HVAC UV lights are designed to improve the air quality in your home. UV stands for ultraviolet, a spectrum of light that is very effective at killing bacteria, mold, and other disease-causing microorganisms. These lights are used as a safe disinfection solution in industrial, commercial, and healthcare settings. For instance, the food industry ensures the safety of its products by irradiating working surfaces to disinfect them. UV lights are also used to purify water to ensure that it is safe to drink by eliminating harmful microorganisms. When used in the HVAC system, UV air purifiers work in a similar way to eliminate harmful bacteria, mold, and other microorganisms in the air.
If you are interested in learning more about how these UV lights work and what the benefits are, contact your local HVAC service contractor for advice. They will analyze your household and recommend the appropriate HVAC UV light system for your particular requirements.
To get a quote on an HVAC UV light system or learn more in the St. Louis area, contact the heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today!
Types of HVAC UV Light Systems
There are two main types of UV lights used as part of an HVAC disinfection system, and they are typically installed inside the return air duct:
- Coil sterilizers are the most common type available and are installed such that the UV light shines on the air handler coil. The “stick-type” lights then sterilize the air handler coil 24/7, ensuring that contamination is addressed at the source.
- Air sterilizers are a complete light unit that sterilizes air as it moves through the HVAC system. Thus, it does not work continuously but only cycles on as the air handler blower works.
The Benefits of Installing HVAC UV Lights
There are many benefits to using UV lights to purify the air in your home. These include:
- Reducing the risk of catching diseases such caused by bacteria and mold. Fungal contamination of HVAC systems is a serious issue that can contribute to vulnerable members of the household contracting diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
- Helps ensure that HVAC systems work more efficiently by preventing algae growth that can cause clogging in the condensate drain lines.
- Reduces the cost of running the system by ensuring that the coils are cleaner.
- Improves the quality of air in your home. By reducing contaminants such as mold and allergens in your home, members of the household who suffer from allergies can breathe more easily.
HVAC Maintenance Requirements
To ensure that your HVAC UV lights provide you with the optimum protection, you need to have a comprehensive maintenance program. Aside from periodic cleaning, you should regularly replace the bulbs since they degrade and become less effective over time. Generally, UV lights used in residential settings should be replaced every 9000 hours or approximately once a year. However, if the lights are only used to keep the coils clean, you can keep the lights for their maximum two-year lifespan. Once the HVAC UV lights are up and working, you can enjoy protection against contaminants for a minimal energy cost.
Contact Us for HVAC UV Light Installation in St. Louis
HVAC UV lights have to be installed correctly to ensure that they are effective and you get the maximum benefit from them. Thus, you should be sure to hire a trustworthy St. Louis HVAC technician to perform the installation. Galmiche & Sons Heating & Cooling has years of experience installing HVAC UV lights in residential and commercial settings. Call our St. Louis heating & air conditioning company today at 314-993-1110 for your free quote!
