UV lights in ductwork do absolutely nothing to kill bacteria or mold. In a static setting (like next to a coil) they may have some utility. But not in ductwork where the bacteria are moving at several hundred fps (too fast for the UV radiation to have any effect).

thank you Mark Well, BT and sktn77a for your feedback..just like you BT I'm having a hard time getting information..Mark Well I like your information and sure hope ours performs like that..so far the only change I've noticed is a drawback..I feel a slight burning in my nasal passages..I can't determine if this is my imagination but I don't think so..it was a nice day and I was outside several hours..I noticed this feeling soon after I came in..because I'm so upset about the situation I don't know if I'm overthinking things..

There have been a studies that showed that germicidal 254nm UVC lights do work. Typical HVAC return 700 ftm that is 12 fps. Of course it all depends on pathogen, wavelength wattage and time of a contact. Yes it takes a bit of power 1.3mW/cm2 to kill 99% for example covid [mw = W * 10pow -6]. But most of the times we do not need to sterilize just reduce pathogens concentration where they do not cause us a great deal of harm. If someone is sick you want to run that thing 24x7.

BT..nobody's sick at the moment..we're not that sickly..we're nonsmokers with decent habits..I decided to put on a mask to see if it helps my nose feel better..I'm wearing it right now..I did read that hospitals have scrubbers..but for average people are they truly necessary?..I've been breathing 65 years without one..I don't know what to think..I've asked everyone I know..NOBODY has one or knows anyone that does..that's a red flag for me..any of my neighbors could have one if they wanted it..

Nobody is sick hear either. I install (a) it helps with basement smelling fresher. (B) if someone does get cold or covid, it will be killing pathogens. For under $100 it is not that big of an investment. And i can just unplug it. Our kids normally get influenza every winter from school and pass it to one of us.

You can see that nasty blue light [2 bulbs produce a lot of it], that appears to destroy anything organic.

Necessary? No.

So is my Nest Home max. Nice to be able to say turn porch lights on, or family room light, or all xmass lights at 5:30pm, open garage door, or close all blinds at 6pm....

For $1475 big no. We are in Fishers, technically i could show.

BT..before the install I asked if there were less expensive products..they said "this is the only one we sell"..I walked away..my husband was giving me the look..I don't have a basement or pets..we're nonsmokers..I thought our inside air was fine..I would've been fine with trying a reasonably priced product as you did..it could help without the high price tag..

so far the only change I've noticed is a drawback..I feel a slight burning in my nasal passages..

That's probably ozone if I had to guess. I would shut the thing off if I were you. Listen to what your body is telling you.

The human body is quite able to ward off itself from virus, disease and so on. Give it the nutrients it needs, proper rest, proper hydration etc.

Put the human body in an environment of anti bacterial treatments, those bugs eventually become immune to the chemicals and the body has a harder time fighting them too.

we're retired and stay up late..we went to bed at 1..I was up at 5:26..to me it feels funny here..we have a "satisfaction guaranteed" in our agreement..as has happened before (see above Lol) I want to back out..my husband is a good guy but I HATE the way he buys whatever anybody suggests..I just took a deep test breath through my nose..it's still irritating!..I have an unpleasant day ahead addressing this situation..wish me luck 🙁

The devices are almost all the same. Some have pressure sensors to detect running blower [fan], others wired to fan or blower or even permanently on.

The basics ARE ALL IDENTICAL. Low pressure bulb and the ballast.

1) It doesn't matter if you are buying $20 or $2000 UV light. Same thing: a bulb and a ballast.

2) Bulbs are different: UV-A (no), UV-B(no), (UV-C) 10%Ozone (DO NOT USE), UVC ~6% Ozone (DO NOT USE), UVC- NO OZONE (USE), UV-V (SMELL REMOVAL, makes air feel fresher).

>I just took a deep breath through my nose and it's still irritating..

You may have a wrong bulb, or a device that designed to produce Ozone to clean the coil. Some have metal mesh over UV bulb (outdated design). With UVC devices you do not want older unit, just few years back Ozone was considered GOOD, today - EPA pollutant.

Ozone is harmful

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners#harmful-ozone

I would ensure that my bulbs are newer and Ozone Free.

