With cold and flu season just around the corner, it’s not too early to explore the idea of fighting germs with HVAC equipment. It is possible and it’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to lower transmission rates of bacterial and viral illnesses in your home. Upgraded filters, humidity control and UV (ultraviolet) lights all help to eliminate the spread of infectious diseases.

Air Filtration

Bacteria range in size from .3 to 60 microns and viruses from 0.005 – 0.3 microns. While most air filters for HVAC systems won’t capture the smallest particles, a whole-house air filtration system will, especially if it uses HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters.

Humidity Control

One of the reasons fall and winter are the cold and flu season is that the dry indoor air supports the transmission of infectious diseases. Overly dry air dries out the respiratory passages and makes them more vulnerable to infection from bacteria and viruses.

The germs also get a boost when the air dries out. When you keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50 percent during the fall and winter, they won’t multiply as quickly. A whole-house humidifier will maintain even levels effortlessly and efficiently.

UV Lights

Ultraviolet lights have a proven track record for fighting germs with HVAC. Whenever an organic molecule passes over a UV ray, its DNA is damaged and it can’t reproduce. UV lights are an affordable, simple and energy efficient way to tackle other air quality problems indoors. Besides eliminating germ proliferation, UV lights reduce mold infestations and the toxicity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

UV lights fit inside the air handler and when pointed at the evaporator coil, will keep it free from mold and bacterial growth. The lights are also useful inside the ductwork to help clean indoor air. They need cleaning every six months and replacement every year to maintain full effectiveness.

Each of these approaches will help with fighting germs with HVAC systems. To learn more about using one or all of them, contact Powers Heating & Air providing trusted services for Peachtree City homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Peachtree City, Georgia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 770-487-2040.