Does UV Light Keep Your AC Clean and Safe?

Ultraviolet (UV) lights are being promoted for their ability to combat germs that can worsen conditions such as asthma and COPD, as well as remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause odors like tobacco smoke. Learn more about how installing a UV light syst

Does UV Light Keep Your AC Clean and Safe?

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are unable to reach the Earth's surface, as they are absorbed by the atmosphere. However, UV lights are still being promoted for their ability to combat germs that can worsen conditions such as asthma and COPD, as well as remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that cause odors like tobacco smoke. When a UV light is set up to shine on the condenser coil and drain pan of an HVAC system, it can be highly effective in preventing mold and bacteria from accumulating.

HVAC UV

lights are also beneficial in limiting mold growth throughout the system and preventing certain respiratory illnesses.

The most common type of HVAC light is an entrance light that is placed near the central air system fan. Although its cleaning power is not visible to the human eye, several studies suggest that UV lights kill germs quickly. We recommend installing a UV light system designed to disinfect the air in the return air duct of your air conditioner. HVAC UV lights are an effective way of improving indoor air quality, but only after following indoor air quality priorities. Once installed, UV lights require minimal maintenance and only need attention when they need to be cleaned or replaced.

Since germicidal UV light is most likely installed in your air conditioner, you don't have to worry about it damaging vulnerable plastic components. If you'd rather not take the risk of damaging your air conditioner, you may want to have an HVAC technician handle the installation. They may have mentioned that UV filtration in the air conditioning system is the ultimate technology for purifying the air, how it can protect you and your loved ones, reduce allergies, and help prevent you from getting sick. While UV lights in air conditioning systems are effective at sterilizing contaminants and allergens, they have some limitations. UV air purifiers use UV-C light (a wavelength of light of 254 nanometers) that is absorbed by the DNA of microorganisms. Finally, some sales HVAC technicians opt for UV light treatment in the system because it can kill bacteria.

To determine which offers better value for money - since both achieve the same result - let's compare the cost of each. UV air purifiers are only effective if microorganisms pass through the UV-C light inside the air conditioning system. If you already know the advantages of using UV lights to keep your AC clean and safe, use our tool to find the best air conditioning installers in your area and get the best deal on installing UV lights for your AC system.

Bryan Berschauer
Bryan Berschauer

Subtly charming twitter fanatic. Proud music aficionado. Lifelong food ninja. Typical beer advocate. Hardcore food maven. Hipster-friendly beer nerd.