Steril-Aire - UVC Emitters™

Sammamish Earns LEED Credit with UVC - click for pdf article

Steril-Aire UVC Emitters™ improve indoor air quality and eliminate mold, bacteria and other contaminants in schools, commercial buildings, health care facilities, food processing plants and homes.

. Kills or inactivates surface and airborne microorganisms that trigger
   allergy-asthma symptoms, including mold and mold spores, solvents and
  other volatile organic compounds. Also eliminates associated odors.
. Prevents the spread of infectious diseases caused by bacteria (including
  Legionella and E. coli) and viruses (including colds, flu, measles, chicken
  pox, and SARS)
. Continuously cleans coils, drain pans, plenums and ducts, reducing or
  eliminating costly cleaning programs and the use of harmful chemicals
  and disinfectants
. Produces no ozone or secondary contaminants and will not harm
  building occupants, equipment or furnishings
. 3-4 times longer bulb life than any competition

 

Typical UVC Installation

Illustration of a typical UVC installation

 

About Steril-Aire UVC Emitters™ - FAQs

What is UVC light?
UVC is a type of ultraviolet (UVC) energy in the 260-nanometer frequency.
The "C" wavelength is the most germicidal in the UVC spectrum.

How does UVC affect germs?
The "C" wavelength, considered "germicidal UV," targets the DNA of microorganisms, causing cell death or making replication impossible.

If UVC light harms bacteria, is it dangerous for me?
No, UVC Emitters™ are safe. 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.

Will it help allergies?
Yes, in most cases. Bioaerosol-related allergies have shown abatement and complete remission when UVC is used in HVAC equipment. Even simple stuffy noses are reported cleared.

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 itself in a few months 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. IAQ is improved for better productivity and less absenteeism.

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 and the subsequent contamination of the breathing zone by those biocontaminants.

Should I clean the coil first?
No. 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.

How often should the Emitters™ be changed?
For large or critical applications, replacement should be performed when Emitter output decreases by 40% as measured by our radiometer, or after about 9,000 hours or 12 months.

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.

Steril-Aire UVC Emitters™ can be installed in just about any application, new or old. Call or email us to see if it's right for you.
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