eddhelms.com

Edd Helms is Your
Indoor Air Quality Specialist!
Edd Helms Air Conditioning Protects your Home or Office from Airborne Bacteria

Most air conditioning systems recirculate the air in your home or office about 80 times a day. Edd Helms Air Conditioning can install a UVGI air purification system into your central air conditioner to help protect your family and employees from airborne diseases. UVGI has been used for years in the food industry to kill bacteria, and it was recently mentioned in many national anthrax news stories.

Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR THE EDD HELMS TECHNICIAN TO INSTALL MY UVGI SYSTEM?
A: Most installations for central air conditioners up to 5 tons are normally completed within 4 hours. For larger central systems, installation times will vary, but most can be completed within several days.

Q: HOW MUCH DOES THE COMPLETE UVGI SYSTEM COST TO INSTALL?
A: Over the phone prices start at $697 for central air conditioners up to 5 tons. Prices for larger systems vary depending on the size of the central air conditioner.

Q: HOW DO I PLACE MY ORDER AND MAKE AN INSTALLATION APPOINTMENT?
A: Complete our on-line order form or call us at 1-800-329-2530 and tell us when you would like your system installed. We accept all major credit cards.

Q: WHO IS EDD HELMS AIR CONDITIONING?
A: We are a division of the Edd Helms Group who, for the past 27 years has served South Florida with air conditioning, electrical, and data communications services. Our thousands of satisfied of residential and commercial customers are evidence of our commitment to customer satisfaction.-

Q: WHAT IS A UVGI AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
A: UVGI is the abbreviation for Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation. The use of UVGI for the sterilization of microorganisms has been studied since the 1930's. Microbes are uniquely vulnerable to the effects of light at wavelengths at or near 253.7 nanometers (UV-C germicidal) due to the resonance of this wavelength with the molecular structure. Looking at is another way, the quantity of energy UVGI possesses is just the right amount of energy to break organic molecular bonds. This bond breakage translates into cellular damage to the bacteria, fungus, or viruses. With 11 watts of output per lamp, the UVGI intensity is 125 microwatts per cubic centimeter within 12 inches of each lamp. Most central AC systems up to 5 tons require two lamps, which give an effective UVGI intensity inside the air handler of approximately 250 microwatts. Larger systems require additional lamps to maintain the required UVGI intensity levels.

Q: HOW MUCH CONTINUOUS UVGI EXPOSURE IS REQUIRED TO KILL VIRUSES OR BACTERIA?
A: Some microorganisms are killed in fractions of a second while others require longer exposure. Manufacturers of UVGI equipment provide several charts which outline a list of microorganisms and the approximate kill time required. Those charts are based on findings of researchers, with some studies showing different kill time values than others. Accordingly, the varying kill times are included in the manufacturer's charts. Research performed by Mitscherlich and martin in 1984 found that 99% of all Bacillus Anthraci bacteria were killed within 3.6 seconds with 25 microwatts per cubic centimeter, and 99% of Bacillus Anthraci spores were killed within 230 seconds with 25 microwatts per cubic centimeter. A chart provided by one manufacturer indicates that with one hour of continuous air conditioning system operation, the airborne concentrations of Viral Colony Forming Units (CFU) per cubic meter is reduced from 500 CFU's to less than 10 CFU's; Bacterial CFU's reduced from 500 to less than 100; and Spore CFU's reduced from 500 to less than 300. That same chart shows that after 3 hours of continuous air conditioning system operation, both Viral and Bacterial CFU's are virtually eliminated while Spore CFU's level off at about 100 per cubic meter.