In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have been searching for ways to protect their staff, customers, and tenants. One such solution is the installation of UV lights in HVAC systems. UV lights are a great way to reduce mold growth on evaporator coils, which can improve the energy efficiency and longevity of your system. However, there are some drawbacks to using UV lights, such as high initial costs, safety risks, and limited effectiveness.
The Helo F1 is a device that emits broad-spectrum UV rays to the HVAC coils in cycles of one to two hours. This helps to save energy, as it does not need to be running constantly. A single unit consumes 45 watts of energy, which can save thousands of dollars a year in large industrial buildings. Additionally, it will turn off automatically when someone enters the room, creating a safer working environment for maintenance personnel. UV light has germicidal properties, making it ideal for disinfecting air as it passes through the air conditioning system.
It penetrates at a wavelength of 254 nanometers and destroys the nuclei of mold and bacteria, rendering them unable to reproduce. We recommend installing a UV light system designed to disinfect the air in the return air duct of your air controller. UV lights should be placed in a place where they can directly irradiate surfaces where microorganisms are likely to grow, such as the evaporator coil or drip tray. UVC devices are installed in the coils and drain buckets of the air conditioning system, which are mounted on coils or concentrated on coils. Whether or not it's worth installing UV light technology for your specific needs depends on several factors.
UV light technology has a 99% effective rate at killing mold and bacteria if air passes through it slowly enough. In turn, UV lights can help improve overall air quality in living space and potentially reduce the risk of diseases caused by microorganisms. However, 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. Additionally, UV lights are not a substitute for other methods of cleaning the air, such as air filters or proper ventilation. HVAC UV lights are relatively affordable, especially compared to air filtration systems such as purifiers and air filters. A final advantage of installing UV-C lamps in the air conditioning system is that they also destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which cause unpleasant odors reminiscent of tobacco smoke. In conclusion, while there are some drawbacks to using UV lights in HVAC systems, they can be an effective way to reduce mold growth and improve overall air quality.
However, it is important to consider all factors before deciding whether or not this is the right solution for your needs.