Mold Remediation: Why UV lights Don't Work
Mold (Cladosporium & Penicillium/Aspergillus) found in both HVACs with Reme Halo Zero with aFHP-Cell™️ Technology.
Are you considering using a UV light to treat mold in your home or business? Think again. UV lights, also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), are not an effective means of mold removal—but why? In this article, we’ll discuss the limitations of relying on UVGI technology and some successful alternatives that can help you eliminate mold from your space once and for all.
Limitations of Using UV Light
Mold remediation is the process of removing mold spores from any location they might be found growing. While it may seem like a good idea to rely on a simple device, like a UV light, to take care of the problem quickly, it's not so straightforward. The main limitation of using a UV light for mold remediation is its inability to penetrate porous surfaces that contain hidden pockets of moisture. Our HVAC's plenum and ducting are made of fiberglass, so they contain lots of nooks and crannies! This means that even if the surface appears dry, there could still be areas where mold is present but undetectable by traditional methods such as visual inspection or air quality testing. As a result, depending on a single source for remediation, such as an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, will likely not provide complete removal. It can leave behind easy points for reinfection with new mold colonies.
You can see from the air quality samples on this page that UV lights are ineffective on treating mold growth. They are great for bacteria and viruses, but time in and time out we see them fail with mold. On top of the moisture issues noted above, the light only sanitizes the space that it is installed. Once the air leaves plenum it hits dirty ducting and it is no longer "clean".
Mold (Cladosporium) found in HVAC with APCO-X Fresh-Air UV Light.
Successful Alternatives
Fortunately, there are much more reliable alternatives available when it comes to safely and effectively performing a mold remediation. A professional Mold Remediation uses proper containment and specialized tools to help clean the air as work is completed. They use high powered air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and negative pressure in containment zones in order to speed up drying times and force out any potential airborne spores in one fell swoop. This method requires less labor than other methods and has been known to provide satisfactory results with minimal intrusion into living or working spaces.
Another alternative is dry fogging with an organic compound, which requires trained professionals, like Mold Masters, who use specialized equipment that produce a negatively charged anti-fungal solution in order to treat hard-to-reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible by other methods. IE your air handler, it's plenum, and the ducting.
A ZERO tolerance mold that produces mycotoxins found in HVAC air Air-Flo UV-C Light System.
What About Prevention?
While all the above measures can certainly help in eliminating existing mold from any space, it's important not to forget about prevention—it's the key element to avoiding unwanted infestations altogether! Prevention lies at the root of all successful mold mitigation strategies. Preventing moisture buildup will limit or eliminate the chances for dangerous fungi forming inside the premises altogether. Remember cool and dry is the secret to a mold free home or business. If it is ever greater than 76° and 60% humidity, mold will grown.
To stop mold spores from getting in to your HVAC we recommend using a MERV 8 to MERV 13 air filter. These filters, filter down to a specific micron to stop most of the nasty things we have kicking around in our air. We also recommend replacing them monthly. Over time they will continue to improve the air quality in your home as they act like your own personal air scrubber!
To keep indoor environments healthy and safe from future outbreaks, maintaining adequate ventilation levels and regularly keeping an eye out for signs of water damage are essential best practices for busy homeowners and business owners alike! You can read more tips and tricks that we share with our clients here to help them have a mold free living.
At Mold Masters, we understand how serious and hazardous mold in your home can be—which is why our professional team provides comprehensive solutions tailored specifically to our client's unique needs! If you're looking for safe and effective solutions regarding your own personal battle against household adversaries such as bacteria and fungi growths… then give us a call today!
For more information, contact us online or call one of our Florida locations: North at 904-397-4030, Central at 813-606-6668, or South at 239-961-9995.
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