How to Choose a UVC Light
How to Choose a UVC Light
First things first…
Why would you want to install a UV light?
UV lights significantly reduce the amount of microbes on surfaces, in ductwork, and other airspace. UV lights have the ability to kill viruses and bacteria throughout the home, schools, and the workplace.
The 1903 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Niels Finsen for his use of UV radiation against lupus vulgaris (by the way, a terrible skin infection). Using UV light to treat water dates back to 1916 in the USA. UV light is now used to treat drinking water, wastewater, hospitals, surfaces, and indoor air.
Today, there are many UVC light options. So, how do you know which one is best for you?
Hopefully, this guide will help.
Just the Facts – Quick Reference:
For a more in-depth understanding, please read the following guide.
To know, which light is your best option, you need to answer a few questions first.
One of the most important questions you need to answer is about ozone enhancement. The information below will guide you to the correct answer.
What is Ozone enhancement, and do you need it?
First, what is Ozone?
Ozone is present in low concentrations throughout the earth’s atmosphere. Some researchers say that this chemical is “good up high, but bad down low.” Without the ozone layer protecting our Earth’s stratosphere, for example, the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation would make life on Earth uninhabitable. At street level, however, a high concentration of ozone is toxic to plants and animals. In humans, ozone can irritate nasal passages, cause nausea, and extended exposure can lead to lung inflammation. That said, it is also highly effective at killing germs and viruses.
Ozone, also called Vacuum Ultraviolet (UV-V), is a gas molecule that contains three (3) oxygen atoms instead of (2), which has a destabilizing effect on oxygen in the air, thus a danger to humans. Hence, the need to ventilate the area after use.
The Types of VUC Lights
Ozone vs. No Ozone
The answer will depend on your application and desired results, as there are pros and cons to both.
The UVC lights used to sanitize have wavelengths between 250-300 nanometers (nm) and will not produce ozone. To produce ozone, the wavelength must be <200nm. However, many lights come with an ozone enhancement, a light that produces a shorter wavelength <200 nm (most are around 185nm).
Lights with Ozone enhancement
The benefit of lights that utilize Ozone is a more thorough sterilization. This is because the light does not need to be in direct contact with each surface to provide sterilization. This is good for areas that have irregular surfaces, or areas where there are obstructions to the use of UVC light.
The downside is that the area being sanitized needs to remain unoccupied, and ventilated for 30 minutes after the light is turned off. For example, if the light is on for 15 minutes, then the area cannot be reoccupied for 45 minutes, i.e., 15 minutes for the light and 30 minutes for ventilation.
Lights without Ozone enhancement
The benefit of lights that do not utilize Ozone is the area being sanitized does not require 30 minutes to ventilate.
The downside is that the light must directly strike each surface to be completely sanitized. This is where how many different surfaces, and at what height, directly affect which light you choose.
If you have many different surfaces and at varying heights, and you do not want to use ozone enhancement, you will need to ensure that the light is in contact with each surface. To accomplish this, you need to choose a light that is tall enough, and may also need to use multiple lights, at different angles and heights.
Warning
While ozone is effective in killing germs and viruses, it is not safe for us to breath, therefore you must not re-enter the area for at least 30 minutes, after the light goes out. This time interval allows the room to re-oxygenate and the ozone to dissipate. Do this and you will be fine.
We hope this guide has been helpful. If you still have questions or need assistance in choosing the correct light, please contact us. We are always happy to help!
About us
Our Mission
To save lives and ease the pain and suffering through mitigating the transmission of bacteria and viruses,
including coronavirus and influenza virus, by providing the latest in UVC sanitizing light technology.
Our solutions
We have solutions to meet almost any need, including: Our continuous sanitizing option, the BioTech-C550; portable units like the BioTech-P1500A which can sanitize areas up to 1500 sq. ft.; our T5 and T8 overhead lights which offer a permanent solution; and our BioTech-A1000, which is our continuous room air sanitizer.
Custom Recommendations
Because we understand all clients have specific needs, we will work with you and make specific recommendations to meet those needs.
Contact us today and let’s work together to solve your sanitizing needs
Customer Service at: cs@biotechuv.com or 866-931-3138 Ext. 1
Quick reference
A quick reference to our product model numbers e.g. BioTech-T430A
The first letter has meaning i.e.
The last letter, in this case “A” indicates the specific model.
Knowing this should allow for a quick comparison of our different lights.
First things first…
Why would you want to install a UV light?
UV lights significantly reduce the amount of microbes on surfaces, in ductwork, and other airspace. UV lights have the ability to kill viruses and bacteria throughout the home, schools, and the workplace.
The 1903 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Niels Finsen for his use of UV radiation against lupus vulgaris (by the way, a terrible skin infection). Using UV light to treat water dates back to 1916 in the USA. UV light is now used to treat drinking water, wastewater, hospitals, surfaces, and indoor air.
Today, there are many UVC light options. So, how do you know which one is best for you?
Hopefully, this guide will help.
Just the Facts – Quick Reference:
- Match the effective area of the light to the area being sanitized.
- Choose the correct light for the intended use, i.e. Light Duty or Commercial Grade.
- Ozone enhancement provides the most thorough sterilization, and the light does not have to span every surface to be sterilized. However, it requires that the area remain ventilated and unoccupied for at least 30 minutes after the light goes out.
