Benefits of UV Light for Your HVAC System

If you suffer from respiratory issues, struggle with seasonal allergies, or simply want to live in a home that’s as clean and healthy as possible, it may be time to consider installing UV lights in your HVAC system. To help you determine if this is the right step for you, we’re sharing how UV lights in duct work and HVAC units work to improve air quality and the benefits you can experience.

How UV Lights for HVAC Systems Work

While most people think of UV rays that can cause sunburns and even skin cancer, UV light can actually be a powerful tool used in sterilization and sanitization. In the 1990s, hospitals and healthcare facilities began using UV lights to rapidly and effectively sterilize equipment and sanitize air. Manufacturing companies began adopting the practice, and today, it can be used to sterilize products in food and drug industries.

Because UV light can be used to kill mold, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, they are being installed in HVAC systems to improve the air quality in homes and businesses. The two main methods of doing so are by coil installation and duct work installation.

Coil UV Lights

Coil UV lights are installed within the air handling unit inside the home, specifically placed over the evaporator coil. Because this is what absorbs the heat from the home, condensation often forms on the coil, making it a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. The spores and microorganisms then enter the duct system and blow through the home, triggering respiratory problems, headaches, and other symptoms. By installing a UV light over the coil, the condensation forms, but the bacteria and mold don’t. This method is both effective at improving air quality and also cost-effective.

Duct UV Lights

Ductwork UV lights, or air sterilization lights, are installed within the HVAC system’s return vent. As airborne allergens, including bacteria, mold, viruses, pet odors, dander, and other contaminants are pulled into the return vent, they are exposed to UV light and eliminated. This light is wired to the HVAC system and turns on and off with the blower motor. While this method is more expensive than the coil light method, it’s much more effective at whole home air quality improvement.

Four Benefits of Using UV Lights in Your HVAC System

Now that you understand how UV lights for your HVAC system work, let’s consider the four benefits you’ll experience by having them installed in your home or business.

Improve Air Quality and Reduced Illness

The number one reason is to improve your home’s air quality. If you or another household member suffer from allergies, asthma, contaminants, pollutants, and mold spores in your air may be to blame. With the UV light eliminating these issues, you and your family can breathe easily.

In addition to the day-to-day contaminants in the air, UV light also kills bacteria and viruses, so colds, the flu, and other illnesses that are airborne can be significantly reduced as they won’t be circulating through your home. An added bonus is that odor-causing bacteria is also eliminated from your home’s air, creating a cleaner, fresher home.

Fewer Odors

Instead of trying to cover up odors caused by pets, cooking, and old carpet and furniture, having a UV light for HVAC systems can actually eliminate these odors. By killing bacteria, airborne odors are effectively eliminated, making your home smell clean and fresh.

Improve Airflow

Dust is made up of bacteria, pollen, and fine particulate, and over time, it builds up around the vents, air filters, and in the ducts themselves, choking off airflow and making your HVAC system work harder. By keeping mold and microbial build up off your air filters and coil, and eliminating the source of dust and contaminants, your HVAC system will have improved airflow. This improves efficiency and increases its lifespan while making your home more comfortable.

Increase Energy Efficiency

When your HVAC system is clean and has optimized airflow, like we mentioned above, it doesn’t have to work as hard. This, coupled with less dust getting caught in the air filter and no mold or biofilm coating the coils, and the system can work at its most efficient level, reducing your energy bills and making it more affordable to keep your home at the proper comfort level for your family.

Call Us to Improve Your Air Quality Today

If you’d like to learn more about improving your home’s air quality, from whole home filtration to UV lights in your HVAC system, reach out to us today. We provide comprehensive air quality control in Raleigh, Garner, and the surrounding areas. Call us at  919-772-2759 or fill out the form below to get started.