There are plenty of the cheap options

https://www.amazon.com/volts-Pureuv-Purifier-Germicidal-Magnet/dp/B0155NFB78/

https://www.amazon.com/OdorStop-OS721-Watt-Purifier-Bulbs/dp/B08BX1MSBT/

https://www.prolampsales.com/collections/uvc-in-duct-hvac-residential

BT..I just saw your comment..it was beautiful and I was outside until dark..I called the HVAC company at 10:26 (mobile phones haha)..I asked to speak to a manager..she said "they're in a meeting..could I help?"..I told her my name and that we had an air scrubber installed on Wed and I don't want it..she was kind (so was I) and said that she would have someone call me..tired of waiting 2.5 hours I called back at 1:04..I talked to another woman..she was nice and set up a service call Mon afternoon..I keep doing sniff tests and I swear I feel an irritating cooling menthol effect..thank you for your feedback..it's helping me prepare my concerns about this product..I made a note today before I made the call..we'll see what happens Monday..🙁

It sounds like ozone to me. Not good to breathe that.

I would look at the cord leading to the contraption, there should be some way to unplug it / disconnect it.

I'm still noticing the irritation..I can't wait until Monday..it'll be a struggle to be calm I'm so aggravated by this situation..I'm bothered by the fact that I couldn't find ONE person that has an air scrubber..not exactly a ringing endorsement..

I don't believe UV is at all effective in a residential HVAC system. Likely a waste of money and waste of energy.

For healthy air:

• OPEN WINDOWS whenever possible!
• Use filters w/ higher MERV ratings (ideally 11 or above if your system can handle it) and run the fan continuously when windows are all closed.
• If you frequently have windows closed then make sure to have a good ventilator (ERV or HRV) properly installed.
• Place an IQAir Node on your bedside table. Ideally keep CO2 below 550.

Do these things and you'll have fairly healthy indoor air quality (IAQ).

Good article on UV: https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/do-uv-lamps-really-improve-indoor-air-quality

the more I read and hear the more I dislike this product 🙁..more good talking points for Monday..

Is it this that you purchased: https://www.airscrubberbyaerus.com/#product-description

https://www.amazon.com/TrueFit-Scrubber-Catalytic-Oxidation-Replacement/dp/B07XB8LC7Z

These things PCO were very concerning because they can produce formaldehyde, Ozone and OH radicals if incomplete oxidation occurs. In addition Ti2O is also toxic. As with most thing in US no controls exerted over the companies that sell these. And they are happy to demonstrate how OH radicals can destroy bacteria and mold.

IMHO these should only run when you are not at home. If OH radicals get into your lungs and nose they will do just as much damage.

One more thing...

I hang out with some guys who are very intelligent and very successful. Some you'd recognize them or their companies. We all have one thing in common w/ your husband - we see a lot of technology and other stuff that we want to buy and some (many?) of those purchases ain't gonna rank very high on the intelligent purchase scale nor have a very high WAF.

All of our wives put up with a lot of stupid purchases and a lot of 'how do I turn the lights on this week?' stuff (along with a lot of other stuff). We're far from perfect and we're kind of a package deal (and hopefully the good outweighs the bad).

Sometimes our wives are even really good at finding the good (or some sliver of good) in our purchases and projects.

opaone..Lol!!!..you're right..we have a Ring (I like it)..a camera in the crawl space..timers on porch lights..microwave leak detector..multiple TVs, computers etc..I love that you're honest and are basically admitting that men are suckers Lol..

I didn't know this and looked it up..too funny!..this time I reached my limit..

Due to the pandemic the air purifier market is expected to reach $90 billion by 2025 largely a 42% increase... so where there is money that is being spent, so too is there plenty of worthless junk to consider. (A lot of it not so good for your health, while they claim the opposite.)

You have to put in some serious homework when contemplating things of this nature. I have one that I would recommend, but only in person. Costs are higher than what you paid, but includes a 3 year maintenance kit. The one I offer doesn't produce Ozone. There is much more to the one I sell than merely UV bulbs.

Usually it's only worth it if you have allergy sufferer's in the home.

If you don't perform the maintenance after a year or so it won't 'do' anything.

Hopefully this company takes the thing out, gives your money back.

Austin Air Companie..I think they'll give us a refund..I hate it that my husband didn't make an informed well researched decision..it's embarrassing..thanks for your comment..

You shouldn't be the least bit embarrassed. Guys sometimes do stuff like that. Part of the package.

opaone..why can't guys just be sensible??..Lol!!!..I'm trying to keep calm..hysteria doesn't help..I need to have a serious talk with him before they come..won't that be fun? 🙁..he's in a good mood because since I made the appointment we haven't talked about it..

opaone..he COULD be worse..this isn't the same as gadgets but my cousin's husband collects sports memorabilia and she doesn't love it..I wouldn't either..time to start "the conversation" before our appt..I let him enjoy breakfast first..

