What other methods (beside UVC) are used for cleaning inside air handling units?
Coils are cleaned with various combinations of detergents, solvents, biocides, foaming cleaners, and high pressure hot-water sprayers. When cleaning is neglected, the build-up of mold inside the coils becomes very difficult to remove. Chemical cleaning of HVAC equipment is time consuming. It must be done properly to be effective, and it must be done regularly since contamination returns as the chemicals wear off. The toxic chemicals present health issues for the workers doing the cleaning, as well as for building occupants. And some chemicals cause corrosion to the metallic surfaces, shortening the life of the equipment. Pressure washing of the coils may force mold and particulate deeper inside, further restricting the air flow. When this happens, it becomes virtually impossible to physically clean the coil. UVC lights by contrast effectively “zap” mold and other microbes. As the organisms disappear, UVC rays penetrate farther into the coil until all particles and volatile organic comp
