Mold, nature’s tool for breaking down organic material, exists in just about every environment on the planet, including your home. Instead of allowing it to wreak havoc indoors, you can prevent mold growth using safe and chemical-free UV (ultraviolet) lights.
UV light is a wave length found in sunlight that alters the DNA of bacteria, viruses and mold spores. It renders them sterile, stopping their proliferation upon exposure.
When UV lights are placed inside your ductwork system or in the blower compartment, they target any organic airborne particulates. This exposure damages them to the point where they can’t reproduce. As a result, installing UV lights is an efficient and convenient way to wipe out populations of potentially irritating and harmful mold.
Mold can damage and even rot the materials from which your home is made, as well as your carpeting and furniture, rendering the insulation in your home less effective. Mold is also a known allergy trigger and the presence of black mold poses a hazard to anyone who comes into contact with it.
UV lights can prevent mold growth on evaporator coils, which can improve your cooling system’s energy efficiency. In the cooling mode, the coil condenses water from your home’s air and creates an ideal environment for mold growth. As it grows, it can cover the coil, reducing its ability to remove heat.
Maintaining a UV light system in your ductwork and blower compartment is fairly easy. Just dust and clean your bulbs once a year to maintain optimum UV levels. Before servicing the lights, make sure they’re off to prevent eye damage.
If you’d like to learn more about using and installing UV lights to prevent mold growth, contact Arpi’s Industries, Ltd. We’ve been providing top-notch HVAC and indoor air quality services for Calgary homeowners for more than 50 years.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Calgary, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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