We are all thinking more than ever about contagious diseases. How do they spread? Who will be infected? How can we protect ourselves – our homes, our children, our elderly parents – from getting really sick? There are numerous ways to mitigate transmitting a virus. We have been putting them into practice with increased intensity and diligence. We are washing our hands and practicing social distancing. We are invested in keeping our things sanitary and reminding every family member of his or her responsibility to stay well and ensure community health.

With the increased use of antibacterial cleaners to combat the spread of viruses, the also effective method of using UV light in ductwork to prevent virus contamination has been less relied on. However, it is true that a new HVAC system using the technology of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation could keep your home and family safe from the spread of contagious diseases like the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.

Pathogens Circulating in Our “Safe Spaces”

We are learning new terms every day in the U.S. right now. Or perhaps we have heard of quarantine, social distancing, or sheltering in place, but they have probably never applied to us before. We are staying at home, in order to stay safe, to keep the community healthy, to protect vulnerable populations, including the elderly and the immunocompromised. We are staying at home to keep germs from spreading, but what if our homes are a hotbed of contamination? When you sneeze, airborne droplets of virus-transmitting agents can remain potent for up to six minutes. If your room is not well-ventilated, you can unwittingly share your germs with the people you love. Even if your house is clean, and hygienic, with new ductwork, or an updated air conditioning system, you can share more than board games and popcorn with your aged parents and vulnerable little ones, especially when we are under one roof now more than ever, in what is supposed to be a safe space from the virus.

Cool New Technology

Luckily, homo sapiens are clever creatures, and we are always coming up with new ways to improve our lives. There is a technology that employs UV-C (short-wavelength ultraviolet) light to kill pathogens that cause sickness and infectious disease.

Ultraviolet rays are a natural disinfectant. And this isn’t a new discovery in western science and medicine. A Danish scientist adapted the discovery about how light can kill microorganisms to combat tuberculosis, which was a disease that ravaged the population of Europe. Since the turn of the 20th century, we have used light waves to disinfect water and air. UV-C ionizes energy to alter the cell DNA of superbugs that may be resistant to other methods of deactivation. “The UV-C 254-nm germicidal wavelength carries enough ionizing energy to permanently alter cell DNA — including superbugs and other antibiotic-resistant germs — ultimately killing the cell and making replication impossible,” said Daniel Jones, president, UV Resources.

The rise of antibiotics turned attention away from the light, but recently it has come back into favor. Hospitals use UV light to disinfect, and the lights used above surgery tables reduce the risk of infection. But other heavily populated buildings where microorganisms are widespread, such as colleges and homeless shelters are also implementing the technology of late.

Healthy Home HVAC

In-duct UVC systems distribute UV energy uniformly in all directions to kill contagion and clean the air your family breathes. Healthy air at home seems to be a more pressing concern than it has at any other time for most Americans. We need to harness all the scientifically proven systems and implement them to keep the places we call home protected. Trust Knight’s Mechanical to maintain the safety and comfort of your home during these troubled times.