Why Facility Managers Should Prioritize Clean Air through UV-C Lamps in HVAC Systems

Today I want to talk about a technology that every facility manager should be paying attention to: UV-C.

UV-C is a type of ultraviolet light that has the power to destroy the DNA of harmful pathogens and viruses, rendering them unable to replicate and spread. And when it comes to creating a healthy and safe environment for your building's occupants, UV-C is a game-changer.

By deploying UV-C technology in your HVAC ducts, coils and air handlers, you can disinfect the air that's circulated throughout your building, as well as the surfaces inside your ductwork and air handlers. And in the post-COVID world, where we're all hyper-aware of the potential for airborne transmission of viruses, this is more important than ever.

But it's not just COVID that UV-C can help prevent. It's also effective against other harmful pathogens like mold, bacteria, and even tuberculosis. And by reducing the likelihood of illness and absenteeism among your building's occupants, you can save your company thousands of dollars in lost productivity.

Let's talk about the ROI benefits of deploying UV-C in your HVAC system. First and foremost, by keeping your building's occupants healthy and safe, you're reducing the likelihood of illness and absenteeism, or truancy. This means that your company is less likely to experience a dip in productivity due to sick days. And as we all know, lost productivity equals lost revenue.

In a vertical farm, crops are grown in a controlled environment, often using hydroponic or aeroponic systems. This means that the air and water used in the growing process are constantly circulating, which can create the perfect environment for the growth of harmful bacteria and viruses. And when these pathogens take hold, they can quickly spread throughout the entire crop, leading to a loss of yield and revenue. By deploying UV-C technology in the HVAC system of an indoor vertical farm, you can disinfect the air and surfaces in the growing area, reducing the likelihood of harmful pathogens taking hold.

UV-C technology isn't just effective against harmful pathogens. It can also help to improve the overall health and vitality of your crops. When crops are grown in a clean and sterile environment, they're less likely to experience stress from disease or pests. This means that they can devote more of their energy towards growth and development, leading to larger yields and higher-quality crops.

But the benefits don't stop there. By reducing the amount of airborne bacteria and other pathogens in your building, you're also reducing the likelihood of costly lawsuits stemming from illnesses that can be traced back to your building. And if you're in an industry that requires a high level of cleanliness and hygiene, like healthcare or food service, deploying UV-C can help you meet regulatory requirements and avoid costly fines.

Now let's talk about staff safety. As a facility manager, it's your responsibility to create a safe working environment for everyone who works in your building. By deploying UV-C technology in your HVAC system, you're taking an important step towards achieving that goal. Not only are you reducing the likelihood of illness and absenteeism, but you're also sending a clear message to your staff that their safety and well-being is a top priority.

But what about energy savings? You might be thinking that deploying UV-C technology in your HVAC system will lead to higher energy costs. After all, won't the UV-C lamps consume energy? The answer is yes, but the amount of energy they consume is negligible compared to the energy savings you can achieve by keeping your HVAC system clean and running efficiently.

When your HVAC system is dirty, it has to work harder to circulate air throughout your building. This means that it consumes more energy, which translates to higher energy bills. But by keeping your HVAC system clean with UV-C technology, you're reducing the amount of energy your system has to consume to do its job. And that means lower energy bills for your company.

In conclusion, if you're a facility manager and you're not already using UV-C technology in your HVAC system, it's time to start. By deploying UV-C in your ducts, coils, and air handlers, you can create a healthier and safer environment for your building's occupants, while also saving your company money in lost productivity, regulatory fines, and energy costs.

Written by Covspect’s CEO/CTO/Founder: Steve Grabenheimer