2. How does it affect germs?
The "C" wavelength targets the DNA of microorganisms, causing cell death or making replication impossible. The UVC energy kills or inactivates microbes, eradicating surface and airborne mold, as well as viruses and bacteria.

3. Does it work?
Yes, Steril-Aire UVC Emitters improve IAQ (indoor air quality); kill or inactivate surface and airborne microorganisms; prevent the spread of infectious diseases caused by bacteria; continuously clean coils, drain pans, plenums and ducts; and improve product quality, shelf-life and yield in processing plants.

4. Does UVC relate to UVGI?
The two terms are basically synonymous. Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a term used by Federal Agencies such OSHA, NIOSH and the CDC when referring to UVC.

5. What is UVV?
UVV light refers to another wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum. Some UVC devices also produce light in this wavelength. The manufacturers of these devices promote UVV as an added tool for IAQ control, saying that UVV attacks microorganisms, chemicals, and odors. While this may be true, it is important to understand that UVV (unlike UVC) will also "attack" occupants in treated spaces by adversely effecting human lungs!

The reason for this is that the shorter (185 nanometers) wavelength of UVV light actually generates ozone. This occurs because UVV light reacts with oxygen to break it into atomic oxygen, a highly unstable atom that combines with oxygen to form O3 (ozone). The American Lung Association states that "exposure to ozone causes a variety of adverse health effects, even at levels below the current standard." And the U.S. Food & Drug Administration says: "In order for ozone to be effective as a germicide, it must be present in a concentration far greater than that which can be safely tolerated by man and animals." The longer (254 nanometers) wavelength of UVC light, by contrast, provides highly effective air, surface, and water disinfection without producing any harmful ozone.

The materials and methods of UVC lamp construction determine whether a given UVC device will produce both UVC and UVV light or only the safer UVC wavelength. Steril-Aire devices do not produce any UVV.

6. 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.

7. Can UVC save energy?
Yes. Steril-Aire devices degrade organic buildup in coils, keeping coils continuously clean. This lowers HVAC energy costs by improving heat transfer and increasing net cooling capacity. Steril-Aire has a Life Cycle Cost program that provides an excellent way to predict energy and operational savings.

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

9. Will UVC kill mold in ducts?
Yes, applying UVC at the coil dramatically reduces the overall activity in the rest of the A/C system as well as the space. There is scientific evidence of this by Dr.'s Richard Shaughnessy and Estelle Leviten, Tulsa University.

10. Will UVC kill 100% of all airborne microorganisms?
No, however it will kill up to 99+% depending on the organisms and the required design.

11. Will UVC kill dust mites?
No.

12. Does it produce ozone?
No, Steril-Aire devices do not produce ozone or other secondary contaminants.

13. 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. General IAQ is improved for better productivity and less absenteeism. Product quality, shelf life and yield in processing plants are improved as well.

14. Does it replace filters?
No, a UVC fixture is an air conditioning component that is used in addition to other system parts. These include the coil, heating core, fan, dampers, humidifiers, filters, etc. All are designed to do some form of work within the air handler or on the air.

15. Don't filters remove microorganisms?
Yes, in an infectious disease application the efficiency and location of a filter should always be a concern. The filter goal is to provide a reduction in the total number of microbes. However, viruses can be as small as 0.02 micron, so the target organism needs to be known to provide a predictable result. More importantly, filters do not abate microbial growth on coils, in drain pans or in plenums and ductwork. Steril-Aire devices do.

16. 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.

17. Can UVC Emitters be used in TB applications?
Yes.

18. Where is it installed?
Most Steril-Aire fixtures are designed specifically for installation in HVACR applications. On existing systems, infestations always exist. Therefore, the best results are obtained when the light is located downstream of and facing the coil. In this location the user can expect the highest efficacy in eliminating surface (coil and plenum), drain pan and airborne microbes. On new systems, it can be placed either up or downstream of the coil and aimed at the coil.

19. Is it hard to install?
No, installation instructions are available for every model, and CAD layout drawings are often provided when we are informed of dimensional specifics. Depending on the fixture size and style, installation time can average about 15-20 minutes per fixture. The factory must always be involved for infectious disease applications.

20. How do you size it?
For IAQ, improved heat transfer, reduced maintenance and odor, the rule of thumb calls for about 24" of UVC Emitter length for every 4 square feet of coil face area. The factory should always size applications involving infectious disease applications.

21. Do you clean a coil first?
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.

22. What are the limits of temperature, humidity and velocity?
Limit rules of thumb are 32-170° F, 99% RH and 1000 fpm, respectively.

23. Can Steril-Aire products be used at 50Hz?
Yes, all of our voltage options can be used at 50Hz.

24. Can UVC be installed in packaged rooftops?
Yes, Steril-Aire offers NEMA 4x (water and rustproof) style fixtures using single ended Emitters that are easy to install in rooftop systems.

25. Can Steril-Aire fixtures withstand moisture?
The SEN fixture is a NEMA 4x style designed for outdoor installation, and is water resistant. All others are designed for 99% relative humidity and function properly and predictably under those conditions.

26. Can UVC be installed in small units?
Yes, unit ventilators, heat pumps and fan coil units, etc. are often the most inefficient and IAQ-problematic HVAC systems. Steril-Aire offers a variety of Emitter lengths as well as special unit ventilator and fan coil retrofit kits that allow easy installation of UVC, to make these systems cleaner and more efficient.

27. How will the customer know it is working?
There are several ways to demonstrate the many things taking place: One is to use a contact plate containing specialized agar before the lights are installed. Thirty days after the lights are installed repeat the procedure and compare results.

• A visible reduction of mold will be seen in a very short period of time
  
• Coil pressure drop will fall, and can drop as much as 30% in 30 days or less (depending on coil cleanliness and water activity). The system's airflow will usually increase as a result.
• Drain pans and drain pan water become significantly cleaner. · All line-of-site surfaces, i.e. insulation, will start to look like new.
• Most of the space odor will disappear and the air will seem fresher.

28. Is UVC harmful?
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.

29. Should the Emitters be cycled with the fan or run continuously?
For optimum IAQ and most efficient performance, the devices should be run continuously if possible.

30. If I see a blue light, does that mean the UVC Emitter is working properly?
Not always. The blue color does not come from the UVC energy but rather from argon gas inside the Emitter. A blue glow indicates that the Emitter is turned on, but it does not provide an accurate measurement of UVC output. That's why you should use a Steril-Aire radiometer to measure output, or change Emitters annually - even if the blue glow still appears to be bright.

31. Do Emitters need cleaning?
UVC Emitters do not require cleaning as part of normal operation; however, cleaning is recommended if the quartz has been touched during installation. Use 99% pure alcohol and a lint-free cloth, or a Steril-Aire cleaning kit.

32. How do you know when to change the Emitters?
For large or critical applications, change out should be performed when Emitter output decreases by 40% as measured by our radiometer, after about 9,000 hours or 12 months. For installations with no radiometer, change Emitters annually (after about 9,000 hours).

33. How do you dispose of the used Emitters?
Dispose of them as you would any fluorescent tubes, in compliance with your local or state codes.

34. What is the warranty?
The fixtures and Emitters are warranted for 1 year.