5 Best UV Germicidal Lights to Kill a Virus (Coronavirus – COVID-19)

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UV Germicidal Light

Why do you need UV germicidal lights? They’re some of the most effective ways of removing bacteria, airborne pollutants, and flu viruses (such as coronavirus – COVID-19) from the air inside your home. The ultraviolet light helps disinfect indoor air making it safe. In this post, we’ll talk about what you should know about germicidal UV light. 

Check out this video on using UV Lights for Killing Coronavirus -COVID-19

What is a Germicidal UV lamp?

A germicidal lamp is a unique type of device that generates ultraviolet light. This short-wave UVC lamp damages the base-pairing DNA of viruses and bacteria. It also kills harmful microorganisms in the air to limit their ability to breed and cause diseases. 

The UV-C lamp forms equivalent bonds between specific adjoining DNA bases. As a result, it ends up destroying the nucleic acid of pathogens. When these bonds form they stop the DNA from being opened for reproduction. The organism at this point will have no means of reproducing. Sometimes it may try to reproduce but when that happens it ends up dying. 

How Does Germicidal UV Light Work? 

The UVC bulb produces electromagnetic radiation whose wavelengths are greater than X-rays but lower than visible light. It’s also part of the light range that lands in between visible light on the higher end and X-rays on the lower end. 

Ultraviolet light is part of the light spectrum landing between X-rays on the low end and visible light on the high end. The UV spectrum ranges from 100 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm. UV range falls between 100 and 400 nanometers. UV can be divided into different ranges with UV germicidal light said to be short wavelength. 

Nucleic acids highly consume wavelengths that fall between 200 nm and 300 nm. Any consumed energy can cause deficiency which includes the pyrimidine dimers. These usually stop reproduction and bar generation of essential proteins. It’s this kind of restriction that kills harmful organisms. Let’s find out how different types of germicidal uv light operate. Can this type of UV light be harmful to you?

Mercury based bulbs running at a low steam pressure produce UV light on the 253.7 nm line

Pulsed-xenon lamps produce UV light through the whole UV range with maximum emissions close to 230 nm. Ultraviolet light-generating diodes or UV-C bulbs produce UV light at selective wavelengths ranging between 255 and 280 nm.

This process can be compared to the effect of long wavelengths stimulating sunburns in humans. UV is strong which means microorganisms never survive when exposed to it for a long time.

Is UV Germicidal Light Safe? 

This is one of the biggest questions that many people struggle with. Let’s see how you’ll benefit from using UV germicidal light. 

1. Reduced germs in your house

The germicidal UV light produces a high light intensity. They come with strong ultraviolet energy which reduces the accumulation of airborne pathogens by up to 50% in 45 minutes only. As a result, it acts as an air purifier inside your house which minimizes allergy symptoms and helps you recover from illness faster. Clean air stops the spread of airborne bacteria and viruses across your house. 

2. Boosts the performance of HVAC

Killing germs in your ductwork helps remove harmful components from the air ensuring that you don’t inhale them. It also maintains cleanliness in the coils and ducts as well as cooling and heating components in your home. This is a great way of ensuring that the HVAC system operates efficiently.

3. It’s flexible which makes it easy to install

A UV bulb is located inside the ductwork. This makes it compatible with almost all heating and cooling systems. The UV germicidal light installation process is fast and easy and you can do it without the help of a professional.

4. There don’t discharge ozone emissions

Some air purifiers discharge ozone as a by-product. It’s important to mention that ozone irritates the lungs. It can also worsen asthma and allergy symptoms in people with a delicate respiratory system – check out the best air purifiers for asthma.

UV germicidal lamps neither produce ozone or chemicals during the disinfection process. You can be sure they won’t leave any byproducts in the air. What they do is destroy any germs without causing additional harm to you or your loved ones. 

5. Low priced requirements

Germicidal UV light operates consistently whether your air conditioner or furnace is running or not. Even then the cost of running your UV bulb will be manageable. To reduce the operating costs further you’ll need to maintain and repair your germicidal lamp regularly.

6. You can use it to disinfect water

You can use a water treatment UV gadget to disinfect a surface and water drawn from wells. The cost and labor charges of a UV germicidal light water treatment systems are similar to traditional disinfection gadgets. 

Water chlorination is one of the commonly used water treatment methods. It removes big organisms and disinfects the water. However, you’ll find that these systems can be quite expensive. Companies will have to cover the cost of training operators too. 

One big problem with these systems is that employees can be exposed to hazardous materials. Boiling water is another method that has been used for years. However, it requires labor and may not be cost-effective. UV germicidal treatment, on the other hand, is fast and more efficient when it comes to use of energy. 

Best UV Germicidal Lights 

UV disinfecting is fast becoming a popular and vital method of stopping the spread of infectious diseases. These devices keep your home or workplace clean and well sanitized. Have you been looking for a UV germicidal light lately? If yes you’ll agree with us that making the right choice can be hard. Here is a guide to help you know what to consider and identify the best device for your needs. 

1. Bio-shield UV-C air sanitizer system

This device is powerful when it comes to eliminating airborne bacteria, mold, and viruses. It also does a great job in removing other irritants that cause breathing difficulties such as pet hair and dust mites. You can use the Bio-shield UV-C air sanitizer system if you notice signs of mold in your home. 

Another thing about this unit is that it cleans the drain pan and coils of your air conditioning system. This boosts the efficiency of your AC in terms of proper heat transfer and cooling. This device features a 25-watt bulb which is efficient and increases the energy efficiency of your unit resulting in reduced power bills. 