Hah! :-)

the technician today was not the one that installed it..he was pleasant and listened to my concerns..when he started examining the unit which is in the garage I went into the house..he and my husband called the company owner..my husband told him about my nose and eye irritation (husband is fine)..the owner said he's heard that from another customer but they adjusted and still have their scrubber..he said he's never taken one back but he will if we want him too after giving it more time..so we're in a trial period..at least since I called so soon they should believe that my concerns were real..

the scrubber's gone!..this morning my husband said "I called and they're coming to remove the scrubber this afternoon"..this was a surprising decision..I don't want it but I was resigned to keeping it..I hope we don't have any more of these large unresearched purchases..I can handle a few small gadgets..we have 6 deliveries coming from Amazon..the first delivery is here..we now have a fancier thermometer than our other 2..you know for the one time a year we need it..Lol..

thank you again everyone for your comments 🙂

Hopefully a few valuable lessons were learned.

The moral of this story with a touch of irony / humor. (The world we live in...)

Per EPA:

"In-duct Pollutant Destruction

There is no standard measurement for the effectiveness of UVGI cleaners. Typical UVGI cleaners used in homes have limited effectiveness in killing bacteria and molds. Effective destruction of some viruses and most mold and bacterial spores usually requires much higher UV exposure than is provided in a typical home unit. Furthermore, dead mold spores can still produce allergic reactions, so UVGI cleaners may not be effective in reducing allergy and asthma symptoms."

Indoor air quality is extremely important. U.S. homes generally have the worst IAQ of all developed countries and that is one of the reasons we have the poorest health and lowest life expectancy of all developed countries...

We tend to think that the solution is technology (and that's what the U.S. HVAC industry pushes extremely hard - keep your windows closed and let us manage everything) but the best solution is the simplest - open a bunch of windows! The second best solution is the second simplest - open a bunch of windows and turn on a whole house fan.

Next best is mechanical ventilation (ERV/HRV). And here again the best solution for filtration is the simplest - a simple filter (Ideally MERV 13 or higher).

For a long time the U.S. HVAC industry pushed electrostatic filtering (yep, a bit more profit in selling these than a simple box for a filter). UV at least has some benefit in some situations but in residential applications its primary benefit is profit for the HVAC folks.

I love technology and love finding technological solutions to things (and our HVAC system is highly controlled by our HA system based on outdoor air quality, IAQ, how many windows are open, interior CO2 levels, etc.) but I'm happiest (like literally because I'm breathing healthier air) when our HVAC system is turned off and windows are open! So long as outdoor air is relatively good (98% of the time for us) there is no HVAC system, no technology, that can provide better air quality.

Austin Air Companie..I did learn a lot..from now on I need to decide "does this purchase matter to me or not?"..if it does be involved from the beginning and make a decision TOGETHER..
your pics and captions do sum up how I feel about it!..

Stax..and once again..your comment convinces me that the claims made about our air scrubber are exaggerated..a nice way to say it's a lie..

opaone..I love your reasoning..I want comfort and convenience as much as anyone but I like simple solutions the most..I always feel like the products with all of the bells and whistles are the ones that have problems and eventually break..

@Diana Bennet, I can find nothing in that link nor downstream (https://www.airscrubberbyaerus.com and https://www.activepure.com) that provides any information past marketing goop. Zero. Zilch. Nada. If this was a product that actually worked they would have links to research papers and independent lab tests. I saw none. As best I can tell this is complete hogwash.

For everyone reading this... I am not aware of any system other than higher MERV filtration that provides any benefit to anyone other than the bottom line of the HVAC company (install $200 device in duct in 1 hr ($65/hr) and charge customer $1420 = nice money).

Be Careful What Scams You Fall For.

Diana Bennet and opaone..our scrubber was removed and I haven't thought about it since until today's comments..I still don't know anyone that has a scrubber..to me that says a scrubber is something you can live without..we are diligent about changing filters and HVAC maintenance..

The gadget market is a billion dollar market for many products that are just total garbage.

Many get into HVAC for the ability to sell "garbage". In terms of air quality there is much more than a bulb or two (that may produce Ozone) to reach any real level of air quality that is good.

Often times cheaper products that include a bulb or two are priced up closer to better products that actually do something (multiple levels of filtration). However *ANY* product that cleans air thru better filtration require continual maintenance. (That costs regular and continual payments.)

If you fail to perform this maintenance, the product will not work. The (good) product itself has a life span and will need to be eventually replaced as well. Too many times people think they just install a product and that's all they need to do.

Salesmanship is just about "selling you". Has little to nothing to do with what the product does 9 times out of 10.

