What is UVC?

Used Since Late 1800s

UV light in the form of germicidal lamps has been used since the late 1800s to kill the types of microorganisms that typically cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems -- bacteria, mold, yeast, and viruses.

 

Finsen Lamps
Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904) was the first to employ UV rays in treating disease. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1903. He invented the Finsen curative lamp, which was used successfully through the 1940s to treat skin infections.

 

Disinfecting Air and Water
UVC is used to disinfect the municipal water supply in Marseille, France, in 1908.
Westinghouse developed the first commercial UVC germicidal lamps during the 1930s. They are used primarily in hospitals.

After World War II, UVC is used for sterilizing air in hospitals, kitchens, meat storage and processing plants, bakeries, breweries, dairies, beverage production, pharmaceutical plants, and animal labs -- anywhere microbiological contamination is a concern. Typically, a beam of UVC is directed across the ceiling of a room in these upper air applications.

 

Controlling Tuberculosis
During the 1950s, UVC was incorporated into air handling equipment. It becomes a major component in the control and eradication of tuberculosis (TB). During the 1960s, concern about microbes lessened with the introduction and increasing availability of new drugs and sterilizing cleaners.

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Advent of Air Conditioning

As mechanical ventilation becomes more popular, UVC performance suffers. Moving air, especially below 77°F (25°C) has an adverse effect on UVC light tube performance. To compensate, additional lamps are installed and changeout cycles are accelerated.

 

Poor Performance
With the widespread adoption of air conditioning, UVC virtually disappears since the output and stability of standard UVC lamps are drastically reduced in the presence of cold moving air.

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Conservation Efforts

The energy crisis of the 1970s sparked enthusiasm for conservation. To save energy, heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are shut down when not in use. Condensation that had previously been evaporated by the constantly moving air collects on coils and in the drain pan. Mold and other microorganisms multiply in this dark, wet environment. When the system resumes operation, microbial contaminants are circulated throughout the building.

 

UVC for HVAC
The introduction of UVC into HVAC systems is pioneered in 1994 by Steril-Aire of Cerritos, California. The company invests considerable time and effort to establish the effectiveness of UVC lights that function optimally in the hostile environment of cold, moving air.

Recent technological advancements have made it possible for other companies to produce high-output ultraviolet germicidal devices. Through comprehensive testing and research, IAQ - Energy Solutions has identified a number of manufacturers of UVC lights that function optimally in conditions of cold, moving air to control microbial contamination and thus improve IAQ and HVAC system efficiency.

Through its strategic partnerships with leading manufacturers, IAQ - Energy Solutions is uniquely positioned to provide its customers in the Houston, Texas, area with the best germicidal UV products to meet their specific needs. To request more information or to discuss your specific IAQ - Energy need, e-mail sales@iaqenergy.com or phone (713) 944-4811.