March 19, 2000 - UV lights for cleaner air catching on

Ultraviolet light, the kind of light produced by the sun, is being used in new clean air technology now being marketed on Hilton Head Island. The UV lights are installed in heating and air condition ducts and come in portable units. Some claim the lights help prevent illness and minimize allergies by sterilizing air.

Three local companies are selling the lights: Epperson and Lang's, specializing in heating and air conditioning, and Enhance-It, which sells air and water filters.

The UV lights work on the same principle as sunlight, which kills viruses, bacteria, molds and other microbes by breaking down their DNA. The air must make direct contact with the bulb.

Since World War II, large UV lights have been used to kill airborne diseases in hospitals and laboratories. In the past five years, the technology has been made smaller and more affordable for residential and commercial use.

Jeff Moorehouse, a University of South Carolina engineering professor who specializes in heating and air conditioning, has studied scientific reports about UV lights as air cleaners. "It's existing technology. UV lights are everywhere - in fish tanks, grow lights and in glue hardener," he said. "The question is not if they work, but how efficiently."

Moorehouse said local scientists should study kill times for the specific microbes living in the Lowcountry. Effectiveness also depends on the power of the light, size of the room and length of exposure.

Victoria Anderson, loan officer for Lighthouse Mortgage, has a portable light in her office and bulbs in the ducts of of her South Forest Beach villa. She's convinced the lights are good for her. "I think it has improved my allergies to mold and mildew," Anderson said.

Dr. Paul Long of Heritage Medical Center on Hilton Head Island wants the clinic's board of directors to approve the addition of air-conditioner duct UV lights. "I have no reservation about it," he said.

Large heating and air-conditioning companies, including Carrier and Trane, soon will incorporate ultraviolet lights in new units, said Enhance-It president Warren Lynn. "It's going to be in your house sooner or later," he said.

Lynn said he recently attended an international conference on heating and air conditioning in Dallas, where the technology was a topic.

Ben Phipps, service manager for Lang's, said customers are slowly becoming aware of the UV lights, resulting in increased demand. Both Lynn and Phipps said the lights are a partial solution, but not a cure-all, to better indoor air quality.

The UV lights range in price from $499 to $595 installed. The lights need a new bulb every year. The bulbs cost $70 - $100, depending on the strength.

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UV Light Technology Now Available to Consumers For Home Air Purification

December 7, 1999 - Hilton Head Island, SC - South Carolina-based Enhance-It, LLC recently began marketing two new products which employ ultraviolet (UV) light technology to purify air and eliminate germs in consumers' homes. The technology, long proven to be effective and widely used in a variety of commercial settings, has not been available to consumers for home use until a short time ago.

According to the American Lung Association's research, more than 20% of the U.S. population suffers from allergies related to indoor pollutants. While most home filtration systems capture dirt, dust and pollen, they do not remove allergens from the air.

UV light technology, on the other hand, literally sterilizes microorganisms. Because UV light is absorbed by proteins in microorganisms, it inactivates their DNA and prevents the microorganisms from reproducing. In this manner, the technology sterilizes molds, germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi and spores from the air. These airborne contaminants, known as bioaerosols, can cause a variety of illnesses including cold viruses, staph, strep, influenza, measles, chicken pox and many, many more.

According to Warren Lynn, President of Enhance-It, LLC, "It's a known fact that the ultraviolet component of sunlight is the main reason microbes die in the outdoor air. Duplicating the concept, UV Cleanser disinfectants have been used to sterilize germs located indoors for decades. They've been tested and utilized by companies such as General Electric and Westinghouse. Ever since WW II, UV technology has been employed in healthcare settings, labs, clean rooms, commercial buildings, food processing plants, and other environments where' clean air' is critical. Now we're pleased to make this highly effective technology available to consumers to promote healthier living in their own homes."

Enhance-It's products include Northern Lights® UV Cleanser and Northern Lights® 2000. Northern Lights® UV Cleanser is available for installation in consumers' home HVAC systems for $499.00, including the installation fees of a HVAC certified contractor. It is installed at the cold air return of the heating/air conditioning system and includes a lamp that emits UV light. The UV light eliminates or greatly reduces germs and viruses circulated by the HVAC system and provides coverage up to 5000 square feet.

Northern Lights® 2000 is a portable, in-room unit which can be carried from room to room, used when traveling, taken to the office, etc. It retails for $459.00 and operates on the same principle as the installed product and provides coverage up to 1000 cubic feet.

Neither product utilizes chemicals. Both are proven safe and are ETL certified which meets all federal standards. In addition, both products have the capability to reduce frequent cold symptoms, fatigue, depression, frequent headaches, allergy symptoms, constant snoring, nasal congestion, and irritability.

Each Northern Lights® product is available with the optional Enhanced Ozone generation lamp that reduces odors and smoke. The company also carries replacement UV Germicidal Bulbs, which should be changed every 12 months.

Although Enhance-It's Northern Lights® UV Cleanser has only been on the market for approximately 8 months, it is the #1 seller in its product category in the U.S. , Mr. Lynn stated that the reason behind its success, having sold and installed more than 15,000 units, is primarily due to its economical pricing, ease of installation and full compliance with all federal regulations.

The portable Northern Lights® 2000 is brand new. Mr. Lynn also noted, "As far as we know, Northern Lights® 2000 is the only available portable, in-room unit of its kind on the market that is ETL certified, meeting all federal standards. We're excited that we can now offer consumers a choice of products which allow for flexibility of use."

Enhance-It, LLC was recently established as a company dedicated to discovering and marketing products that enhance quality of life. Mr. Lynn stated that each of the company's products carry a 30-day unconditional money back guarantee and a 1-year warranty. "We are committed to ensuring 100% customer satisfaction on all our products and services," he added.

Enhance-It's products are available for purchase by calling 843-306-0070 or via the Internet at www.enhance-it.com. Warren Lynn, President of Enhance-it, LLC stated, "It would be remiss of our company not to capitalize on the growing popularity of Internet shopping. As part of our company's commitment to customer satisfaction, we want to make our products easy to purchase, as well as easy to use, as consumers continue to seek out ways to enhance their quality of life."

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Enhance-It Press Releases

March 19, 2000 - UV lights for cleaner air catching on