Note: Ozone in *ANY* amount inside your home is not good for you to breathe. It can damage the lining of your lungs. If you feel *ANY* irritation with sinuses with the use of one of these products, you should shut it off and have it removed.

Austin Air Companie..unfortunately the world is loaded with people out to get your money!..if the product is simple and familiar you have a chance not to get ripped off..but something more intimidating and you're vulnerable to a scam..researching can save you from a mistake..we didn't make an informed decision..lesson learned..

"Ozone in *ANY* amount inside your home is not good"

I like the smell of Ozone and if 2 bonded oxygen atoms (O2) are essential for life wouldn't 3 bonded oxygen atoms (O3) be even better? I'm kidding but as a kid I used to take carbon rods and using a low amp high voltage source make miniature arcs which produced a unique smell I'd say had a sweet clean freshness. Flash forward into the mid 80's when I had a TV repair business in a small town in Texas, many CRT TV's with problems would have a very low volume high pitched sizzling noise accompanied with the same childhood smell as the arcing carbon.

I found out much later in life (yesterday) both were creating Ozone, so a good percentage of households in america had an Ozone generator in there homes because many TV's with high voltage leaks were producing Ozone but still operated fine. I could also detect the same smell when TIG welding and also walking under high voltage power lines during temperature surface air inversions. I always wondered what the smell was, now I know and it's not good, darn.

kevin..I don't like to think about the hazards of my childhood Lol..one example..I hated the secondhand smoke in the 60's..

You bet, nothing beats stuck in the back seat of an old Nash in the dead of winter with three chain smoking adults in the front seat. I remember city trucks fogging the streets with DDT with all the kids including myself running behind the truck, such fun. The 60's weren't the wonder years, today is because I'm wondering why I'm still alive now.

The 60's weren't the wonder years, today is because I'm wondering why I'm still alive now.

Hey Kevin might want to check those daily obituaries make sure they don't count you as a pandemic death. These days it's not just being alive, it's also being counted as "alive".

You can't be too safe, can you?

"as a kid I used to take carbon rods and using a low amp high voltage source make miniature arcs which produced a unique smell I'd say had a sweet clean freshness."

A friend use to work for a company that made devices for measuring very high voltage - two silver orbs that you'd crank apart and where the arc broke was the voltage. Fun to watch.

We use to love to stick our heads out the window to smell buses. I probably shouldn't be alive today. :-)

my Dad will be 91 in October..lives in his own home which is next door to my sister..my other sister lives next door to her..they built 3 homes in a row in 2005..my mother died November 2020 (not Covid)..she was 87..despite the dangers they lived long lives!..they stopped smoking over 50 years ago..they outlived their friends and relatives that smoked..

kevin..did you ever say "I can't breathe!"..I did..I was a bold kid (and adult Lol)..it didn't make a difference..

after my parents stopped smoking they hated secondhand smoke as much as anyone..my Mom's actually said (multiple times) "I'm sorry that I did that to you kids"..

You were bold, I never questioned my dad's actions or habits. My mom is 91 and still very active (at times to active for 91). My Dad died at 74 from a blood cancer, some kind of leukemia caused by long term exposure to Benzene.. During his illness they also found he also had Asbestosis of the lungs from Asbestos and both were common in his profession. I kind of followed in my dad's profession, with a good deal of exposure to the same bad stuff so I don't expect a long life but it doesn't bother me.

I did enjoy reading your story line on the air scrubber and happy you were victorious ridding your house of the thing.

we went to see out of state relatives (fun!) often and were in the car for hours..I really did think I was suffocating at that age Lol..my parents were sympathetic and would roll down the car windows for a minute..

sorry to hear that your Dad had health issues caused by his employment..that's unfair..

life is uncertain..we don't know what's ahead for us..live fully every day..that's all we can do..

your mother and my father are in the minority to have their faculties and mobility at such an advanced age..

thanks for your comment :-) ..this post sort of shows my bold personality doesn't it? haha..

Try FilterKote, an easy inexpensive way to improve your current filter's efficiency and reduce odors. FilterKote.Com

FilterKote..we'll take a look..

Filterkote appears to be as snakeoily as anything.

People should be vigilant about stuff like this and take it upon themselves to do a little research before buying something. OTOH, the concept of taking advantage of someone's ignorance to sell them something that provides no benefit is beyond me. I just can't get my head around how someone can lie and steal.

opaone..we didn't look into it..our current filters are good quality..

I think the same way..I'd be an unsuccessful con man..I don't lie well and don't want to..my heart's not in it and everyone can tell..

Yep, that wasn't directed at you. I assume that about you :-)

opaone..no problem..didn't think that.. :-)