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Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifiers FAQ's

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Some frequently asked questions and the answers

What is the difference between a Sanuvox air purifier and an air filter?

How are Sanuvox in-duct UV air purifiers different than conventional "stick-light" UV purifiers?

If the aluminum reflector tube is 6" square, how can it purify the air in my duct? What about the air that is not passing through the aluminum reflector tube?

How does ultraviolet light kill biological and chemical contaminants?

Is Sanuvox effective in treating mould?

Is the Sanuvox air purifier safe?

How much electricity does a Sanuvox purifier consume?

Should I use an air filter with my Sanuvox?

What are the applications and uses for Sanuvox air purifiers?

Is a Sanuvox purifier difficult to install?

Does a Sanuvox have to run 24 hours a day?

If a "stick-light" has a one year lamp warranty, how can the Saber have a three year warranty?

What is my warranty?

What is the difference between a Sanuvox air purifier and an air filter? An air filter is designed to collect particulate from the air (i.e. dust and dirt). Airborne living organisms such as bacteria, viruses, VOCs and chemicals pass through a filter like sand passes through a tennis racket. Sanuvox Air Purifiers are designed to change the molecular structure of the contaminant through DNA Sterilization and Photo-Oxidation destroying both biological and chemical contaminants, including odors.

How are Sanuvox induct UV air purifiers different than conventional "stick-light" UV purifiers? One, two, or three lamp “Stick-Light” purifiers are excellent Object Purifiers, but do very little for treating the moving air in the ductwork. UV Air Purifiers are installed with the hopes of treating the air, destroying bacteria, viruses, mold, chemicals and odors. “Stick-Light” Purifiers will only keep a stationary object clean from biological contaminants but do very little for the air quality in the building. A “Stick Light” will keep from adding to the problem by keeping the object clean, but has minimal effect on the air. The proprietary Sanuvox Processes used in Sanuvox UV Air Purifiers are designed to treat the moving air in the ventilation system. There are only thousandths of a second to deliver the sufficient UV dosage needed to destroy the Bio-Chemical contaminants in the air stream. The Sanuvox Process can effectively and efficiently destroy the contaminants that travel throughout the ventilation system. “Stick Light” purifiers are excellent Object Purifiers because the object is not moving; the UV Light can shine on the object indefinitely, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For treating the moving air stream, there are only thousandths of a second to deliver the UV dosage needed to kill the contaminants. An example of Object Purification is treating the a/c coil. Caution: UV destroys plastic. A “Stick-Light” installed over a coil with a plastic drain-pan or plastic lined ducts must have all plastics shielded to prevent failure and off gassing (solid plastic partially being changed to a gas). An R1700GX and R4000GX does not have this problem, as the UV is contained in the Reflector Tube.

If the aluminum reflector tube is 6" square, how can it purify the air in my duct? What about the air that is not passing through the aluminum reflector tube? A common misconception is that a UV Lamp installed in a duct will treat ALL the air passing by it. In fact, at just 2 inches from the surface of the glass of the Lamp, the UV efficiency drops more than 80%, and the decline is exponential. This is true for all types of glass and lamps; this is a fundamental principal of UV-C light. When an Object Purifier (Stick-Light) is installed PERPENDICULAR to the air stream, the air spends almost no contact time with the UV Energy. When a UV Air Purifier (Sanuvox R1700GX & R4000GX) is installed, the Lamp is installed PARALLEL to the air stream. By having the Lamp placed PARALLEL in the ductwork, it allows for the contaminants in the air stream to spend 2,400% MORE CONTACT TIME with the UV Energy. With more contact time, more UV is delivered to the contaminants in the air stream, resulting in a much higher kill. Sanuvox UV Air Purifiers use an Aluminum Reflector Tube to intensify and concentrate the UV Energy without losing it in the duct. The Purifiers are designed to be on when the ventilation fan is on. As the air CONTINUALLY CIRCULATES through the ventilation system, the Sanuvox Air Purifiers will continually bring the level of contamination down. With every pass, more and more contaminants in the air are destroyed. In a typical application, in about 2 hours, the Sanuvox Purifier will on average have treated in excess of 80% of the contaminants in the air. The Purifiers will destroy the contaminants quicker than they will be introduced into the environment. If the Aluminum Reflector Tube was not present on the Sanuvox, then the entire duct would be lit up, but much less germicidal action would be taking place. The Aluminum Reflector Tube is needed to intensify the UV-C energy.

