Keep Your Indoor Air Safe This Summer

Published: May 09, 2011

Summertime is almost here again, and along with it comes bright sunshine and hot weather. It’s the time of year when we crank up the air conditioning or open our windows to cool down the house and stay comfortable. In doing so, however, it’s possible that we’re exposing ourselves to allergens, ozone, bacteria and mold that could dramatically impact our well-being.

For some, opening a window doesn’t just let in fresh, cool air; it also lets in allergens such as pollen. In cities, high concentrations of ozone can keep many asthmatics stuck indoors for most of the season. In these situations, it can be difficult for people suffering from allergies or respiratory conditions to enjoy the nice weather or get outside for more than a few minutes a day. Staying inside with the windows closed, however, may not offer the solace you’d expect.

Most people wouldn’t consider their air conditioner to be a source of indoor air contamination, but it often is. The cooling coils of your air conditioner and the drip pan that collects access moisture are a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. These contaminants can become dislodged and enter back into the air stream, spreading throughout your home. A contaminated air conditioner can also be a source of unpleasant odors.

Microscopic surface contamination on the air conditioning coils can also diminish heat transfer, which increases the amount of energy your air conditioner will consume. This is due to the fact that the air conditioner has to work harder to push more air past the coils in order to cool the air. Considering that many people run their A/C for several hours everyday during the summer, these excess energy costs can really add up.

Manually cleaning the cooling coils is next to impossible for most homeowners. The coils are located above the furnace, making them inaccessible in most situations. The most common and effective solution is to install an ultraviolet cooling coil irradiation device through the ducting that then sits above the cooling coils. These devices irradiate the cooling coils with germicidal UV-C light, sterilizing both the coils and the drip pan, which prevents microbial growth from forming. The result is a more efficient air conditioner and the comfort of knowing your indoor air is safer for you and your family.

Click here for more information about our ALL•AIR™ DX Cooling Coil Module.

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