There are four types of UV light that are known about and understood. UVA is what we usually associate with the light that tans us and ages our skin. This is roughly 80% of the UV radiation that reaches us from the sun. UVB is often the form of UV light that actually burns our skin. Both UVA and UVB can usually be blocked from causing any damage to our skin using an effective sun cream.

Then there is UVC, which is one we understand less about, but which has been identified as being capable of destroying viruses and bugs. It is currently used in hospitals, water purification pants and for other disinfecting purposes. However, before you start getting overexcited at the prospect of UVC being capable of killing the COVID-19 virus, it would be both misleading and totally unethical of us to claim that UVC kills this coronavirus.

UVC is known to kill the flu virus and also the SARS coronavirus, but the COVID-19 virus is exceptionally tough, which is why it can be spread so easily. Initial thoughts that the pandemic would die out in the summer proved that it was resistant to UV radiation.

However, there are still huge benefits to be had from installing a UVC light in your HVAC system, providing it is professionally installed – usually in your HVAC ducting where it can irradiate the air that has already passed through your HVAC filter, ensuring that the air that comes out of your ducts is as clean and germ-free as possible.

Because UVC kills bacteria, it is a great preventative of mold and fungus too. However, it is important we underline the fact that UV light used in your home as a disinfectant/germicide is not suitable for direct human use. In other words, don’t ever use a UV light to try and disinfect yourself. The light should be placed out of the way, in your HVAC duct or in the HVAC unit itself protecting the coils, where the light can do its work, but without affecting you.

To find out more about the benefits of UV light as a germicide for your home, why not give us a call at A&E Air Conditioning and Heating and we’ll be happy to tell you all you need to know.