Ultraviolet heaters - myth or reality?

Content:

The advantages and disadvantages of ultraviolet radiation
Devices based on ultraviolet radiation
UV sterilizer for aquarium
UV mosquito lamp
Where are UV heaters used?
Conclusion

There is a misconception that ultraviolet heaters and infrared heaters - It is the same. But this is not so - heaters based on ultraviolet radiation are used not for heating rooms, but, for example, for the functioning of a solarium. Although exposure to sunlight enriches the skin with vitamin D, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light causes burns or more serious consequences, making the tanning bed a dubious device. But devices using ultraviolet light were originally invented to eliminate bacteria, since ultraviolet rays have disinfectant properties. Nevertheless, there are still devices that use ultraviolet radiation for heating, which can in part be called heaters.

The advantages and disadvantages of ultraviolet radiation

The main advantage of ultraviolet radiation is in its disinfecting properties. It penetrates the DNA of bacteria and destroys reproductive cells, preventing them from multiplying. However, a person may not worry about his genetic code, he is reliably protected by the skin and ultraviolet rays will not reach him. And also, scientists and psychiatrists have proven that being under the sun helps in the treatment of depressive disorders, this also justifies such a phenomenon as "autumn depression", which strikes people in the absence of sunlight for a long time. Other benefits of UV rays include:

helps plants accumulate vitamin A, which they use in photosynthesis;
stimulates the production of vitamin D, which is beneficial to humans, which helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

The disadvantages of UV light are also significant:

prolonged exposure to the sun will lead to burns and more serious consequences, including cancer;
a severe burn of the cornea of the eye is possible (a person gets light burns almost every day when he goes outside, but the eye recovers from them on its own).

Devices based on ultraviolet radiation

The phrase "UV heaters" does not mean a heater in the traditional sense of the word. Such devices look like a conventional lamp, which performs various functions, usually disinfecting. They are made of special glass.

Such lamps can be seen in hospitals; either large in the wards (with their help they disinfect the premises in the absence of patients), or small ones that help in the treatment of colds - ultraviolet rays are directed to the nose and their heat can cure a runny nose. They are also used according to the same principle, but for the treatment of ear infections - the lamp is directed to the ear.

UV Sterilizer for Aquarium

The device used for cleaning aquariums is assembled from a small cylinder with two tubes inside for water inlet and outlet. An ultraviolet lamp is located inside this cylinder. The principle of operation of the device is that dirty water enters through one tube, is disinfected from ultraviolet rays, and exits through another tube already purified. However, cleaning the aquarium with this device is not always effective because, for example, in large aquariums, the device will not be able to collect water that is closer to the bottom of the aquarium, and it will remain partially dirty. And in salt water, due to its density, the device is generally useless.

This device is not recommended to be used on a permanent basis, as ultraviolet rays destroy not only harmful bacteria, but also those that are good for fish, snails and other inhabitants of aquariums.

UV mosquito lamp

It is a device that looks like a cell through which a current flows with ultraviolet LEDs inside. The principle of operation of the device is that the ultraviolet radiation attracts insects, they sit on the grate and the current discharge eliminates them. The advantages of the device are obvious, but the disadvantages include the inability to work during daylight hours and in rainy weather.

Where are UV heaters used?

In addition to repelling insects and disinfecting medical institutions, ultraviolet heaters are used for other purposes:

Beauty salons use ultraviolet devices to process manicure tools; those that cannot be used for another type of disinfection.
In spas, you can find towel dryers - cupboard-like devices that contain a heating element and UV lamps that dry and disinfect towels.
There are ultraviolet shoe dryers - these are two small devices with a heating element inside and an ultraviolet lamp.
In dental centers, they are used to install light fillings.
Prevention of bacterial growth in swimming pools.

Conclusion

When choosing a heater, you do not need to stop your choice on an ultraviolet device - it is simply not safe to keep such devices in the house, since, as already mentioned, even in medical institutions, disinfection with ultraviolet heaters is carried out only in the absence of people in the room. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays is harmful to the eyes and skin. To warm up the house, consider infrared gas heaters or electric convectors.

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