- If you need to re-enter the area in less than 30 minutes, then choose a light without ozone enhancement. However, when ozone enhancement is not used, the light must span every surface to be sterilized.
- Regardless of which light you choose, when the light is on, the area being sanitized must be unoccupied by people, pets, and plants; and remain unoccupied for at least 30 minutes after when using ozone enhancement.
For a more in-depth understanding, please read the following guide.
To know, which light is your best option, you need to answer a few questions first.
-
How big is the area that you are trying to sanitize?
This is straightforward. Each light (at least, our lights) has a maximum effective area listed, e.g. 1500 square feet. Just match this with the room or area that you need to sanitize.
-
Are there a lot of different surfaces and at different heights?
This will help determine how tall you need the light to be, and if you need to utilize Ozone enhancement. See ozone below.
-
How soon, after the light goes out, do you want to re-enter the area?
If you need to reoccupy the area soon (less than 30 minutes) after the light goes out, then Ozone enhancement is not the best choice.
-
How often do you plan to sanitize?
If you plan to sanitize once a day, then the light you choose will not make much of a difference. On the other hand, if you are trying to sanitize between each patient, client, or classes, then again Ozone enhancement may not the best choice.
-
What type of environment will the light be used in?
If you are using the light at home or in an office environment, then most lights will work fine. However, if the light will be used in an industrial setting, you would be better served with a commercial grade light. For areas that may contain moisture (not wet), like a Dentist’s office, then the stainless steel option would be more appropriate.
-
Does it need to be portable?
This is straightforward as well. If you need to move it between areas, then you don’t want a mounted unit; preferably, choose one on wheels, or at least, one that is easy to move.
One of the most important questions you need to answer is about ozone enhancement. The information below will guide you to the correct answer.
What is Ozone enhancement, and do you need it?
First, what is Ozone?
Ozone is present in low concentrations throughout the earth’s atmosphere. Some researchers say that this chemical is “good up high, but bad down low.” Without the ozone layer protecting our Earth’s stratosphere, for example, the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation would make life on Earth uninhabitable. At street level, however, a high concentration of ozone is toxic to plants and animals. In humans, ozone can irritate nasal passages, cause nausea, and extended exposure can lead to lung inflammation. That said, it is also highly effective at killing germs and viruses.
Ozone, also called Vacuum Ultraviolet (UV-V), is a gas molecule that contains three (3) oxygen atoms instead of (2), which has a destabilizing effect on oxygen in the air, thus a danger to humans. Hence, the need to ventilate the area after use.
The Types of VUC Lights
Ozone vs. No Ozone
The answer will depend on your application and desired results, as there are pros and cons to both.
The UVC lights used to sanitize have wavelengths between 250-300 nanometers (nm) and will not produce ozone. To produce ozone, the wavelength must be <200nm. However, many lights come with an ozone enhancement, a light that produces a shorter wavelength <200 nm (most are around 185nm).
Lights with Ozone enhancement
The benefit of lights that utilize Ozone is a more thorough sterilization. This is because the light does not need to be in direct contact with each surface to provide sterilization. This is good for areas that have irregular surfaces, or areas where there are obstructions to the use of UVC light.
The downside is that the area being sanitized needs to remain unoccupied, and ventilated for 30 minutes after the light is turned off. For example, if the light is on for 15 minutes, then the area cannot be reoccupied for 45 minutes, i.e., 15 minutes for the light and 30 minutes for ventilation.
Lights without Ozone enhancement
The benefit of lights that do not utilize Ozone is the area being sanitized does not require 30 minutes to ventilate.
The downside is that the light must directly strike each surface to be completely sanitized. This is where how many different surfaces, and at what height, directly affect which light you choose.
If you have many different surfaces and at varying heights, and you do not want to use ozone enhancement, you will need to ensure that the light is in contact with each surface. To accomplish this, you need to choose a light that is tall enough, and may also need to use multiple lights, at different angles and heights.
Warning
While ozone is effective in killing germs and viruses, it is not safe for us to breath, therefore you must not re-enter the area for at least 30 minutes, after the light goes out. This time interval allows the room to re-oxygenate and the ozone to dissipate. Do this and you will be fine.
We hope this guide has been helpful. If you still have questions or need assistance in choosing the correct light, please contact us. We are always happy to help!
About us
Our Mission
To save lives and ease the pain and suffering through mitigating the transmission of bacteria and viruses,
including coronavirus and influenza virus, by providing the latest in UVC sanitizing light technology.
Our solutions
We have solutions to meet almost any need, including: Our continuous sanitizing option, the BioTech-C550; portable units like the BioTech-P1500A which can sanitize areas up to 1500 sq. ft.; our T5 and T8 overhead lights which offer a permanent solution; and our BioTech-A1000, which is our continuous room air sanitizer.
Custom Recommendations
Because we understand all clients have specific needs, we will work with you and make specific recommendations to meet those needs.
Contact us today and let’s work together to solve your sanitizing needs
Customer Service at: cs@biotechuv.com or 866-931-3138 Ext. 1
Quick reference
A quick reference to our product model numbers e.g. BioTech-T430A
The first letter has meaning i.e.
- A = Air for air sanitizers
- C = Continuous sanitizing
- LEDB = A LED Bulb
- P = Portable
- T = Tabletop
The last letter, in this case “A” indicates the specific model.
Knowing this should allow for a quick comparison of our different lights.