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As the COVID-19 pandemic and future infectious diseases continue
to be a major concern worldwide, the 
importance of having good indoor air
quality has become more apparent than ever before. Historically, portable air
purifiers have been an option to manage the air in rooms of your home. Now
there are two types of air purifiers that have gained popularity in
recent times, which have the technology to fight pandemics. These are
Ultraviolet C (UV-C) HVAC air purifiers and UV-C portable air purifiers. UVC
radiation has effectively been used for decades to reduce the spread of
bacteria, such as tuberculosis. For this reason, UVC lamps are often called
"germicidal" lamps. While both of these purifiers utilize UV-C
technology to clean the air, there are significant differences between each of
the two options. In this blog post, we will compare and contrast UV-C HVAC air
purifiers and UV-C portable air purifiers to help you make an informed decision
about which one is right for you.
UV-C HVAC Air Purifiers
UV-C HVAC air purifiers are installed directly into your existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. As air is circulated through your AC system, the purifier uses a high powered UV-C light to neutralize bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that are present in the air. Some HVAC air purifiers will also include carbon filters, which eliminate odors along with PCO technology to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) . This type of air purifier is designed to clean the air in your entire home or building, providing comprehensive protection against airborne pathogens.
One of the main benefits of UV-C HVAC air purifiers is that there is very little maintenance required. Once the unit is installed in the HVAC system, the only maintenance required is to change the UV-C bulb once per year to ensure utmost effectiveness. Plus, they do not take up any extra space in your home. Since HVAC systems already have some form of a filter, the HVAC air purifiers are typically small and compact. Additionally, because they purify the air as it circulates throughout your home, you can enjoy clean, fresh air in every room without having to move a portable purifier around.
UV-C Portable Air Purifiers
UV-C portable air purifiers, on the other hand, are standalone units which are typically easy to move from room to room as needed. Unlike an HVAC air purifier, portable air purifiers often use a combination of HEPA filtration and UV-C light to purify the air in a specific area. The amount of space a portable air purifier can cover can vary greatly depending on the quality of the unit. A large air purifier can cover up to 3000 sq feet in an hour, whereas a small or inexpensive air purifier will mostly likely have a small inefficient fan that may only cover a few hundred feet. Portable air purifiers are a popular choice for those who want to improve the air quality in a specific room such a bedroom, living room or kitchen. Plus, some of the better portable purifiers will not only provide visual indication of the quality of the air in your home but can automatically increase the fan to clean the air and return to a lower speed once the air quality has returned to normal.
An additional advantage of UV-C portable air purifiers is their flexibility. They can be moved from room to room or home to home as needed, which is especially useful for those who only need to purify the air in a specific area.
Comparing UV-C HVAC Air Purifiers and UV-C Portable Air Purifiers 
When it comes to comparing UV-C HVAC air purifiers and UV-C portable air purifiers, there are several important differences to consider. First and foremost, HVAC air purifiers are designed to purify the air in your entire home or building through the HVAC duct work, while portable air purifiers are designed to purify the air in a specific room or area. If you want comprehensive protection against airborne pathogens throughout your home, an HVAC air purifier may be the better choice. However, if you only need to purify the air in a single room, a portable air purifier may be more practical.
Another key difference between these two types of purifiers is maintenance. HVAC air purifiers typically only require an annual UV-C bulb replacement. Portable air purifiers, on the other hand, require annual UV-C bulb replacement, filter changes and cleaning to ensure that they continue to work effectively. If you do not want to worry about maintenance, an HVAC air purifier may be the better choice. However, if you want portability and additional air quality features, then a portable air purifier is probably right for you.
Finally, cost is another factor to consider. HVAC air purifiers and portable air purifiers are generally priced similarly based upon the air cleaning technology included. A portable unit may cost a little more because it includes a filter and features not available in a HVAC unit, however the HVAC air purifier doesn’t need a filter since the HVAC system already has the filter included.
Conclusion
Both UV-C HVAC air purifiers and UV-C portable air purifiers are effective at purifying the air in your home or building. The best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you want comprehensive protection against airborne pathogens throughout your home, an HVAC air purifier is likely the better choice. However, if you only need to purify the air in a specific room or area, a portable air purifier may be the way to go. Ultimately, both types of purifiers utilize UV-C technology to effectively clean the air and improve indoor air quality, helping to keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.