This morning I came across a website (more of an online store, actually) that claims that whole home air purifiers don't work. More specifically, the site talks about the inability of ultraviolet air purifiers to treat all of the air in a home. Well, we (L2B Environmental Systems Inc.) make ultraviolet whole home air purifiers, and I can assure you that they not only work; they work really well.
Here's what the website says:
Myth 4: Whole house ultraviolet light systems for central air conditioning units - These ultraviolet light systems are installed into air conditioning systems to kill mold and bacteria. They do not remove dust, particulates or airborne allergens from the A/C system, air ducts or from the indoor environment! These units are supposed to be installed so the ultraviolet lights are shining onto the evaporator coil on the air return intake side to prevent mold and bacteria growth on the evaporator coil and surrounding area, yet many of these units are installed improperly into areas of the air handler or air plenum where they can not do much good. Beware of UV light systems that produce ozone! Many of these UV light systems produce ozone at levels that cannot be controlled! Too much ozone can be an irritant to people with asthma and lung problems! I have experienced ozone producing UV light systems that created so much ozone it burned my eyes and throat. And I do not have asthma or any lung problems at all! Some of these units are also produced with non-ozone producing UV bulbs. However please note, if an air conditioning system is clean and installed properly and it has a high quality self charging electrostatic or pleated air filter in it to protect the air handler and evaporator coil from dust, the chance of the evaporator coil and the rest of the system becoming contaminated with dirt, mold and bacteria will be greatly reduced. We recommend properly cleaning your air conditioning system and duct work while installing an upgraded quality air filter instead of a ultraviolet light system. Please know that ultraviolet Light units for your air conditioning system are not whole house air cleaners even though people will claim that they will keep your entire home clean!
Now, in all fairness, some of what's said above is true.
The majority of ultraviolet air purifiers/UV modules sold online and in big-box stores usually consist of one or two low power (16-36 watt) UV-C lamps and a ballast (power supply). A product in this configuration is only suitable for evaporator/cooling coil irradiation, contrary to what the manufacturer may say about it being able to treat all of the air in your home. These kinds of products cannot adequately treat the air traveling through your HVAC system. The reason for this is because ultraviolet irradiation works on a very basic scientific principal:
UV Dose = UV Intensity x Time
This means that the longer a virus, bacteria, or mold spore (for example) is exposed to UV-C light, the higher the UV dose it receives. The higher the UV dose, the more likely it is that the pathogen will be killed.
Ultraviolet modules work really well for disinfecting the evaporator/cooling coils because both the module and the coils are stationary. Even though the module may have a low UV output, the UV-C light has lots of time to work, which results in a high UV dose. To put it simply: you only need a little bit of UV-C light if you have a lot of time. If the same module were to try to treat fast moving air in your HVAC system, however, it would fail miserably. This is because their isn't enough UV intensity to irradiate the pathogens in the air that are moving past the light at high speeds. Low intensity and a limited amount of time equals a low UV dose.
Our ALL•AIR™ DH and DS systems are able to treat all of the air traveling though your HVAC system thanks to our patented coating technology. This coating is highly reflective and uses nano-particles to intensify and evenly distribute the UV-C within the duct. In combination with the high output UV-C lamps that we use, this allows us to deliver a significant UV dose in a very small amount of time, enabling us to treat all of the air passing through the system. For more information about this technology, click here. And because we believe in a comprehensive approach to indoor air purification, we also have three stages of air filtration in our ALL•AIR™ DH model.
Finally, I'd like to briefly talk the issue of ozone generation from UV lamps (I will be talking about ozone in detail in an upcoming post). Only some ultraviolet lamps produce ozone. UV-A (tanning), B and C (germicidal) lamps do not produce ozone. Only full-spectrum UV lamps and UV-V lamps produce ozone. That being said, some manufacturers have their UV-C lamps specially made to produce ozone intentionally. Always ask the manufacturer about ozone generation from their products regardless of the type of air purifier you're purchasing. Ozone is a toxic, harmful gas that has no place in occupied indoor spaces. Never buy a product that produces ozone for your home. For the record, none of our ALL•AIR™ ultraviolet air purifiers produce ozone. Our lamps are certified to be ozone-free from the manufacturer.
That's it for today. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below. Thanks for reading!
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Monday, July 12, 2010
Keep Your Indoor Air Safe This Summer
Summertime is here again, and along with it comes bright sunshine and hot weather. It’s the time of year when we crank up the air conditioning or open our windows to cool down the house and stay comfortable. In doing so, however, it’s possible that we’re exposing ourselves to allergens, ozone, bacteria and mold that could dramatically impact our well-being.
For some, opening a window doesn’t just let in fresh, cool air; it also lets in allergens such as pollen. In cities, high concentrations of ozone can keep many asthmatics stuck indoors for most of the season. In these situations, it can be difficult for people suffering from allergies or respiratory issues such as asthma to enjoy the nice weather or get outside for more than a few minutes a day. Staying inside with the windows closed, however, may not offer the solace you’d expect.