How does ultraviolet light kill biological and chemical contaminants? Ultraviolet light has four principal wavelengths: UV-A, UV-B, UV-C and UV-V. Sanuvox uses a patented “J” Lamp, which produces UV-C and UV-V light. UV-C is short-wave radiation. This wavelength’s primary uses are for the destruction of bacteria and other microorganisms that pass through the Aluminum Chamber. The Centers for Disease Control recommends this method for destroying viruses such as tuberculosis. UV-V is primarily used for oxidization; this is the portion of the lamp, which will neutralize odors in the air. Both UV wavelengths work together to destroy the contaminant; UV-C penetrates the cell’s membrane destroying the cell’s DNA while UV-V destroys the chemicals of the dead cell. Both UV wavelengths attack the microorganism on a molecular level, actually changing the DNA of the cell. These changes result in incorrect codes being transmitted from the modified DNA, which lead to the destruction of the microorganism.

Is Sanuvox effective in treating mould? Sanuvox has both Air Purifiers and Object Purifiers that will destroy mold as well as hundreds of other microbial contaminants.

Is the Sanuvox air purifier safe? Sanuvox Air Purifier are CSA C/US certified and CE approved. Two factors relating to safety are: (1) exposure to UV rays is damaging to the eyes and (2) direct UV exposure destroys plastic.

How much electricity does a Sanuvox purifier consume? Electrical consumption varies according to residential models. Purifiers range from 27 watts to 85 watts.

Should I use an air filter with my Sanuvox? A filter is not a purifier and a purifier is not a filter. By using a good quality filter with the UV Air Purifier, particulates, microorganisms, chemicals and odors are all addressed.

What are the applications and uses for Sanuvox air purifiers? Your Sanuvox Air Purifier will destroy biological, chemical contaminants and odors such as bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, smoke, formaldehyde, cleaning solvents, etc. See back page for a partial list of contaminants treated by Sanuvox. Sanuvox Purifiers are used in thousands of homes, doctors and dentists offices, hospitals, veterinary clinics, office buildings, government facilities, railway stations, health clubs, day care centers, laboratories, class rooms, old age homes, hotels, smoking rooms, bars and restaurants, mausoleums, funeral parlors and morgues.

Is a Sanuvox purifier difficult to install? There are several Sanuvox models, from portable units, which only have to be plugged in, to induct units, which require installation. We recommend installation to be done by a qualified HVAC Technician.

Does a Sanuvox have to run 24 hours a day? Induct models are designed to run 24 hours a day. That is not to say that they will. Induct models have either a sensor (R4000GX) or are hardwired (R1700GX) to the home’s ventilation system, which means the purifier, will only run when the fan is on. The portable purifier (P800GX) can be used all day or can be used when the need arises. WHAT MAINTENANCE IS REQUIRED? Besides the changing of the lamp, no other maintenance is required for a Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifier (R1700GX, R4000GX & P800GX). Sanuvox Saber APR requires cleaning of the Lamp depending on where it is installed.

If a "stick-light" has a one year lamp warranty, how can the Saber have a three year warranty? Even though the Saber APR is an ‘Object Purifier’, like all other Sanuvox Purifiers, the Saber APR uses a Reflector to intensify and direct UV that would otherwise be lost.

What is my warranty? Sanuvox residential air purifiers are warranted for 3 years on parts including the UV Lamp (and all replacement Lamps).

E-mail: info@prostar-mechanical.com

All prices are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change without notice. Prices may be applicable to state/provincial taxes. Shipping/freight charges may apply.