UV Light Air Purifiers: How They Work and Their Benefits for Your West University, TX Home
Between the years 2016 and 2022, more than 400,000 tons of air pollution in Texas were released by companies. This is concerning for many reasons.
These pollutants affect indoor air quality in people's homes. This leads to health hazards, especially in homes with poor circulation. The good news is, new technology has been created and you can fight indoor air pollutants with an air purifier with UV light.
You may be wondering how this technology works and how you can benefit from it. This guide will tell you everything you need to know so you can keep your home and family safe.
How Do They Work
UV light or ultraviolet light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. It has shorter wavelengths than visible light. There are three types of UV light and UV-C is the one harnessed by air purifiers.
Filtration
UV light models combine UV technology with other filtration methods, so harmful microorganisms are easier to target. Pre-filters and HEPA filters are used to capture larger contaminants so the light can do its job.
Traditional air purifiers typically have filters that trap particles as well. However, they don't have the UV light to destroy smaller harmful materials that slip through the filters.
UV-C Light Sterilization
UV-C light works to disrupt and destroy the DNA structure of bacteria and viruses. It keeps them inactive and incapable of reproducing and growing. This is effective against pathogens that can easily escape traditional filters.
Activated Carbon Filters
Odors and other organic compounds, such as gaseous pollutants, are captured by carbon filters. This helps improve air quality and keeps your home in Houston, TX from smelling bad.
Benefits of Air Purifiers with UV Light
The benefits of an air purifier with UV light are endless. Once you invest in UV lights in HVAC systems, you'll never go back.
Mold Prevention
The presence of mold in your home is less than ideal. It can cause you to become sick. Mold spores can become airborne and when inhaled may cause respiratory problems. It could trigger allergies or pre-existing conditions, such as asthma.
Mold exposure can also lead to irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat. If you start to have a persistent sore throat, you may have mold in your home.
Putting a purifier in your home in Houston can help destroy mold spores. You don't have to worry about getting sick. It can also help prevent more growth.
Odor Neutralization
One of the most noticeable benefits is odor neutralization. The last thing you want is for your home to stink. The activated carbon filters target any unwanted odors and leave your home smelling fresh and clean.
Allergen Reduction
Pet dander, pollen, and dust mites can accumulate in your home fairly easily. Having a UV light air purifier can help reduce these allergens.
Microbial Elimination
Now you may be asking, "Does UV light kill bacteria?". Well, it does.
UV-C light can eliminate viruses, bacteria, and an array of other microorganisms. This makes UV lights in HVAC systems invaluable.
Comprehensive Air Purification
Tackling poor air quality in your home can seem overwhelming. Articles online may outline lots of steps for you to take to clean your home.
Maybe you've spent hours and hundreds of dollars trying to purify your Texas home. Without a comprehensive approach, keeping good air quality will be hard.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters will make this process much easier. This is one step, and once the air purifier is installed, you won't have to worry.
Saving Money Advantages
While the benefits above are probably enough to convince you to invest in an air purifier with UV light, there are several money-saving advantages that can help you. We know budgeting for your home can be challenging and you may not have a lot of extra cash lying around, which is an air purifier, is a great option.
Low Maintenance Costs
They also have minimal ongoing expenses. They can last for an extended period of time before needing a replacement.
This will save you money in the long run, as you won't have to pay for regular inspections and maintenance. Once it's installed, you'll improve indoor air quality in your home and you won't have to think about it again.
Energy Efficiency
UV light air purifiers are also created to be energy efficient. This will lead to lower electrical bills. You may not notice a significant change in your bill right away.
However, in the long run, you'll notice a difference. Unlike conventional air purifiers, a UV light purifier will adjust the intensity based on the present need.
Air purifiers are constantly operating at a high power, which isn't energy efficient. This flexibility ensures that your device only consumes the necessary amount of energy. This leads to cost savings over time.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
Installing an air purifier with UV light will also save you money on health care and medication. If your home has lots of mold and dust, you're going to be spending more on allergy medication.
If you have a pre-existing condition flare-up due to poor air quality, your medical bills are going to increase. You could save yourself hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars by installing a high-quality UV-C light.
UV Lights in HVAC Systems
It's not uncommon for mold and bacteria to grow on your cooling coils and other components of your heating and air-conditioning system. However, a UV light air purifier will reduce this risk.
It will also help keep your system clean. It will also minimize the risk of malfunctions and extend the lifespan of the equipment. You won't have to spend as much money on repairs and replacement costs when you install this air purifier.
