UV-AIRE® Air Purification System

Indoor Air: High Concentrations of Biological Contaminants

With tighter building construction in recent years, the quality of indoor air has declined dramatically.

The air circulating in the ductwork of the average home or office can be concentrated with contaminants including molds, bacteria, viruses, and dust mites. We fill our lungs up to 20,000 times each day. Over time, these contaminants can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes, upper respiratory problems, asthmatic conditions, headaches, and flu-like symptoms.

Filtering systems offer little or no help because these airborne contaminants either pass through the filter or simply collect on the filter medium, creating a breeding ground. Now, with the UV-Aire® Air Purifying System, a solution is available to directly address the problems associated with poor indoor air quality.

The Sun: Nature’s Outdoor Air Purifier

For years, scientists have known that one of the most effective air purifiers is natural sunlight. Not the light we see when we look out the window, but the invisible “C” band, ultraviolet rays that make up part of the sun’s light spectrum. The sun’s UV-C rays act as a natural outdoor air purification system, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, and dust mites. However, this natural process does not occur indoors. Ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) replicates the natural outdoor purification system of the sun by destroying the illness and disease-causing microbes living and multiplying in indoor air. In combination with a quality filter, it is the most effective way to reduce airborne contaminants and the health risks they represent.

UV-AIRE® Air Purification System

Independent Lab Testing

For many years, ultraviolet light has proven effective in sterilizing medical equipment, purifying water, and processing food. Currently, the use of UV light is gaining industry acceptance in HVAC applications. Microbe Management, Inc., a testing agency in Greenville, NC, has conducted three separate tests to examine UV’s effect on indoor air quality. The test results conclude that UV is an integral part of a whole house approach to improving Indoor Air Quality.

Attack the Source

While experts disagree on the root causes of many IAQ problems, there is consensus that stopping problems at the source is crucial to long-term air quality improvement. First, the homeowner must eliminate any unwanted sources of moisture in the home, such as roof leaks, drainage problems, and crawl space moisture.



The air conditioning coil must be addressed since it is a natural breeding ground for molds, which thrive in a dark, moist environment. Familiar with the rank smell generated when switching from air conditioning to heat mode? That is the smell of mold and bio-film burning off the coil. Whenever the blower is engaged, mold spores from contaminated A-coils are released into the ductwork and distributed throughout the building. These spores then seek alternative surfaces in other parts of the home to breed and multiply.

Surface Test: UV Kills and Prevents Mold on A-Coils

A specific test was designed to determine UV’s effectiveness in treating mold on coil surfaces. The test simulated the damp, dark settings where A-coils are found. In this study “We took a standard A-coil, sterilized it, introduced two kinds of mold, and then placed it in a controlled, moisture-laden environment,” says Bernard Kane, of Microbe Management. “We created two separate chambers in our lab. One chamber was bathed in UV light. The other was not.” The results were dramatic and conclusive. The side of the A-coil that was exposed to the ultraviolet light was clean and clear of mold growth. Mold continued to grow unabated on the side without UV. Subsequently, the contaminated side was bathed in UV light and the mold was eradicated. Kane summarized the results: “Properly positioning a UV lamp over the A-coil in a residential or commercial air conditioning system can eliminate surface mold on the coil and prevent future mold growth as well.”

Airborne Testing: Single Pass and Cumulative Tests

Bacteria and viruses are introduced into the building by its occupants and often cannot be controlled at the source. Therefore, it is important to attack these airborne invaders early and often, before they have an opportunity to multiply. The single pass test proves that UV effectively kills these airborne microorganisms in the duct.
Since HVAC systems typically re-circulate the air 40-75 times per day, a multi-pass, cumulative test was also conducted. Results demonstrate that repeated, multi-pass exposure to UV light dramatically reduces the concentration of bacteria and viruses throughout the home.1

Single Pass Test: UV Deadly for Airborne Microbes

This study introduced a common bacterium into a galvanized air duct equipped with a UV light to determine how effective the lamp would be in reducing the bacteria with one exposure, or a “single pass.” The tests were conducted at two speeds: 1125 cfm and 2250 cfm in an 18" x 18" duct. The UV lamp yielded at least a 90% reduction of the test bacteria with a single airflow pass at 1125 cfm, and at least 71% reduction at 2250 cfm.

Cumulative Tests: Multiple Exposures Dramatically Improve IAQ

To further investigate the effectiveness of UV on indoor air quality, Microbe Management created a series of tests designed to measure the cumulative effect of UV in reducing airborne contaminants. The tests were performed in a structure with two isolated 8' x 8' x 8' rooms where air could be sampled. In the control room, no UV was present, while the other room utilized a portable UV air purifier. According to Bernard Kane, Ph. D., of Microbe Management, “Test results were very encouraging. In both rooms, we introduced a resistant, spore-forming bacteria until the air was saturated with 350 colonies per cubic foot. In the room with the portable UV unit, the spore count was reduced by 50% in just 10 minutes and by 98% within 30 minutes. In the control room, without UV, more than 85% of the bacteria were still active after thirty minutes.” Similarly, the leading consumer UV “tower” model was also tested, but showed only minimal effectiveness. (See chart below.)

Conclusion: UV Is An Effective Part of “Whole House” Solution

A-coil irradiation, single pass, and cumulative tests confirm that UV is an important and effective contributor to a healthier home environment. UV technology used with a quality filter (MERV rated 8 or higher) will dramatically improve Indoor Air Quality. Additionally, portable units can be used in combination with in-duct models. This combination is strongly recommended for individuals with depressed immune systems, asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions. For homes without forced-air, portable UV air purifiers are recommended to enhance IAQ. Also, health care professionals, teachers, and day-care workers can benefit from additional UV protection from influenza and other viruses.