Why Restaurants Use UV Lights in Kitchen Hood Exhausts

Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic energy emitted in various wavelengths, UVA, UVB and short wave UVC radiation.  UVC wavelengths in the range of 254 nanometer (nm) are proven to be highly effective and eliminating harmful microorganisms providing powerful germicidal effects.  But did you know that UVC lamps deliver many more benefits to restaurants and commercial kitchens by protecting kitchen equipment as well as sterilizing air and surfaces? 

UVC Lamps Protect Kitchen Equipment

Restaurant owners everywhere are wondering how to improve their facilities to provide a cleaner, more sterile environment. UVC lamps are providing the answer with many air purification and surface sterilization systems featuring UVC light.  UVC lamps eliminate the threat of viruses and bacteria such as Salmonella and E. Coli on surfaces and also eradicate airborne pathogens when installed correctly in air purification or HVAC systems. UV radiation has other interesting properties by breaking down grease particles and preventing grease buildup on commercial kitchens and exhaust hoods. 

How Does UV Light Prevent Grease Buildup

UVC lamps help to prevent the buildup of grease on kitchen exhaust equipment through a two-part process known as photolysis and ozonolysis. During photolysis, UV radiation alters the molecular bond of grease and ozonolysis oxidizes the grease molecules. This prevents heavy duty grease build up that occurs in kitchen hood exhaust fans, making kitchen fans much more efficient, cleaner, and easier to maintain. 

Germicidal UV lamps prolong equipment life and mitigate the risk of fire by preventing grease buildup in kitchen exhaust systems.  Restaurant owners enjoy a cleaner kitchen with less work to keep the exhaust system clean and find it easier to meet stringent health department regulations with a cleaner kitchen. This improves health standards for restaurant patrons and keeps a cleaner environment for employees. 

LightSources Offers UVC Lamps for Restaurants and Kitchen UV Systems

LightSources offers germicidal UVC lamps for use in surface and air sterilization systems for restaurants, including lamps for UV kitchen hood exhaust systems. We offer a wide product line with sterilization lamps in all shapes and sizes for use in water, air, and surface sterilization systems worldwide.  Our lighting engineers offer custom engineering to meet your specific needs including prototyping designs and custom designed bases. 

LightSources leads the industry in germicidal UV lamp design, engineering, and manufacturing with a vast product line and custom designed solutions.  We offer UVC lamps, ozone lamps and custom lamp designs for nearly any germicidal application.  Contact us to learn more about our UVC lamps for restaurant and commercial kitchen sterilization.

How Effective is UV Light in HVAC Systems?

Ultraviolet (UV) light emitted in the UVC range has powerful germicidal properties although can be harmful to the eyes and skin with direct human exposure.  UVC light in heating, venting, and cooling (HVAC) systems is a great way to sterilize the air in homes, commercial and industrial buildings without direct exposure.  UV light is proven to be very effective at improving indoor air quality by eliminating harmful pathogens from the air. 

How HVAC Systems with UV Germicidal Lamps Work

UVC lamps which are engineered to produce wavelengths in the 254 nanometer (nm) range are proven highly effective at eliminating any threat from many types of germs and mold.  UVC radiation in that wavelength quickly penetrates the DNA of microorganisms including many types of bacteria and viruses, which renders the cell unable to replicate and harmless.  UVC lights eliminate these microorganisms from the air as well as preventing the buildup of fungi, mold, and mildew. 

Germicidal UV lamps mounted in HVAC systems are proven to sterilize the air as it passes through the ventilation system to improve indoor air quality.  A study conducted by Penn State University and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE, concluded that UV lamps successfully reduced the amount of pathogens and fungi in the air and improved indoor air quality in children with mold induced asthma. 

HVAC systems with UV purification lamps provide healthier, cleaner air and also improve efficient operation of HVAC units.  By preventing the buildup of mold and mildew, HVAC systems operate cleaner and more efficiently, prolonging equipment life.  LightSources provides germicidal UVC lamps for any industry with custom engineered products including phosphor blends to meet your requirements, custom sockets and bases and prototyping services available. 

LightSources offers a wide selection of UVC germicidal lamps found in many surface, water, and air sterilization systems worldwide.  We offer the leading, high-tech lamp designers in the industry offering custom designed germicidal solutions.  Contact us to learn more about the proven effectiveness of UV air sterilization lamps in HVAC systems.

Where to Use UV Light to Help Sterilize Restaurants

With many restaurants across the nation seeing an increase in capacity and more dining moving indoors, restaurant owners are asking themselves how they can keep their restaurant and patrons safe. Improving surface sterilization methods and indoor air quality present two major opportunities for restaurant owners to improve safety. Ultraviolet (UV) lamps, specifically UV lamps engineered with germicidal properties, provide both surface and air purification solutions and are helping restaurants to remain open at maximum capacity.

UV Light Restaurant Applications

Ultraviolet light emitted in the UVC range has long been known to have powerful germicidal effectiveness in killing germs such as bacteria, viruses and even preventing mold and mildew. UV lamps are beneficial to almost every area of a restaurant from keeping food fresh to sterilizing surfaces and preventing grease build-up and kitchen hood exhaust fans. UVC lamps also protect an entire restaurant when used in HVAC air purification systems with improved indoor air quality.

Here are some of the many applications where UV lamps help to protect restaurants:

Food irradiation - helps to keep food fresher longer and prevents early spoilage such as early sprouting of potatoes and onions.

Surfaces for food preparation - UV lamps positioned above food preparation counters help to prevent foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella and E. coli. UVC germicidal lamps are proven effective at eliminating these types of food borne illnesses.

Commercial kitchen hood exhausts  - UV lamps help to prevent the buildup of grease in kitchen hood exhausts which promotes efficient operation and eliminates a fire hazard.

UV air purification systems - UVC air purification systems are proven to be highly effective at improving indoor air quality and eliminating the threat of airborne pathogens. According to an article published by the National Restaurant Association, UV sterilization systems are one way restaurants can improve air quality to prepare for increased capacity.

UVC germicidal lamps are so effective they can be used in almost any area of a restaurant and on many surfaces. UVC lamps placed over food buffets and delis help to keep food fresh and prevent contamination. UVC lamps can even be placed inside walk-in freezers to prevent mold and mildew which thrives in cold, moist, and dark places.

LightSources offers high quality, high-tech UVC germicidal lamps for use in water, surface, and air sterilization systems in many applications. We specialize in high quality UV germicidal solutions and customize lamps to meet specific sterilization requirements. Contact us to learn more about our germicidal UVC lamps proven in food and restaurant sterilization applications.