Why it is important to install a UV light in your HVAC System?

Why you should Install a UV LIGHT

Why it is important to install a UV light in your HVAC System? If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your HVAC system and its role in your indoor air quality. However, your air conditioning system is a key part of keeping your home’s air clean and healthy. Beyond air purifiers, another way to boost your indoor air quality is to install UV lights in your HVAC system. Since you spend up to 90% of your time indoors, it’s important to consider the impact the system can have on your long-term health and how UV lights for your system can help.

What is a UV Light for an HVAC System?

An HVAC UV light is a device that helps to clean and purify the air in your home. These lights are installed in the air handler or ductwork of your HVAC system. As air circulates through your home it carries with it germs and allergens which eventually pass through the UV light which then sanitizes the air as it recirculates through the home.

What are the Types of UV Light?

Ultraviolet light is one of several types of light that exist within the entire light spectrum. UV-C light, also known as short wave light, is the type used in most HVAC systems. It has the power to kill many nasty contaminants.

How Does a UV Light Work?

Germicidal UV lights for HVAC systems are unique UV lights that kill or ‘deactivate’ viruses, bacteria, mold, and other airborne pathogens. They are commonly utilized in both residential and commercial systems. UV lights aren’t a new technology and have been used for almost a century to treat issues like TB in hospitals settings.

The light produced by the systems is similar to that of sunshine but at a greater intensity. Such intense illumination is capable of destroying the nucleic acids of bacteria cells. The bacteria’s DNA is destroyed as a result, leaving the germs unable to replicate (some even die right away).

How Effective are UV Lights?

UV lights have been found very effective in reducing microbial growth inside your HVAC system. In fact, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was given to Niels Ryberg Finsen in 1903 for his work using UV light to cure some skin infections. UV lights are so effective that many hospitals, restaurants, stores, and other businesses use them to sterilize equipment.

Studies of UV light in HVAC systems have also shown significant positive results. One study found that UV lights were able to reduce the amount of mold and bacteria in a home by upto 97%. Another study showed that UV light air purifiers were able to reduce the amount of airborne flu virus by upto 90%.

Where Do UV Lights Get Installed?

There are two main types of UV lights for HVAC systems:

  1. Coil sanitizing lights – these are designed for AC units that sit near your evaporator coil which holds the refrigerant that cools your home. This is also a moist area for mold and bacteria to breed while dirt, debris, and pet dander accumulate.
  2. Air sanitizing lights – these are placed in your supply vents, which are part of the ductwork of your central HVAC system. These UV lights sanitize the air before it is circulated through the home.

UV Lights for Your Air Conditioner

Airborne viruses, mold spores, and bacteria are all around us but they thrive in sensitive areas deep within your AC system that tend to get moist. By installing UV lights your HVAC system can be disinfected in the vulnerable edges and grooves, you can also help eliminate these contaminants from circulating throughout your home.

UV Lights for Your Furnace

When installing a UV light for a furnace it is important to check and clean your air ducts. If your ductwork is leaking, the efficiency of your UV light will be reduced. Through the holes in the ductwork, a significant amount of pollutants could be drawn in, limiting the impact the light will have.

UV Lights and Air Filters

An HVAC air filter prevents dust, pollutants, allergens, and large particles from passing through the cooling coil when the air conditioner is on. But even if you use a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filter, particles less than 0.3 microns will be able to pass through. UV lights for AC systems supplement your filters and provide an extra layer of protection.

Are UV Lights Safe?

UV lights are safe when properly handled and installed. A qualified professional will take the proper installation precautions and follow these safety tips:

  • Using the correct spectrum of UV light
  • Install the light according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Install the light correctly so that no UV light will ever reach a home occupant’s eyes.

Benefits of UV Lights

It may surprise you but the air pollution in your home can be worse than outdoors. The top benefits of UV lights in your HVAC system include:

  • Improved efficiency and airflow
  • Reduced energy costs
  • Elimination of mold and mildew
  • Reduced allergies, asthma, and respiratory symptoms
  • Kills viruses and bacteria
  • Reduces odors
  • Improves indoor air quality

If you are concerned about the quality of your indoor air, upgrading to a UV light system will improve the energy efficiency of your HVAC system while also reducing your energy costs.

Disadvantages of UV Lights

The main disadvantages of HVAC UV lights are:

  • They can be expensive to install
  • They require regular maintenance
  • If installed incorrectly they can damage your ducts or system

Why it is important to install a UV light in your HVAC System?

If you or someone in your family has respiratory issues, such as allergies or asthma, you know how important it is to have good indoor air quality. By installing an HVAC UV light, you can eliminate mold and mildew, kill viruses and bacteria, and reduce odors, all of which will improve the quality of your indoor air.

Furthermore, UV lights increase efficiency in your HVAC system. The UV lamps will clean the coils and air that passes through the HVAC system naturally and continuously. As a result, your HVAC system capacity could be restored by up to 35%. A cleaner HVAC system also means lower energy bills.

How Much Do UV Lights Cost?

The cost of an HVAC UV light system will depend on the size of your system and the type of UV light you choose. But, in general, you can expect to pay between $200 and $700 for a quality UV light system.

How Long Do UV Lights Last?

UV lights should be replaced every 1 to 5 years, depending on the model and manufacturer. For instance, a Carrier coil UV light is recommended to be replaced every 9000 run time hours or every year. You may need to replace your UV bulb sooner if it’s not working properly or if you notice a decline in indoor air quality.

During your regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance check ask your HVAC professional to:

  • Wipe away dust on lamps that reduce the strength and effectiveness of the UV light.
  • Avoid touching UV lamp surfaces. Fingerprints contain oil that diminishes UV output and may cause the lamp to heat unevenly.

Best UV Light for HVAC System

Designed to combine a UV-C light on an advanced catalyst, the HALO creates low concentrations of gaseous hydrogen peroxide in the air that disperses throughout your space.

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent natural disinfectant for reducing viruses, germs, mildew spores, smells, VOCs, and other microorganisms in the air and on surfaces in your house. HALO’s ability to produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide in the air that circulates through your air conditioning system and indoor spaces means it is both actively reducing growth in your air conditioner and improving air quality throughout your home.

Can I Install a UV Light Myself?

Installing a UV light in your HVAC system is a great way to improve your indoor air quality. UV lights are safe, effective, and relatively inexpensive. But this isn’t a DIY job. In order to work its magic, the UV light has to be installed correctly into your HVAC system (and UV lights can be damaging to your eyes if you aren’t careful). Make sure to consult with a professional HVAC technician to ensure proper installation.

South Florida Duct’s UV Light Installation Services in Tampa

There are many benefits to upgrading your HVAC system with UV lights. Not only will it improve your indoor air quality, but it can also help to extend the life of your HVAC system. If you’re interested in installing UV lights in your home, let South Florida Ducts experts guide you.

Avoid extra costs and fewer repairs by scheduling a tune-up for your existing system before issues arise. Our professional maintenance plans keep your heating system running like clockwork without any stress or hassle. No matter what you need, we’re always just a phone call away.