UV Lights Aren't Up to Speed Unless You Change the Bulbs Now and Then

A relatively recent advance in home air filtration technology is ultraviolet (UV) germicidal light systems. Many homeowners are adding UV lights to their filtration systems, in order to eliminate unwanted microorganisms in the indoor air. This improves indoor air quality and health while also protecting HVAC system components.

What’s the deal with UV lights? Unlike regular filtration systems, which remove a variety of airborne particulates indiscriminately, UV lights neutralize and eliminate many of the bacteria, viruses and mold spores in the indoor air, the sorts of germs and particles that can trigger or exacerbate allergies, respiratory illness and other health issues.

Using and replacing UV lamps. You can install UV lamps in your ductwork with the light shining on the moving airstream in your HVAC system. On repeated passes through the system, your indoor air will gradually lose most of the microorganisms that it has been carrying. Your other option is to target mold and bacteria in your heat pump or A/C system by installing the lamps to shine right on the indoor coil and/or condensate pan.

To get the best use out of your UV lights and improve air quality of your home, make sure you switch out the bulbs on a regular schedule. Do it annually if the UV lights are installed in your duct system, and every other year for UV lights shining on the indoor coil or condensate pan. Don’t let any of these bulbs go more than two years without changing them, since the filtering capacity will diminish with time and eventually disappear altogether. Also, a non-working UV light system can actually damage your HVAC equipment.

If you need help installing a UV light system in your northwest Arkansas home, feel free to contact the professionals at Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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