Do HVAC UV Lights Stay On All The Time?

The build-up of bacteria can have a detrimental effect on air conditioning systems, and one way to prevent this is to install a UV light model near or above the evaporator coil. This light helps to stop bacteria and fungi from forming around the coil. But do microorganisms need to be in direct sight of the UVC in order to be killed? The answer is yes, if UVC rays are used. For the UVC to be effective, the germs must be exposed directly.

While germs can be affected by reflected UV radiation, it takes longer and must be closer to the light source. Only a few materials, such as polished aluminum and magnesium oxide, are able to effectively reflect UVC. Your HVAC UV lights will work continuously in the background, without you having to worry about them. However, it is important to keep them clean and replace any damaged or switched off lights as necessary. It is also important not to touch the surfaces of the lamp directly, as skin oils can reduce the emission of UV rays. Whenever you approach UV lights, it is essential to wear eye protection.

If you are concerned about the risks associated with working with UV lights, contact an HVAC company for maintenance. The truth is that UV filtration for HVAC is a new technology that some irresponsible or uninformed HVAC companies offer their customers, but it does not work very well. Most HVAC UV lamps are designed to draw power from the fan, so they only operate when the air controller is turned on. There are several points that HVAC technicians will use to convince you to add UV filters to your system. In reality, most bacteria, mold spores, and viruses in the air travel very easily through UV light without being affected at all. We recommend adding a reminder to replace the UV lamp to your list of air conditioning maintenance tasks, so you don't forget it.

HVAC UV lights are relatively affordable, especially compared to air filtration systems such as purifiers and air filters. Another benefit of installing UV-C lamps in your air conditioning system is that they also destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which cause unpleasant odors reminiscent of tobacco smoke. High-frequency UV light has enough energy to destroy the DNA of bacteria and other microorganisms, killing them and disinfecting the air. We talk about how powerful UV light is because it is the basis for destroying bacteria and viruses. As mentioned earlier, UV lights are necessary to destroy mold, mildew, and other undesirable elements of the air conditioning system.

The hole location does not need to be precise, but make sure it is relatively centered in the return duct housing; you don't want to install the light too close to the return filter. Mounting UV lights on all ducts in the system will require more work and is not recommended.