Wine cellars should have a humidity level of 50% to 70% to keep the cork of wine bottles moist. It can entice the growth of mold within the wine storage as a result of this. But don't worry, it can simply be wiped away with a clean, soft cloth. Plus, molds aren’t really bad and they won't affect the quality of the wine within their bottles.
It could, however, have an impact on the bottle's aesthetic.... unless you are going for the old wine cave look for your bottles, which adds a touch of character and can signify a bottle of wine that has developed with proper age. On the flip side, it can spread if left unmanaged for an extended period, turning what was once fascinating into something revolting.
Mold and other bacteria can also develop in HVAC systems and that includes Wine Cellar Cooling Units. Mold growth is inevitable due to the humidity in the cellar, but you can prevent it with this awesome technology known as UV Light Technology.
You may be wondering about the relevance of Ultraviolet Light (UV light) Technology in wine cellar cooling systems, as well as what UVGI is and how it functions. So, let's learn more about them and answer a few basic questions regarding this technology.
What is Ultraviolet Light?
Ultraviolet Light is a form of naturally occurring electromagnetic radiation found in sunlight that makes up for around 10% of the total light produced by the sun. Unlike visible light, UV light has wavelengths that are shorter than visible light but longer than x-rays.
This light has a wavelength of 10nm to 400nm and is divided into three sub-bands:
- UV-A (near) or blacklight ultraviolet
- UV-B (middle) or dangerous ultraviolet
- UV-C (far) or germicidal ultraviolet – this is the ideal wavelength to kill viruses and bacteria
What is Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation?
Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection procedure that kills microorganisms like bacteria, fungus, mold, and mildew with short-wavelength ultraviolet or UV-C light and helps to prevent the transmission of airborne pathogens.
Since the 1950s, the use of UVGI in disinfection has been practiced, and it is now used in several applications such as food, air, and water purification.
UV-C energy emitted by UVGI fixtures has shorter wavelengths than more penetrating UV-A and UV-B rays and poses less of a health risk to humans. The length of time a microorganism is exposed to UV light, as well as the intensity and frequency of the UV radiation, determine the effectiveness of germicidal UV light.
UVGI is used in a variety of settings, including homes and commercial areas such as restaurants, hospitals, schools, office buildings, and industrial facilities.
Are UV Lighting and UVGI the same thing?
The answer: No
UV light has been known to kill germs for a long time and has been used for more than 100 years. UVGI is a sterilization/decontamination method that makes use of UV light.
UV lighting is a component of UVGI – which is also known as UV disinfection lighting because it encompasses more than one UVGI technique. By UV disinfection lighting, it means any UV light that can be used to eliminate germs in different ways, even with the present coronavirus pandemic, this UV disinfection lightning technology is amazing, and more hospitals should be implementing it!
How Does UV Lighting Work?
This UV disinfection technology, which is commonly used in HVAC applications, kills bacteria with short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) light. DNA begins to degrade when exposed to UV-C, eventually becoming so damaged that it is no longer usable. When mold, fungus, or bacteria are exposed to UV-C, their DNA degrades to the point that they are unable to replicate and die.
UV-C light ranges from 200 to 300 nm. The UV-C light in our wine cooling units uses an optimal frequency of 254 nm.
How Does UV Lighting Work With Our Units?
Microorganisms thrive in air handling units, making them particularly susceptible to bacterial growth. Fungus, mold, and bacteria can be brought in from the outdoors or the cellar. The moisture buildup inside the compartment is the perfect environment for organisms to grow, and they can be brought into the cellar.
As an add-on feature, UV lighting technology targets the growth of these bacteria and microorganisms inside the wine cellar cooling system.
To keep the evaporator coil and drip tray unclogged and working at maximum efficiency, the UV-C light bulb is placed within the evaporator compartment exposing them directly to the UV light, boosting the total efficiency and performance of the unit.
Depending on the blower orientation, the transformer box, and UV-C light bulb can be installed on any access panel on the evaporator side of the wine cooler unit. Also, the UV light never comes in contact with wine bottles in the cellar with this configuration, so your bottles are protected from UV exposure.
You can find this amazing technology, which will be available as an add-on option for a UV light, on the following modern wine cooler cellar units:
WhisperKOOL Slimline LS Cooling Unit
Read the product review of WhisperKOOL Slimline LS Cooling Unit
WhisperKOOL Phantom Series Wine Cellar Air Conditioners
Read the product review of the WhisperKOOL Phantom Series
What Are The Benefits Of UV Lighting?
Here are a few reasons why you should think about adding UV Light Technology when choosing a cooling system for wine cellars.
1. Stops mold growth within the system
UV light works to prevent microbial growth in hard-to-reach areas like cooling coils, air filters, drain pans, and duct surfaces to keep the entire wine cooling system running at top efficiency.
Condensation is common due to the low temperature of the coil, which encourages mold growth. The UV light on the interior of the compartment will work to prevent microorganisms from accumulating, extending the life of your wine cellar coolers.
2. Improved Airflow
UV light can also serve as an air purification system. It enhances airflow within the cellar by preventing the growth of microbes inside the wine cooling unit. The main advantages are that it reduces energy usage, lowers maintenance costs over time, improves the quality of the wine cellar cooling unit, and increases overall indoor air quality.
3. Eliminates Pathogens and Allergen Levels
UV light is effective at eliminating and deactivating all types of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungus within the wine cooling system. Additionally, it targets and reduces pathogen and allergen levels within the wine cellar.
4. Targets Odors and Unpleasant Smells
UV light eliminates mold and fungus, which are the source of several odors and unpleasant smells. Having the UV light technology added into the wine cooling system reduces unpleasant odors that often accompany mold and bacterial growth within the wine room.
5. Ensures Efficiency
Adding UV lighting to wine room coolers improves the overall air quality inside your cellar while also protecting the unit from mold and other bacterial growth, this improved the performance and longevity of the unit. UV light aids in the maintenance of healthier and cleaner wine room cooling units, allowing them to operate at maximum efficiency.
Final Word
UV Light, or Ultraviolet Light, is a type of electromagnetic radiation that falls between visible light and x-rays on the electromagnetic spectrum. It's invisible to the human eye, but can be detected by special sensors.
In Wine Cellar Cooling Units, UV light is used to kill bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that can grow inside the cooling system. It works by disrupting the DNA of these microbes, rendering them unable to reproduce and spread. This helps increase overall indoor air quality, keeping the wine fresh and free from any unwanted flavors or odors while extending the life of your wine cooling system.
So if you're looking to keep your wine collection in top-notch condition, consider incorporating UV Light Technology into your wine storage units.
ADD UV LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR COOLING SYSTEM NOW!
Remember to include UV Lighting Technology when purchasing Wine Cellar Cooling Systems for improved indoor air quality and enhanced performance of the unit.
Need to match your cooling system with modern wine racks? Check out Ultra Wine Racks!
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