When Aerapy entered the infection control market as a UV manufacturer in 2008, there were few other UV product options available. Over the years, the number of UV manufacturers grew, but in 2020 the UV field exploded. The upside of this rapid expansion has been a larger general awareness of how UV-C light works to disinfect the air and surfaces. On the other hand, the significant downside has been untested UV products flooding the market with nothing more than slick marketing to back them. Whether you’re buying upper air UV, UV for HVAC, or UV for vehicles to help prevent the spread of infectious disease, be sure to ask the following questions to help ensure you’re purchasing UV products that are not only affordable, but are designed for and proven to eliminate pathogens on contact or in one air pass in a space your size, and are designed for long-term affordability (not just the initial purchase price).

Has the manufacturer’s UV technology been independently tested, studied, and certified?

Many UV equipment suppliers and manufacturers today rely on testing that others have done to be able to claim that UV works—but does their UV work? Design, quality of materials, and more all go into effective UV light products. When considering UV equipment ask for testing and studies conducted using the manufacturer’s UV technology, not just UV generally. Also, has the equipment been independently ETL or UL certified? These certifications mean the products have been tested to meet established safety standards.

Aerapy UV products are independently tested and studied. Further, Aerapy products are ETL certified. Ask us for details.

If the UV manufacturer (or distributor) claims a 99.9% kill rate for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, or any other infectious pathogen, how quickly did the UV equipment eliminate the pathogen?

If the UV equipment has been tested against SARS-CoV-2 (or other pathogens) and shown to achieve a 99.9% kill rate, for example, be sure to ask how long it took to achieve it. If the pathogen was eliminated, but it took 30 minutes or even a few minutes, then the UV may not be effective—pathogens including SARS-CoV-2 can transmit in a matter of seconds.

When tested against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, Aerapy UV technology achieved a 99.97% reduction of the pathogen in the air in one air pass and a 99.99% reduction on surfaces in three seconds.

Is the UV equipment designed for long-term affordability and ease of maintenance?

Ever purchase an inexpensive ink printer but ended up paying a fortune in replacement ink? Some UV manufacturers price their products cheaply because they use proprietary UV lamps and will ultimately make their money in expensive lamp replacements—UV lamps you can only purchase from that manufacturer and designed only for that particular product. When making purchasing decisions, don’t just look at the initial upfront cost of the equipment—UV lamps must be replaced at least annually for air disinfection. How much will this equipment cost long-term?

To keep long-term costs down, Aerapy products utilize a non-proprietary UV-C lamp. These lamps are widely available but if you purchase directly from Aerapy, you can rest assured we have tested each lamp prior to shipping to ensure enough germicidal energy and that there are no cracks or breakage. We also help ensure ease of maintenance with our clever tool-less design—you just need your hands for quick and easy changes.  

Is the UV equipment effective for use in your particular indoor environment?

UV equipment has become widely and easily available today but that doesn’t mean it’s right for your space. When the health of you, your staff, and your business are on the line, there should be no off-the-shelf, one-size-fits-all approach to choosing UV disinfection systems. What is your square footage? How high are the ceilings? Do you have HVAC in place? Other ventilation? What type of business do you have? Does occupancy fluctuate throughout the day? Make sure all aspects of your indoor environment are addressed.

Aerapy was founded on a customized approach to UV disinfection. We know that one size does not fit all which is why we offer a free UV consultation to make sure you’re getting the right UV for you and your business. We also use a proprietary sizing method that addresses different parameters (i.e., lamp power levels, filter size, airflows, etc.) that impact different indoor environments.