| 1.
What is UVC?
2. How does it affect HVAC biofilm?
3. Does it work?
4. Does UVC relate to UVGI?
5. What
is UVV?
6. What's the difference between UVC Emitters™
and conventional tubes?
7. Can UVC save energy?
8. Will UVC kill mold
in ducts?
9. Will UVC kill dust mites?
10. Does it
produce ozone?
11. How will I save money with UVC?
12. Does it replace filters?
13. Do I need UVC if I use antimicrobial
filters?
14. Can UVC Emitters be used in TB applications?
15. Where is it installed?
16. Is it hard
to install?
17. How do you size it?
18. Do
you clean a coil first?
19. What are the limits of temperature,
humidity and velocity?
20. Can Steril-Aire products be used
at 50Hz?
21. Can UVC be installed in packaged rooftops?
22. Can Steril-Aire fixtures withstand moisture?
23.
Can UVC be installed in small units?
24. How
will the customer know it is working?
25. Is UVC harmful?
26. Should the Emitters be cycled with the fan or run continuously?
27. If I see a blue light, does that mean the UVC Emitter is working
properly?
28. Do Emitters need cleaning?
29. How
do you know when to change the Emitters?
30. How do you
dispose of the used Emitters?
31. What is the warranty?
1.
What is UVC?
UVC is a type of ultraviolet (UVC) energy in the 260-nanometer
frequency. The "C" wavelength is the most germicidal in the UVC spectrum.
2.
How does it affect HVAC biofilm?
The "C" wavelength targets the DNA
of microorganisms, causing cell death or making replication impossible. The UVC
energy kills or inactivates microbes, eradicating surface biofilm. BACK
TO TOP 3.
Does it work?
Yes, Steril-Aire UVC Emitters continuously clean coils, drain pans,
plenums and ducts; improves product quality, shelf-life and yield in food processing
plants. For greater detail, please view the Case Studies section of our website. 4.
Does UVC relate to UVGI?
The two terms are basically synonymous. Ultraviolet
Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a term used by Federal Agencies such OSHA, NIOSH
and the CDC when referring to UVC. 5.
What is UVV?
UVV light refers to another wavelength in the ultraviolet
spectrum. Some UVC devices also produce light in this wavelength. The manufacturers
of these devices promote UVV as an added tool for IAQ control, saying that UVV
attacks microorganisms, chemicals, and odors. While this may be true, it is important
to understand that UVV (unlike UVC) will also "attack" occupants in
treated spaces by adversely effecting human lungs! The
reason for this is that the shorter (185 nanometers) wavelength of UVV light actually
generates ozone. This occurs because UVV light reacts with oxygen to break it
into atomic oxygen, a highly unstable atom that combines with oxygen to form O3
(ozone). The American Lung Association states that "exposure to ozone causes
a variety of adverse health effects, even at levels below the current standard."
And the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says: "In order for ozone to
be effective as a germicide, it must be present in a concentration far greater
than that which can be safely tolerated by man and animals." The longer (254
nanometers) wavelength of UVC light, by contrast, provides highly effective air,
surface, and water disinfection without producing any harmful ozone. The
materials and methods of UVC lamp construction determine whether a given UVC device
will produce both UVC and UVV light or only the safer UVC wavelength. Steril-Aire
devices do not produce any UVV.
6. What's the difference between UVC Emitters™ and
conventional tubes?
Steril-Aire devices work better and last longer.
Independent testing proves that UVC Emitter output is significantly higher than
the competition at all temperatures, especially under real-life HVAC operating
conditions. Only Steril-Aire delivers 3-4 times longer life; independently verified
output; a patented state-of-the-art solid state electronic power supply; high
performance construction; many sizes and configurations; complete technical and
engineering support; and the lowest life-cycle cost of any UVC product. View
Performance Comparison BACK
TO TOP 7.
Can UVC save energy?
Yes. Steril-Aire devices degrade organic buildup
in coils, keeping coils continuously clean. This lowers HVAC energy costs by improving
heat transfer and increasing net cooling capacity. Steril-Aire has a Life Cycle
Cost program that provides an excellent way to predict energy and operational
savings. 8.
Will UVC kill mold in ducts?
Yes, applying UVC at the coil dramatically
reduces the overall activity in the rest of the A/C system as well as the space.
There is scientific evidence of this by Dr.'s Richard Shaughnessy and Estelle
Leviten, Tulsa University. View
Scientific Study 9.
Will UVC kill dust mites?
No. 10.
Does it produce ozone?
No, Steril-Aire devices do not produce ozone or
other secondary contaminants. Ozone generating air cleaners are not safe; click here for more information.
11. How will I save
money with UVC?
In commercial, industrial or institutional buildings,
a Steril-Aire UVC installation offers the most rapid payback in the industry.
A typical installation can pay for in less than two years and save thousands of
dollars thereafter in energy and maintenance costs. This is possible because the
devices continually clean coils, drain pans, plenums and ducts, reducing or eliminating
costly cleaning programs. HVAC energy costs are lowered by improving heat transfer
and increasing net cooling capacity. General IAQ is improved for better productivity
and less absenteeism. Product quality, shelf life and yield in processing plants
are improved as well.