Most people wouldn’t consider their air conditioner to be a source of indoor air contamination, but it often is. The cooling coils of your air conditioner and the drip pan that collects access moisture are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. These contaminants can become dislodged and enter back into the air stream, spreading throughout your home. A contaminated air conditioner can also be a source of unpleasant odors.
Microscopic surface contamination on the air conditioning coils can also diminish heat transfer, which increases the amount of energy your air conditioner will consume. This is due to the fact that the air conditioner has to work harder to push more air past the coils in order to cool the air. Considering that many people run their A/C for several hours everyday during the summer, these excess energy costs can really add up.
Manually cleaning the cooling coils is next to impossible for most homeowners. The coils are located above the furnace, making them inaccessible in most situations. The most common and effective solution is to install an ultraviolet cooling coil irradiation device through the ducting that then sits above the cooling coils. These devices irradiate the cooling coils with germicidal UV-C light, sterilizing both the coils and the drip pan, which prevents microbial growth from forming. The result is a more efficient air conditioner and the comfort of knowing your indoor air is safer for you and your family.
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
For some, opening a window doesn’t just let in fresh, cool air; it also lets in allergens such as pollen. In cities, high concentrations of ozone can keep many asthmatics stuck indoors for most of the season. In these situations, it can be difficult for people suffering from allergies or respiratory issues such as asthma to enjoy the nice weather or get outside for more than a few minutes a day. Staying inside with the windows closed, however, may not offer the solace you’d expect.
Most people wouldn’t consider their air conditioner to be a source of indoor air contamination, but it often is. The cooling coils of your air conditioner and the drip pan that collects access moisture are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. These contaminants can become dislodged and enter back into the air stream, spreading throughout your home. A contaminated air conditioner can also be a source of unpleasant odors.
Microscopic surface contamination on the air conditioning coils can also diminish heat transfer, which increases the amount of energy your air conditioner will consume. This is due to the fact that the air conditioner has to work harder to push more air past the coils in order to cool the air. Considering that many people run their A/C for several hours everyday during the summer, these excess energy costs can really add up.
Manually cleaning the cooling coils is next to impossible for most homeowners. The coils are located above the furnace, making them inaccessible in most situations. The most common and effective solution is to install an ultraviolet cooling coil irradiation device through the ducting that then sits above the cooling coils. These devices irradiate the cooling coils with germicidal UV-C light, sterilizing both the coils and the drip pan, which prevents microbial growth from forming. The result is a more efficient air conditioner and the comfort of knowing your indoor air is safer for you and your family.
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Is Your New Home Toxic?
Today's new homes are built for energy efficiency. Unfortunately, while builders are striving to build homes tighter in order to save energy, they're overlooking the impact this has on indoor air quality.
Tightly sealed homes typically have inadequate ventilation, which is why most new homes come equipped with an HRV (heat recovery ventilator). HRVs exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. They also help to keep CO2 levels inside the home from building up to unsafe levels. They're great when they're used properly, and I'd recommend that you have one, especially if you're living in a newer home. An HRV, however, does not do enough to improve the air quality inside of a home. This is due to the fact that in newer homes there are thousands of items and materials releasing toxic chemicals into the air every minute of every day. These chemicals are commonly referred to as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
Volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. They "off-gas" from various solids and liquids that include:
Some of the health effects associated with short-term exposure to volatile organic compounds include:
VOCs pose serious health threats that should not be downplayed or ignored. If you live in a newer home, these toxic chemicals pose an even greater threat to you and your family. Having adequate ventilation will help to reduce VOC levels, but may not solve the problem entirely. If you notice items in your home giving off strange odors, it may be best to remove them temporarily until the odors subside, or entirely if the odors persist. If you think you have a serious problem with VOCs in your new home, you should consult your builder immediately.
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
Tightly sealed homes typically have inadequate ventilation, which is why most new homes come equipped with an HRV (heat recovery ventilator). HRVs exchange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. They also help to keep CO2 levels inside the home from building up to unsafe levels. They're great when they're used properly, and I'd recommend that you have one, especially if you're living in a newer home. An HRV, however, does not do enough to improve the air quality inside of a home. This is due to the fact that in newer homes there are thousands of items and materials releasing toxic chemicals into the air every minute of every day. These chemicals are commonly referred to as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
Volatile organic compounds are carbon-based chemicals that evaporate easily at room temperature. They "off-gas" from various solids and liquids that include:
- Carpets
- Composite and wood products
- Paints
- Upholstery fabrics
- Vinyl flooring
- Adhesives
- Solvents
- Varnishes
- Sealants
- Pesticides
- Air Fresheners
- Cleaning and disinfecting chemicals
- Office equipment (copiers and printers)
- Cosmetics
Some of the health effects associated with short-term exposure to volatile organic compounds include:
- Eye, nose and skin irriation
- Worsening of asthma symptoms
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness and lack of coordination
- Lack of concentration
- Fatigue
VOCs pose serious health threats that should not be downplayed or ignored. If you live in a newer home, these toxic chemicals pose an even greater threat to you and your family. Having adequate ventilation will help to reduce VOC levels, but may not solve the problem entirely. If you notice items in your home giving off strange odors, it may be best to remove them temporarily until the odors subside, or entirely if the odors persist. If you think you have a serious problem with VOCs in your new home, you should consult your builder immediately.
