Are you considering installing a UV light in your HVAC system? Depending on the model, your UV bulb may be running constantly or only when the air conditioner is turned on. Most manufacturers suggest replacing the UV lamp every 9000 hours or approximately every 12 months. An annual replacement program is also recommended for those with allergies and other respiratory conditions. UV systems may not instantly eradicate all pathogens, but they are still great for purifying the air. According to the EPA, passing all air through UV light eliminates around 99.9% of contaminants.
It is essential to replace all UV bulbs every three years regardless of how often they are used. Mold spores and bacteria from the condenser coil could make their way to the air supply, so these UV lights offer very little benefit. UVC radiation doesn't interact with circulating air for long, so only UV lights installed in the ducts that treat airflow could be useful. Studies have found that certain harmful organisms die when exposed to specific wavelengths of UV light. However, most bacteria, mold spores, and viruses in the air travel very easily through UV light without being affected at all. If your UV lamp is installed in an air conditioning system in a vacation home or other secondary residence where it is not used regularly, you can wait up to two years before replacing the UV bulbs.
If your UV lamp is three years old, turn off the system until you change the UV bulb. For more information on HVAC UV filtration and other clean air solutions for your home, contact Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning. HVAC technicians will use several points to explain why you should add UV filters to your system. The truth is that UV filtration for HVAC systems is a new technology that some irresponsible or uninformed HVAC companies impose on their customers, but it doesn't really work that well.