You can easily install this UV light sanitizer without the need for a professional. All you’ll need to do is follow these steps.

Find the coated duct from your air conditioner installation unit and fix a mounting device on it.

Use a 7 /8 and 2 inch bit that comes with your device to drill holes in the duct. Use three screws included in your purchase to fix the unit. 

Insert your bulb and plug the UV sanitizer to a power source. It’ll discharge a continuous blue light. That’s how you’ll know that it’s working properly. With the Bio-shield UV_C sanitizing system you won’t have to pay for duct cleaning services. This is because it eliminates accumulation at the source.

Pros

  • Energy efficient
  • Easy installation. Do it with minimal assistance
  • Powerful in eliminating airborne microbes
  • Boosts the efficiency of your air conditioning unit
  • Comes with a two-year limited manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

  • It may not be quite efficient in highly humid areas

2. OdorStop UV Air Treatment System (OS72)

This is a competent air treatment system that operates with many standard air conditioning units. It comes with two 16 inch bulbs with an output of 32 watts each. You’ll notice an LED indicator on the lights which helps you understand whether they’re functioning appropriately. 

You can choose to replace the bulbs with 12-inch ones if your home has shallower installation ducts. This air treatment system removes odor-causing contaminants such as bacteria and mold. By using this unit you’ll also free your home from viruses and mildew. If you’ve got young children or live with elderly people this would be the best unit. 

The body of this unit is made using high-quality aluminum making it durable. Inside your package you’ll get pictures that guide you through the installation process. Use the available template to drill and fix your screws before fixing your UV sanitizer with foam tape.

Pros

  • It’s easy to install and use
  • It comes with a two-year limited warranty
  • Efficient and powerful
  • Customer service is efficient and friendly

Cons

  • Joining bulbs can be hard for some users. 

3. Pure UV Light AIR Purifier for AC

Are you looking for one of the easiest sanitizers to install? If yes, the Pure UV Light AIR Purifierfor AC is your go-to option. You can install it above or below your evaporator. To do this locate where to fix a magnetic bracket within the air handler. 

This unit uses a basic 120V power supply and the best thing is that it can operate without any special plugs. It uses a 14-inch ultraviolet bulb as its main source of light. The bulb has germicidal properties. 

This unit will help eliminate allergens and bacteria from the air in your home and it operates as a cleaner. It stops growth of organic material around the surface of AC coils and drain pan. This lamp keeps the coils of your AC unit clean and boosts its energy efficiency. 

The magnetic bracket of this unit is durable. You can be sure it won’t fall leaving the lamp to fall off. The Pure UV Light AIR Purifier for AC is light and ozone-free and its cord measures 9 foot. 

Pros

  • Efficient and durable
  • Bulb replacement is done once a year
  • Boosts the energy efficiency of your AC
  • Easy installation process
  • Uses a 120V power supply 

Cons

  • Short warranty period

4. Air Purifier UV Light for HVAC

This sanitizer can run for 13,000 hours without replacement. This makes it one of the most cost-effective units available today. You’ll also get twin bulbs with 0.36 amps meaning it has less than 25-watt output. This makes it quite efficient. 

Another good thing about these bulbs is that they’re easily available should you want a replacement. For proper operation ensure that your bulbs aren’t leaning on anything when the unit is running. If this happens then you’ll most likely damage your bulbs.

Installation is easy and you can do it as a fun afternoon project with the kids. Mount your unit with self-tapping screws included in the package before attaching aluminum strips. This UV sanitizer is made to operate with minimal parts and it’s budget-friendly. Be careful during installation to ensure you don’t drop it. 

Pros

  • Easy installation process
  • Long 9-foot power cord
  • Energy efficient
  • Destroys 99% harmful contaminants such as viruses and bacteria
  • Compact and minimalist design

Cons

  • Some users aren’t happy with the appearance

5. D200 Dual lamp Air Purifier Whole House

Pros

  • Eliminates up to 99% of volatile organic compounds
  • Comes with an energy-efficient design
  • Easy to install. You can do it without the help of a professional
  • Improved air purifying process
  • Bulb comes with a long lifespan

Cons 

  • Bulb replacement can be difficult

The D200 Dual lamp Air Purifier Whole House removes 99% of volatile organic compounds and microbial organisms. The air-cleaning process is done via a photocatalytic oxidation procedure. Here a mixture of ultraviolet light from titanium oxide and the bulbs is used. This is a thorough process that makes the unit a good investment for people who experience respiratory complications. 

The design of this unit boosts your AC unit’s energy efficiency by preventing mold and other contaminants from accumulating on coils. It also consumes less power through the use of a titanium oxide reflector. This increases the impact of your UV sanitizer. The installation process is easy and you don’t need to hire a professional to do it for you. 

Bulbs for this unit can last up to a year without being replaced. Apart from being readily available, replacement bulbs are cost-friendly. If your space measures more than 3,500 you’ll need two of these units to guarantee efficiency and proper sanitization. 

Take home…

Everyone is looking for effective solutions to clean and sanitize their home. If a light is not quite what you’re looking for check out my whole house air filter system reviews. As we’ve seen here UV Germicidal lights are effective for sanitizing your air by eliminating airborne viruses and bacteria. Keep your family safe during a pandemic by getting any of these units we’ve reviewed. 

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My name is Isabel and welcome to Blooming Air I created Blooming Air to be a place where homeowners can keep their homes healthy for them and their families with high-quality air units.