Benefits of an Air Purifier With UV Light
Purchasing and installing an air purifier with a UV light will not only help you create a healthier living space but also save you money. You can protect your home in Houston, TX, and your wallet-who doesn't want that?
This guide outlines how an air purifier with UV light works and the benefits, but if you have questions, our team at P & M Air Conditioning and Heating is available to answer them.
With more than 65 years in the business, our family is here to support you. Don't wait to get in touch with us!
Will Replacing My Air Filters Improve the Indoor Air Quality in My Friendswood, TX Home?
More people are becoming concerned about the importance of indoor air quality than ever before. Maybe this is one reason that there is so much demand for water and air quality testing services. In 2022, this industry generated about $2.3 billion in revenue in the United States alone!
There is a long list of reasons that indoor air quality is so important. The more people learn about these reasons, the more they are getting interested in simple ways to improve the quality of the air they enjoy at home.
In particular, many people wonder if changing the air filters in their HVAC system might help improve indoor air quality.
Everyone, no matter their situation, can benefit from breathing cleaner air at home. Learning a little bit about what you can do with your air filters to enjoy better indoor air quality is an investment that will pay for itself many times over in the long run. So will replacing your air filters improve your indoor air quality in Friendswood, TX?
Read on to learn all about the importance of indoor air quality and how you can improve it!
Improve Indoor Air Quality by Changing Filters
Depending on your situation, changing out the air filters in your air conditioner might be able to improve your indoor air quality. So how can you know if changing your air filters will make a difference in your situation?
Understanding how your air filter can affect your air quality will also help you know when you need to change it. Your air conditioner processes amazing amounts of air every hour that you use it. As it draws on air from outside or even inside your home, it passes that air through its air filter before releasing it into your home.
As it does so, the dust and other contaminants in the air end up stuck in the air filter instead of floating around the atmosphere of your house. However, as this process goes on long enough, your air conditioner air filter will collect more and more dust.
After about 6 months of collecting dust, it will start to struggle to filter out further contaminants. That means that the air that passes through your air filter will come out with dust still floating in it.
This is when you might need to change your air filter to enjoy improved indoor air quality.
Enjoy Clean Air With an AC and Heating Tune-Up
In other cases, you might need to search for "AC repair near me" even if your air filter is still working fine. If you have an air conditioner leaking or need furnace repair, there is a good chance that the air quality in your home will start to suffer.
The good news is that you can find plenty of heating and AC companies that will provide you with an AC repair free estimate. As you receive a free furnace estimate or AC estimate, your HVAC professionals will also be able to tell you a little bit about whether or not your HVAC system might be affecting your indoor air quality.
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That can provide you with the exact information you need so that you can keep your indoor air as clean as possible.
The Benefits of Improved Indoor Air Quality
When you think about it, it makes sense that the quality of the air you breathe might have profound effects on your health. If your air filter and HVAC system do not remove contaminants from the air you breathe, your respiratory system will collect many of them instead.
In some cases, this can lead people to develop allergies. Anyone who already has allergies will be more likely to display allergic symptoms when they are breathing indoor air that is not as clean as possible.
On top of that, anybody with respiratory issues of any kind will often suffer from coughing, congestion, and similar symptoms if they are breathing unclean air.
On the other hand, not as many people realize that clean air can affect productivity. When air quality is high, people tend to enjoy better cognitive function. That allows them to focus better and feel better while they go about their important tasks.
This goes double because indoor air quality can also affect sleep quality. Many people are struggling today to get a quality night of sleep on a consistent basis. That can have huge effects on their well-being throughout the day as well.
Breathing clean air can help you sleep easily at night and enjoy greater well-being during waking hours as well.
Finding Heating and Cooling Near Me
The right HVAC professionals can help you improve your indoor air quality. However, if you are interested in better air quality, make sure to look for AC companies that specialize in indoor air quality.
The more experience an HVAC company has with air quality, the better the chance they can help you achieve the results you are seeking. Depending on your situation, it can also be helpful to assess your HVAC company options online. Try looking for reviews that talk about how much cleaner customers' air felt after receiving help from an HVAC company!
Enjoy Better Indoor Air Quality at Home
Scientists are still discovering more and more benefits associated with having better indoor air quality at home. To enjoy these benefits, it is more than worth taking the time to invest in better indoor air quality. One of the most important things you can do to keep your indoor air fresh is to make sure that your AC system always has fresh air filters.
To learn more about how you can find the right AC maintenance and repair help in Friendswood, TX, for you, reach out and get in touch with us at P & M Air Conditioning and Heating at any time!
