Ultraviolet (UV) lights have been used since the 1930s in commercial and industrial applications including, but not limited to, sanitizing meats and vegetables, medical applications, air treatment, and water treatment. Residentially they started to emerge as in-duct air purifiers in the early 1990’s and today there are several manufacturers jumping on the band wagon. UV lights are a proven technology, yet they must have the right wavelength and have enough power for surface kill of biological growth, as well as airborne control of micro-organisms and germs.
To make sure you are getting what you paid for when deciding on which UV light to have installed into your HVAC system the light must have a UVC germicidal wavelength lamp and enough microwatts of power to get the job done. UV lights below 55 microwatts of power have little effect for this application and 70 – 180 microwatts is recommended.
Outside the sun emits several wavelengths of light that serve many purposes in our outdoor environment: helping plants grow, producing vitamin D in the skin, skin tanning, kill germs and deodorize the air. These wavelengths are broken down with different measurements each serving a separate function or purpose and they are measured in nanometers (nm). The Ultraviolet (UV) spectrum consists of UVA, UVB, UVC, and VUV (or UVV). Visual light is above 400 nm and the UV spectrum ranges from 400 to 10 nm as depicted below:
| Name | Abbreviation | Wavelength range |
| Before UV spectrum Ultraviolet, long wave, or black light UVB or medium wave tanning solons Ultraviolet C short wave or germicidal Ultraviolet V (Vacuum) ozone Beyond UV range |
Visible light UVA UVB UVC VUV or UVV X-rays |
above 400 nm 400 nm–315 nm 315 nm–280 nm 280 nm–100 nm 200 nm–100 nm below 10 nm |
UVA and UVB lights are used in tanning solons and for medical treatments.
UVC lights are used for surface kill of biological and with enough microwatts can also be effective on airborne micro-organisms.
UVV lights react with oxygen and oxidize gases, chemicals and odors.
The VitalAir Solutions BioCept Air Scrubber UV light technology surpasses the recommended design parameters by using a 180 microwatt UVC lamp that is 3.3 times more powerful than standard UVC lights for both surface and airborne germ, growth and bacteria kill and sterilization. The (name) will disinfect your air 24 hours a day naturally without using chemicals or sprays for healthier air.
The VitalAir Solutions Oxy3 BioCept Air Scrubber UV light system combines the same 180 microwatt UVC light with a second adjustable UVV light for chemical and odor control for healthier and fresher air.