12.
Does it replace filters?
No, a UVC fixture is an air conditioning component
that is used in addition to other system parts. These include the coil, heating
core, fan, dampers, humidifiers, filters, etc. All are designed to do some form
of work within the air handler or on the air. BACK
TO TOP 13.
Do I need UVC if I use antimicrobial filters?
UVC is not a replacement
for filters. UVC addresses the problem of coil "biofilm" which is usually
downstream of the filters. Antimicrobial treated filters rely on direct contact
to kill the microrobes. As the filter builds a layer of dirt on it, this direct
contact is eliminated and the microorganisms will not be affected by the chemical
treatment. Therefore, treated filters will not accomplish the task of eliminating
the growth on the coil. 14.
Can UVC Emitters be used in TB applications?
Yes. 15.
Where is it installed?
Most Steril-Aire fixtures are designed specifically
for installation in HVACR applications. On existing systems, infestations always
exist. Therefore, the best results are obtained when the light is located downstream
of and facing the coil. In this location the user can expect the highest efficacy
in eliminating surface (coil and plenum), drain pan and airborne microbes. On
new systems, it can be placed either up or downstream of the coil and aimed at
the coil. BACK
TO TOP 16.
Is it hard to install?
No, installation instructions are available for
every model, and CAD layout drawings are often provided when we are informed of
dimensional specifics. Depending on the fixture size and style, installation time
can average about 15-20 minutes per fixture. The factory must always be involved
for infectious disease applications. 17.
How do you size it?
For IAQ, improved heat transfer, reduced maintenance
and odor, the rule of thumb calls for about 24" of UVC Emitter length for
every 4 square feet of coil face area. The factory should always size applications
involving infectious disease applications. 18.
Do you clean a coil first?
UVC will degrade all of the organic material
on and within a coil, usually within 30 days or less. Prior cleaning of the coil
is not necessary, and may delay the benefits of UVC. 19.
What are the limits of temperature, humidity and velocity?
Limit rules
of thumb are 32-170° F, 99% RH and 1000 fpm, respectively. 20.
Can Steril-Aire products be used at 50Hz?
Yes, all of our voltage options
can be used at 50Hz. BACK
TO TOP 21.
Can UVC be installed in packaged rooftops?
Yes, Steril-Aire offers NEMA
4x (water and rustproof) style fixtures using single ended Emitters that are easy
to install in rooftop systems. View
Product Details 22.
Can Steril-Aire fixtures withstand moisture?
The SEN fixture is a NEMA
4x style designed for outdoor installation, and is water resistant. All others
are designed for 99% relative humidity and function properly and predictably under
those conditions. 23.
Can UVC be installed in small units?
Yes, unit ventilators, heat pumps
and fan coil units, etc. are often the most inefficient HVAC
systems. Steril-Aire offers a variety of Emitter lengths as well as special unit
ventilator and fan coil retrofit kits that allow easy installation of UVC, to
make these systems cleaner and more efficient.
BACK
TO TOP 24.
How will the customer know it is working?
There are several ways to demonstrate
the many things taking place: One is to use a contact plate containing specialized
agar before the lights are installed. Thirty days after the lights are installed
repeat the procedure and compare results.
· A visible reduction of
mold will be seen in a very short period of time. · Coil pressure drop
will fall, and can drop as much as 30% in 30 days or less (depending on coil cleanliness
and water activity). The system's airflow will usually increase as a result. ·
Drain pans and drain pan water become significantly cleaner. · All line-of-site
surfaces, i.e. insulation, will start to look like new. · Most of the space
odor will disappear and the air will seem fresher. 25.
Is UVC harmful?
UVC is only harmful under prolonged direct exposure -
which is not generally an issue, since the devices are installed inside air conditioning
equipment or are otherwise shielded to prevent exposure. Use of safety goggles
and gloves is recommended as a precaution during installation to protect the eyes
and skin. BACK
TO TOP 26.
Should the Emitters be cycled with the fan or run continuously?
For optimum
IAQ and most efficient performance, the devices should be run continuously if
possible. 27.
If I see a blue light, does that mean the UVC Emitter is working properly?
Not always. The blue color does not come from the UVC energy but rather from argon
gas inside the Emitter. A blue glow indicates that the Emitter is turned on, but
it does not provide an accurate measurement of UVC output. That's why you should
use a Steril-Aire radiometer
to measure output, or change Emitters annually - even if the blue glow still appears
to be bright. 28.
Do Emitters need cleaning?
UVC Emitters do not require cleaning as part
of normal operation; however, cleaning is recommended if the quartz has been touched
during installation. Use 99% pure alcohol and a lint-free cloth, or a Steril-Aire
cleaning kit. BACK
TO TOP 29.
How do you know when to change the Emitters?
For large or critical applications,
change out should be performed when Emitter output decreases by 40% as measured
by our radiometer,
after about 9,000 hours or 12 months. For installations with no radiometer, change
Emitters annually (after about 9,000 hours). 30.
How do you dispose of the used Emitters?
Dispose of them as you would
any fluorescent tubes, in compliance with your local or state codes. 31.
What is the warranty?
The fixtures and Emitters are warranted for 1 year. BACK
TO TOP | 