The Link Between Indoor Air Quality and Your Health: A Guide for Bellaire, TX Homeowners
For a country that loves the great outdoors, we sure spend a lot of time indoors. Unfortunately, the demands of work, school, and life mean that most Americans spend 90% of their time enclosed by four walls. The problem is that you could be breathing in many invisible pollutants while believing that your air is clean.
In some places, the indoor air quality is much lower than that of the air outside. To protect your health and that of your family, it's important to improve indoor air quality.
Join us as we explore the link between indoor air quality and health and see how Bellaire, TX, AC companies can help.
Indoor Air Quality 101
Indoor air quality refers to the condition of the air we breathe at home, work, school, and other indoor environments. We may think that the air we breathe is regularly exchanged with fresh air from outdoors. But in fact, it may be relatively stagnant and home to lots of nasty pollutants.
Smoke
Whether we can see it or not, we're constantly surrounded by emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and tobacco. If someone in the house smokes, the smoke can cause health complications for others.
According to the CDC, secondhand smoke contains around 7,000 chemicals. About 70 of them can cause cancer. In addition, the smoke hangs around in the air for a considerable period of time after each cigarette is smoked.
Carbon Monoxide
Our furnaces can also cause problems with indoor air quality. It's important to have your furnace serviced regularly and call out an HVAC company immediately if you need furnace repair. If they are not working correctly, they can emit carbon monoxide (CO).
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly. Every home should have a CO monitor to alert homeowners to any increases in the level of carbon monoxide in the air. If your furnace is leaking this deadly gas, it's time to get a free furnace estimate and install a safer model.
Pet Dander
Many of us can't live without our furry friends, but they can also aggravate allergies and reduce indoor air quality. When some people breathe in pet dander, it causes allergic reactions. HVAC air filters can help to remove these particles from the air, and it's important to change them regularly.
Mold
Winters in Houston, TX, are generally mild and dry. But if you do not control the indoor humidity in your home, mold can start to develop. Mold loves warmth and moisture, and it can sometimes find these conditions in poorly maintained HVAC systems.
Heating and cooling maintenance are essential. It can keep the indoor temperature and humidity at comfortable levels.
Relative indoor humidity of 60% or higher will encourage mold to grow in your home. Scheduling regular AC tune-ups can keep these problems at bay.
Health Impacts of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Poor indoor air quality can affect everyone, not just people who suffer from allergies. If you're a homeowner, it's important to be aware of its impact and what you can do about it.
Allergic Reactions
Pet dander is an inescapable fact when you have cats and dogs in your home. But if anyone in the household has an allergy to pets, they may experience the following:
- Wheezing
- Breathing difficulties
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Runny nose
- Cough
If your HVAC system is not regularly serviced, you could develop a problem with mold. Mold loves warm, humid conditions. It's easy for mold to build up in your ductwork and then get blown around the house.
Not everyone is sensitive to mold. But at its worst, mold can cause severe reactions, such as fever and breathing difficulties. A study by the Institute of Medicine shed light on this.
The study found a link between indoor exposure to mold and the following conditions in otherwise healthy people:
- Upper respiratory tract problems
- Cough
- Wheezing
Concentration Problems
A report published by the EPA suggested a link between poor indoor air quality and student performance. Naturally, student performance is affected by missing school through sickness. Poor air quality can also cause concentration, calculation, and memory difficulties.
Fatal Conditions
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer. If levels become elevated for a short period in your home, it can lead to death. It's very important to keep your furnace well-serviced and have a working carbon monoxide monitor in place at all times.
Who Is at Risk?
Some people are at a higher risk of being affected by poor indoor air quality than others. This includes:
- Elderly people
- Very young children
- Those with cardiovascular or respiratory problems
These groups of people also tend to spend more time indoors.
How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality
The good news is that improving your air quality doesn't mean moving to another part of the state! All you need to do is follow a few simple steps.
- Regularly change your AC filters
- Schedule regular heating and cooling maintenance, including air duct checks
- Clean evaporator coils, which can attract pests and develop mold
- Consider a UV lamp
- Install an air humidifier
A UV lamp is able to kill living biological organisms in your home. This makes the air cleaner and safer to breathe.
An air humidifier is great in the dry Texas climate. It can help keep the humidity in your home at a safe and comfortable level.
Time to Improve Your Air Quality
You don't have to suffer the effects of poor indoor air quality any longer. AC companies can help you to remove the pollutants from your air so you can breathe easily in your own home.
If you're looking for heating and cooling near me in Bellaire, TX, look no further than P&M HVAC. We have 75 years of experience in keeping the people of the greater Houston area comfortable and safe in their homes.
