Germicidal UV Lights
Here in the Tennessee Valley it seems like most days the weather is either hot and humid or cool and rainy. Either way, it’s damp, and that means we’ve always got to watch out for mold. We know that it can infest our homes due to wet carpets or leaking roofs, but did you know that mold could also be coming into your house from your air conditioning unit? Upgrading your HVAC with a germicidal UV light can kill that mold before it ever has a chance to invade your home.
Inside of your air conditioner, mold can thrive in the dark, moist, cool environment of the cooling coils. As the mold grows on the coils, it decreases their efficiency, and if it grows too much, it can even decrease your air conditioner’s airflow. Eventually the coils will have to be cleaned and that can be expensive. So preventing the mold from growing in the first place by installing a UV light saves money and keeps your AC operating at peak efficiency.
But what may be even more important is that preventing mold from growing in your AC also helps to prevent mold blowing into your house whenever the AC runs! Airborne mold can cause a range of health problems, especially in children, senior citizens, and people who have asthma. According to the CDC, those sensitive to mold can experience symptoms such as “nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing” and eye or skin irritation as well. A study by the Institute of Medicine found that exposure to mold can also cause asthma symptoms in those who have asthma.
Mold can even affect your pets. According to vetinfo.com, dogs with mold allergies frequently develop skin irritation. They’ll scratch constantly, chew themselves raw, and develop bald, scaly patches. They can also suffer from the same respiratory symptoms that people get, as well as chronic ear infections.
UV lights have long been used in facilities such as hospitals, water treatment plants, and manufacturing clean rooms to kill off mold and bacteria. Now you can use this same technology at home to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency as well as your family’s health and comfort. Your kids—and dogs—will thank you!