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Heating & Air Conditioning
browntiger2

HVAC UVV / UVC lights - Worth it?

5 years ago

About to install 72W furnace UV purifier with two 16" UVC light bulbs OZONE free switched by the blower. May replace the bottom one with UVV.... Just wondering if this worth $100?

Featured Answer
  • 5 years ago

    Do UV Lights Kill Mold, Bacteria and Viruses?

    https://www.minisplitunit.org/



    Ultraviolet lights were shown to kill mold, viruses and bacteria more than 100 years ago. In fact, in 1903, Niels Finsen was given the Noble Prize in Medicine for using UV to effectively treat patients with skin infections.


    Today, UV lights are used for germicidal use in hospitals, restaurants and grocery stores. And they have been shown effective in killing sterilizing an HVAC system. Here are two examples:


    1). In 2012, a study at Duke University Medical Center showed that UV lights killed 97% of bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics, the so-called superbug bacteria that are the toughest to kill.


    2). The Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology reported in 2001 that germicidal UV radiation significantly reduces airborne fungi in air handling units.


    Are UV Lights for HVAC Worth the Cost?


    After the cost of the light or lights you choose, you can expect to spend $45 to $70 per year to pay for the energy they use and for replacement lamps. Is it worth it?


    Your health provides the answer. If you and household members do not have breathing issues or allergies and if you’re not experiencing higher-than-normal rates of colds and other viruses, then you probably don’t need germicidal UV lights in your HVAC system.


    However, some might be reading this post because those problems are a reality in your home. For you, HVAC UV lights can be part of the solution. We recommend these steps:


    1). Have your furnace or air handler and coil thoroughly cleaned (though we don’t recommend duct cleaning)


    2). Seal ducts to prevent infiltration of contaminants


    3). Ask your technician if a high-MERV filter is right for your furnace or air handler, and install one if so


    4). Have a UV coil light installed, since the coil is the primary location for the growth of fungi and bacteria


    5). If your issues are severe, have a UV air sanitizing light installed in the duct


    6). Remember to clean or replace your filter as recommended



    Comments (9)

    • 5 years ago

      Just wondering what is worth $100 - the whole thing or just the premium for the UVV bulb? Not a fan of UV lights in an AC system in general.

    • 5 years ago

      Whole thing. Two light bulbs, the ballast and the cord. Bulb is only $20. Worked one summer as HVAC tech. Wiring is pretty trivial.

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    • PRO
      5 years ago

      The bulbs have to be replaced annually. If you're not going to maintain them (paying for those new bulbs year in and year out) then keep the $100 in your wallet. If you don't change them annually they aren't doing nothing as they lose effectiveness over the course of a year.


      I'm not a fan of UV lights either, but if someone wants to part with their money I will install them and / or replace the bulbs annually.



      BT thanked Austin Air Companie
    • 5 years ago

      Thank you @Austin Air Companie. The blower runtime ... may be 1/3rd. This is a cheap upgrade but I am not convinced it does anything.


      A complete luck of Youtube glorious reviews is concerning, except from egits who installed china 9W bulb or a pair of 9W [18W] (some cut a ductboard for it) LOL.


      Thinking about exposing aircleaner terminal, and replacing furnace 1 gang switch box with 2, furnace and switched outlet.

    • 5 years ago
      last modified: 5 years ago

      There's no question that ultraviolet radiation "kills" bacteria and viruses in a static environment. Whether it can significantly "disinfect" air that is passing through it at several hundred feet per second is much less clear. A UV light will irradiate the surface of you coil and should minimize mold growth. But that's about it in an HVAC system.

    • 5 years ago

      Inline UVC systems require a large exposure to be effective. Unless you're in a tiny house I don't think two inexpensive tubes will do anything. IIRC the one we looked at for our house included 8 60" tubes. There are commercial systems that can accomplish the same thing with fewer tubes but the overall cost increased dramatically.

      Some good info: https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/do-uv-lamps-really-improve-indoor-air-quality

      Also keep in mind that they may kill beneficial bacteria as well as bad stuff. Our immune system needs exercise just as our muscles and brain. Being in too clean an environment or wearing masks too much can weaken our immune systems.

    • 5 years ago

      So we had this system install for a while now... I was thinking about posting Youtube video, because most UVC lights videos on Youtube appeared to be a total garbage advertising some very overpriced solution, show little details.


      - These lights are pretty intense, will burn your retinas in second(s)

      - IF you run UVC lights 24x7 the bulbs will be toasted ~1 year. Companies OdorStop use airflow sensor to extend life to 2 years.

      - Over UVC lights are set to run only when a blower runs, but not using flow sensor.

      - One of the surprises was 76W UVC - was expected to draw 0.6A - 0.7A ... And instead it draw 1.1A - 1.2A with peaks 1.8A.

      - Furnace EAC terminal is limited to 1A. After a week we had issue with UVC lights shutting OFF the furnace. Our furnace blower is quite powerful 5T, so we had to run another circuit for UVC lights and decoupled the power. ~$15.

      - Total 0% ozone UVC bulbs, NO OZONE was listed on every label of these Bulbs, etc - produced .. wait .. OZONE on digital meter. The vendor gave us free replacement.


      Overall:

      - We have the lightbulbs in our furnace plenums. LOL

      - Air definitely feels fresher

      - Monthly draw was ~4.6kW = 43cents

      Wife likes it.

    • PRO
      5 years ago

      UVC can indeed be sterilized, but improper use can also harm the human body. It is best to use it under the guidance of professionals

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