How Do UV Lights for HVAC Systems Work?

When you think of ultraviolet light, you probably picture getting sunburned after spending a day at the pool. However, UV light is also a strategy for improving indoor air quality. Sunscreen protects against UVA and UVB rays, but UVC is the type of light found in air purification. If you suffer from allergies or asthma or want to minimize the spread of illnesses around your home, a UV light in the HVAC system could be the air quality solution you’ve been looking for! 

How Does a UV Light Operate? 

The germicidal effects of ultraviolet light have been known for more than 100 years. UVC rays were even used to treat tuberculosis. Today, germicidal lamps are implemented in hospitals, food processing centers, water treatment plants and air purification systems. 

A UV lamp added to your HVAC unit improves the air quality in your home by eliminating microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, mold and more. It only needs 10 seconds of contact to deactivate these germs’ DNA, killing them or preventing them from replicating. 

UV lights also target volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in cleaners and repellents alongside airborne bioaerosols like pollen and pet dander. However, UV lights don’t physically ‘trap’ contaminants, so you still need an air filtration system to extract dust, fibers and other particles from the air. 

How Effective Are UV Lights? 

Provided they are installed properly and utilize the right wavelength of UV light, germicidal lamps are highly effective at improving indoor air quality. One study out of Duke University found that UV light removed more than 97 percent of drug-resistant bacteria from the air in hospital rooms. Another analysis measured “significantly lower” fungal levels in a commercial building’s HVAC unit after four months of using a UV light. 

Benefits of UV Lights 

Install an ultraviolet lamp in your HVAC system to make the most of these benefits: 

• Cleaner indoor air: UV light technology disinfects the air 24 hours a day without dispersing chemicals into the environment. Unlike certain air purifiers, ultraviolet lamps don’t generate ozone, a known lung irritant that can be harmful to people with asthma, allergies or chronic lung diseases. 

• Decreased likelihood of getting sick: When combined with good personal hygiene, germ-killing UV lights can reduce the chance of contracting viral and bacterial infections. 
• A layer of protection for your HVAC system: Mold, fungi and bacteria can gunk up your heating and cooling equipment. Keep the system running reliably and efficiently with a hard-working UV light. 
• Reduced HVAC maintenance and repair costs: With an inherently cleaner central HVAC system, you enjoy lower maintenance requirements and fewer emergency repairs. These savings can help offset the cost of running a UV light and replacing the bulb. 

Where Do UV Lights Get Installed? 

If you select an air-sanitizing UV light, your installation technician will position it within your ductwork near the HVAC system. There, the lamp affects the air before it flows through your home. 

If you choose a coil-sanitizing UV light, it will sit near the AC evaporator coil. There, it affects mold and bacteria that grow on the damp coil, keeping your system clean and operating smoothly. 

Are UV Lights Safe? 

The sun continually emits invisible UV radiation. As you know, UVA and UVB rays can burn your skin, so it’s important to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen when spending time outside. The sun also gives off UVC rays, the most harming form of solar radiation capable of killing microorganisms and irritating other living tissue, particularly the skin and eyes. 

Thankfully, the atmosphere filters out these rays completely, so they don’t reach the earth’s surface. 

Understanding that UVC rays are hazardous, why should you feel comfortable installing a UVC light in your home? It’s simple—the light is confined to your ductwork where you never come in contact with it, so it poses no risk to you and your family. When the time comes to clean the lamp or change the bulb, your HVAC technician will turn off the system temporarily to prevent exposure to the damaging light. 

How Long Do UV Lights Last? 

UV lights are used constantly and typically last nine to 14 months. Yearly HVAC maintenance (once in the spring for your air conditioner and again in the fall for your furnace) is the ideal time to have these bulbs checked and changed out as needed. 

Schedule UV Light Installation 

Midland Air Service Experts features a range of air quality solutions, including UV lights for HVAC systems. We would be delighted to analyze your home and your family’s needs to suggest the solutions that will perform best for you. Rest assured that all work we produce is backed by a one-year 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact your local Midland Air Service Experts office to schedule UV light installation or request a free home health consultation today.