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
A question about HEPA filters
Hello, welcome to The Spectrum! My name is Mike and I will be maintaining this blog for my company, L2B Environmental Systems Inc. We are a Canadian company based out of Barrie, Ontario that specializes in advanced ultraviolet air purification systems for residential, commercial and institutional applications. If you would like more information about our company, please visit our website or you can follow us on Twitter: L2Binc. Please feel free to ask questions, send feedback or share information with us, we'd love to hear from you!
This post is in response to a question asked on Twitter. The question came to us from our friend mwilson72 who asked: How effective are ionized HEPA filters at improving IAQ? It seems like they handle enough air...so much confusing info out there.
Well mwilson72, needless to say, that's a question I simply can't answer with 140 characters! The effectiveness of HEPA filters at improving IAQ is totally dependent on what kind of "improvement" you're looking for. What I mean by that is, HEPA filters are great at removing particulate as well as trapping mould and some bacteria, so if that's your aim, then a HEPA system is probably a good choice for you. But, if by improve IAQ you mean kill viruses, bacteria and moulds because you suffer from Asthma, allergies, etc. than a HEPA system probably isn't going to give you the improvement you're looking for. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are chemicals given off by a variety of things such as building materials, carpets, paint and deodorizers are a major health concern for individuals and families and HEPA filters alone aren't going to remove them from the air. The other issue is that there is a difference between a HEPA filter and a "true" HEPA filter. A "true" HEPA filter has a minimum efficiency of 99.7% up to 0.3 microns, but there are a lot of "HEPA" filters on the market that don't meet those criteria, so buyer beware! The last thing I want to mention about HEPA filters is that because of the static pressure they create, they're only treating, on average, about 30% of the air when the system in installed into an HVAC system.
Anyways, what I'm trying to get at here is that it all comes down to what you want or what you expect from an air purification system. HEPA filters are great at what they do, no doubt, but as we like to say: trap the big stuff, kill the little stuff. We manufacture ultraviolet light systems because we feel that if you want a comprehensive and truly effective solution to poor IAQ, ultraviolet is the only way to go. Science proves it. Our ALL•AIR™ UVGI systems kill greater than 99% of airborne pathogens, break down VOCs and treat 100% of the air on each pass. That being said however, we do feel strongly that filtration is an important component to air purification systems. That's why several of our models incorporate 3-stage air filtration in addition to UV technology to provide our customers with a comprehensive system to improve their IAQ. In addition to that, we go a step further and actually irradiate the filters with UV-C light to kill what's trapped on the filters which eliminates the bio-hazard risk when handling filters during maintenance.
Anyways, I hope that answers your question mwilson72! Please feel free to submit any IAQ related questions you might have to us via Twitter and I'll be happy to answer them!
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
This post is in response to a question asked on Twitter. The question came to us from our friend mwilson72 who asked: How effective are ionized HEPA filters at improving IAQ? It seems like they handle enough air...so much confusing info out there.
Well mwilson72, needless to say, that's a question I simply can't answer with 140 characters! The effectiveness of HEPA filters at improving IAQ is totally dependent on what kind of "improvement" you're looking for. What I mean by that is, HEPA filters are great at removing particulate as well as trapping mould and some bacteria, so if that's your aim, then a HEPA system is probably a good choice for you. But, if by improve IAQ you mean kill viruses, bacteria and moulds because you suffer from Asthma, allergies, etc. than a HEPA system probably isn't going to give you the improvement you're looking for. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are chemicals given off by a variety of things such as building materials, carpets, paint and deodorizers are a major health concern for individuals and families and HEPA filters alone aren't going to remove them from the air. The other issue is that there is a difference between a HEPA filter and a "true" HEPA filter. A "true" HEPA filter has a minimum efficiency of 99.7% up to 0.3 microns, but there are a lot of "HEPA" filters on the market that don't meet those criteria, so buyer beware! The last thing I want to mention about HEPA filters is that because of the static pressure they create, they're only treating, on average, about 30% of the air when the system in installed into an HVAC system.
Anyways, what I'm trying to get at here is that it all comes down to what you want or what you expect from an air purification system. HEPA filters are great at what they do, no doubt, but as we like to say: trap the big stuff, kill the little stuff. We manufacture ultraviolet light systems because we feel that if you want a comprehensive and truly effective solution to poor IAQ, ultraviolet is the only way to go. Science proves it. Our ALL•AIR™ UVGI systems kill greater than 99% of airborne pathogens, break down VOCs and treat 100% of the air on each pass. That being said however, we do feel strongly that filtration is an important component to air purification systems. That's why several of our models incorporate 3-stage air filtration in addition to UV technology to provide our customers with a comprehensive system to improve their IAQ. In addition to that, we go a step further and actually irradiate the filters with UV-C light to kill what's trapped on the filters which eliminates the bio-hazard risk when handling filters during maintenance.
Anyways, I hope that answers your question mwilson72! Please feel free to submit any IAQ related questions you might have to us via Twitter and I'll be happy to answer them!
By Michael McLean
L2B Environmental Systems Inc.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)