Happy
New Year and welcome to the January edition of Steril-Aire's UVC E-Newsletter.
In each issue, we will address an important question about ultraviolet-C or "UVC"
devices for building HVAC systems. Steril-Aire
will also be happy to provide you with a free on-site evaluation on how to equip
your building(s) for energy, mold, IAQ and infection control using UVC technology.
If you would like to know more, contact
us today. Q.
Can UVC devices be used to earn LEED® credit? A.
Yes! We are pleased to announce that a LEED® Innovation in Design point is
now available for the use of UVC lights in air handlers. Sammamish
Commons (Sammamish, Washington) recently became the first project to earn a LEED®
point for the use of germicidal UVC lights in the air handling units. Notkin Mechanical
Engineers (Seattle), mechanical engineer for the project, applied for and received
the Innovation in Design LEED credit from the U.S. Green Building Council. The
project uses Steril-Aire UVC Emitters™ downstream of the cooling coils to
improve indoor air quality and reduce energy and maintenance costs.
According to Notkin
project engineer Darren Schwend, PE, "Several studies have shown UVC light
systems to be an effective and cost-efficient way to address both IAQ and operational
issues. Sammamish Commons incorporates a city hall, police station, and other
office and public space, so it was very important to reduce the risk of human
exposure to microorganisms that can potentially occur in public buildings."
As the
company that pioneered the use of UVC in air handling systems, Steril-Aire is
gratified that UVC technology has received this important recognition for its
proven abilities to improve IAQ and infection control, save energy and reduce
coil-cleaning costs. The inclusion of UVC in the LEED rating system is precedent-setting
and will reward other building owners, designers, engineers and contractors who
take advantage of this technology in the future. According
to the USGBC, "Innovation in Design points are awarded to LEED projects that
develop new solutions, employ new technologies, educate, or realize exemplary
performance in another area." In addition to the Innovation in Design point
for UVC, the project earned overall LEED Silver certification. The architect for
Sammamish Commons is ARC Architects (Seattle). Click
here to see the full article published recently in the Air Conditioning, Heating
& Refrigeration News.
LEED®
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a registered trademark of the
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Sincerely,
Robert
Scheir, Ph.D. President
and Chairman
Steril-Aire,
Inc.
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