Installing a UV light in your air conditioning system is a great way to ensure that everyone in the family can breathe easily and stay healthy. While it may be tempting to try a home installation, errors during the process can make them ineffective, making any savings debatable. It's best to have a professional HVAC technician install the UV lamp, as not doing so could void the warranty. UV sterilizing coil lights are designed to sterilize contaminants from the evaporator coil and the drain pan inside the air conditioning system.
HVAC UV lights are also good for limiting mold growth throughout the HVAC system and preventing certain respiratory diseases. Filters need to be replaced more often than bulbs in a UV light system, making them difficult to maintain and reducing their effectiveness if you forget to change the filter. To keep your UV light system running optimally, it's important to perform regular maintenance. Every three months, turn off the air conditioning system, remove the lamp and wipe the UV bulb with a soft cloth.
Mounting UV lights to all ducts in the system is not recommended; instead, install the lamp as close to the center of the duct as possible so that as much air as possible receives UV light when the air conditioner or oven is on. The spiral disinfectant lights should be installed to work constantly and placed in areas most sensitive to microbial growth. The cost of replacing a UV light in an AC unit will depend on several factors, such as the type of light, its wattage, and whether you hire a professional or do it yourself. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $200 for a replacement bulb, plus labor costs if you hire a professional.
If you're concerned about indoor air quality, installing an ultraviolet (UV) light in your air conditioning system is an excellent way to improve it. Although it's possible to install one yourself, it's best to leave this job to a professional HVAC technician. Not only will they be able to do it correctly, but depending on the manufacturer, not having the UV lamp installed by a professional could automatically void the warranty.