Our air quality services can remove mold and bacteria from your air and stop them from coming back. Call us at 713-588-6249 or reach out online today to schedule a visit.
7 Tips on Improving Indoor Air Quality for New Homeowners
On average, most Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. Now, more people are spending the majority of their time at home, rather than in the office, at the gym, or out on the town.
We all know that there are a lot of environmental hazards that pose a large health risk. Did you know that the EPA considers poor indoor air quality to be one of the top five environmental hazards?
If you want to ensure a cleaner, healthier future, it is imperative that you focus on improving indoor air quality.
Let's take a look at 7 ways that you can address the air pollution sources in your own home.
Clean to Reduce Air Pollution
The first three tips on our list involve developing a basic cleaning routine. There are three major problem areas in every home that homeowners should never overlook. Let's take a look at what those problem areas are and how you can address them.
1. Carpeting
A lot of the pollutants you should worry about aren't constantly circulating through your air. Dust mites, pollen, and other irritants settle into your carpeting and get kicked up over and over due to foot traffic and other disturbances.
Vacuum all carpeting in your home at least once or twice a week. If your carpeting appears to have water damage or dry rot, replace it entirely. If you're looking for a more permanent solution, consider removing your carpeting in favor of exposed hardwood or tile flooring.
2. Damp Areas
Mold spores contribute a great deal to indoor air pollution, and damp areas are breeding grounds for mold. Monitor your bathroom, crawl space, and piping for signs of leaking or prolonged dampness. You may want to install dehumidifiers in areas that never seem to dry out.
If mold is currently growing in your home, you can tackle it with bleach-based cleaners. A green alternative is diluted white vinegar, although you may have more success using bleach if the mold has settled in.
3. Dusty Spaces
If you find that your asthma, allergies, or other respiratory ailments are getting worse, you may have a dust problem. Avoid using feather dusters, as they only trap about 50% of dust and send the rest back into the air. Instead, use a damp cloth or paper towel to remove dust from surfaces around your home.
Establish Your Own IAQ Program
At P&M, we believe that the only way to tackle indoor air quality is to establish an indoor air quality program. Our IAQ program involves four proactive measures that directly reduce the number of pollutants in your home, from dust and grime to toxic chemicals. Let's take a look at what we can accomplish together to improve your indoor air quality.
4. Mechanical Ventilation
One of the best ways to dilute pollutant-riddled air is to constantly introduce fresh air into your home. However, opening your windows isn't always an option, especially when you have the HVAC running. Plus, most energy-saving HVAC systems require a tight seal against outdoor air, eliminating any dilution you may have been getting from cracks around your windows and doors.
Mechanical ventilation systems exhaust contaminated air while pumping in fresh air. You can ensure that your air is well-circulated without messing up your energy savings.
5. Humidifiers
While some trouble areas in your home may be too damp, the majority of your home is probably too dry. Dry air accumulates irritants at a faster rate which are then spread all over your home through your HVAC system. Pairing your HVAC with a humidifier is the best way to maintain proper levels of moisture in your indoor air to avoid this outcome.
As an added bonus, humidifiers can help to alleviate any skin or hair dryness you may experience, especially in the winter months.
6. Purifiers
As always, make sure that you are changing the filters on your HVAC every two to three months. This ensures that they can continue to catch irritants such as dust, pollen, and dander before your heated or cooled air is sent into your home.
If you're concerned about your indoor air quality, air purifiers make a great companion to the filters your HVAC system already utilizes. In addition to introducing humidity into your HVAC, we will also install a state of the art air purification system. We offer air purifiers that can capture particles as small as .03 microns.
7. UV Lighting
Ultraviolet light has the ability to kill off living biological organisms. When DNA is exposed to UV lighting, it becomes damaged. As long as this exposure is prolonged, that damage is irreparable and the organism will die.
While there are ways to keep your bathroom, crawl space, and other damp indoor areas clear of mold, some spots are too tough to reach. In fact, the evaporator coil in your central air conditioner is at risk of developing mold and fungi. Rather than allowing those organisms to thrive and grow, we install UV lighting in your HVAC system that will take care of the problem before it even starts.
Improving Indoor Air Quality Can Improve Your Quality of Life
Improving your indoor air quality is a necessary way to protect your family and maintain good health. Remember that in addition to the measures we've addressed above, you should also receive regular HVAC maintenance to ensure that your airflow is clean and efficient.
P&M HVAC is here to help you every step of the way. Contact us to set up an IAQ program appointment and your HVAC inspection.