Understanding UVC vs. Fluorescent Lighting: Which Is Right for Your Space?
Olympia Lighting designs, sells, and manufactures industrial-grade LED lights and fixtures for the commercial lighting industry. With COVID-19 and other viruses spreading throughout the world, germicidal lighting is more important than ever before. Businesses, healthcare facilities, and schools are increasingly turning to UVC light technology to maintain a safer environment. Keep reading as we discover the difference between UVC and fluorescent lighting!
What Is UVC Light?
UVC light technology is a radiation method that makes use of a specific wavelength of between 200-320nm to neutralize microorganisms. This type of light is germicidal, which means it reduces the spread of bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.
This powerful disinfection method works by disrupting the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, rendering them inactive and preventing them from reproducing. Because of its effectiveness, UVC light is commonly used in hospitals, laboratories, and clean rooms where maintaining a sterile environment is critical.
This type of light is found in healthcare facilities and schools to provide a safer and cleaner environment. However, it’s important to avoid looking directly at them since the ultraviolet radiation isn’t blocked.
Olympia’s UVC light fixtures are proven by third-party laboratories for a 99.9 percent reduction in viruses including COVID-19, bacteria, and mold.
Key Features of Olympia’s UVC Light Fixtures:
- The UVC light is concealed, allowing for 24/7 Air Disinfection without any safety hazards.
- UVC LED Disinfection at 265nm wavelengths which is considered the most effective wavelength for neutralizing viruses and bacteria.
- 5-Year Warranty ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
- No Hazardous Mercury making them an environmentally friendly alternative to older germicidal lamps.
- Meet the Zero Ozone Concentration requirements eliminating harmful emissions.
- Patented Designs and Technology ensuring state-of-the-art efficiency and safety.
- Certified to UL Safety Standards for compliance with industry regulations.
Our UVC disinfectant products are proven and practical solutions for schools, nursing homes, workspaces, and more! ESCNJ (Education Services Commission of NJ) has approved our UVC Air Disinfection Products.
What Is Fluorescent Light?
Fluorescent lighting is a very versatile type of lighting that you’ll encounter in the grocery store, your home, or a business. These types of lights are very energy efficient when you compare them to halogen or incandescent.
Fluorescent bulbs work by using an electric current to excite mercury vapor inside the bulb. This process produces ultraviolet (UV) light, which then interacts with a phosphor coating inside the tube to create visible light. Unlike UVC lighting, which is used for disinfection, fluorescent lighting is primarily used for illumination in offices, schools, and commercial buildings.
When compared to UVC lighting, fluorescent tubes use the same technology as UV lights. However, different phosphors are used to convert UV radiation to visible light. These phosphors absorb UV radiation making them safe to look directly at.
Common Types of Fluorescent Lighting
There are four common types of fluorescent lighting:
- Fluorescent circline tubes
- Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)
- Linear fluorescent tubes
- Fluorescent bent tubes
In fact, CFLs were one of the first replacements for traditional incandescent and halogen lighting in homes, but they never caught quite as much as LEDs have.
UVC vs. Fluorescent Light: What’s the Difference?
UVC lighting includes special germicidal light bulbs that can’t be found in home improvement stores since the emitted light poses a threat to humans and animals, when in direct contact. UVC bulbs and germicidal fixtures need to be purchased through specialty online outlets like Olympia Lighting!
Fluorescent bulbs, on the other hand, can be easily found in home improvement stores as they are used in all types of lighting fixtures for residential and commercial buildings.
Key Takeaways:
- Olympia’s UVC lights are proven by third-party laboratories for a 99.9 percent reduction in viruses including COVID-19, bacteria, and mold.
- Fluorescent lights use phosphors to convert UVC to visible light.
Discover More About Lighting from Olympia Lighting
Olympia Lighting is here to help! Check out our website to find the right types of lights that you need for your business to be a healthy, safe environment with great lighting. Give us a call at (551) 209-3304 today.
