of protection against microorganisms that filters alone cannot provide.

UV light cannot be seen by the human eye, but is a very strong and effective disinfectant. The medical industry uses it to sterilize surgical instruments and operating rooms. UV light has been shown to reduce the spread of tuberculosis in hospital wards and waiting areas. A high-efficiency air filter in combination with germicidal UV lights will dramatically reduce the presence of microorganisms that transmit the flu and other diseases.

Exposure to UV light kills organic matter and microorganisms such as viruses, mold spores, bacteria, germs and other tiny living organisms. At the microscopic level, the light causes irreparable damage to the organism’s DNA. It usually takes only a few seconds of exposure to kill bacteria and related microorganisms, but they must be directly exposed to the light for it to be effective.

UV purification systems can be installed directly inside your forced-air furnace or air conditioner. As microorganisms flow along with the air and through the air purifier, they are exposed to the UV light, which destroys them and eliminates them from your indoor air.

Since 1976, Comfort Services and Total Comfort Service Center have provided residential and commercial heating and air conditioning services to customers in South Carolina's Midlands. Contact us today for information on UV lights and how they can help keep you and your family healthier during this year’s flu season.