UV light treatment is increasing in popularity in home HVAC systems. The goal is to expose airborne pathogens to UV light, which can help improve your home’s indoor air quality. Homeowners are always looking for ways to make their places more breathable, but how effective is UV light in AC systems? More importantly, is it worth the investment?
How UV Light Filtration Works
The core idea is that pathogens that often appear in indoor air, such as bacteria, viruses, and spores, have biological systems that are prone to disruption by UV light. The DNA and RNA that power pathogen reproduction fall apart when bombarded by UV-C light. This is a specific type of ultraviolet light called UV-C, which is commonly used in controlled environments to neutralize pathogens.
The process is safe because UV lights are installed inside enclosed HVAC components, where they do not expose occupants. These systems are typically placed near evaporator coils or within return ducts so that they can treat air as it circulates through the system. Because the light is contained within the equipment, it can neutralize airborne pathogens without direct exposure to people.
Pathogens are especially vulnerable because UV-C light disrupts their cellular structure, which prevents them from reproducing and spreading. This process works continuously as your system runs, helping reduce microbial buildup over time rather than relying on one-time treatment methods.
Are UV Lights Effective in AC Units?
UV light works best on hard surfaces. For example, 99.9% of pathogens were found dead when exposed to UV-C light on evaporator coils or subsequently in drain pans.
In the air, the reduction in bacteria is closer to 30%. Bear in mind, this is the effectiveness of a single pass. Over 24 hours of operation, the air in your house will recycle several times. One lab study showed zero microbial growth on plates exposed to air from UV-treated HVACs, which compares to 150 distinct colonies of microbes on untreated plates.
This performance also includes treating mold and mildew. In some cases, excess dust may be accompanied by mold growth, especially in humid environments where moisture allows contaminants to thrive. The relative humidity in our part of New England can easily exceed 80%, creating an ideal environment for mold growth. If you’re having trouble dealing with mold in your home, UV light filtration should be on your list of possible HVAC solutions.
Part of a Comprehensive System
Notably, UV filtration augments indoor air quality systems rather than replacing other forms of filtration. To get the best possible indoor air quality, you will still want to look at a high-quality air filtration or purification unit.
Easy Retrofit
Retrofitting a UV light filter into a modern HVAC is almost always possible. Our HVAC technicians typically cut out a small section of the air return ductwork to accommodate the new filter. The air conditioner UV light then retrofits in line with the airflow. More than anything else, the big challenge is making sure to locate the part of the ductwork with the best airflow to maximize coverage.
Note that UV light filtration doesn’t affect airflow. The design is passive, so the air flows past the rays. The UV light treats the air, which then moves back into the system.
Potential Costs of UV Light Filtration
The investment in a UV light filter for indoor air quality is relatively small compared to the total cost of an HVAC. Most UV systems add about 3% to 10% to the total cost of an HVAC system when compared to the cost of a full new heating and cooling system. This percentage tends to be lower for larger systems because there is rarely a need for an expanded UV light filtration unit on a bigger HVAC.
Who May Benefit From Having UV Light Treatment in a Home?
Homeowners who are sensitive to indoor air quality, including those with allergies or respiratory concerns, may benefit from improved air treatment. You may want to consider a UV light setup if you or someone in your household suffers from:
- Asthma
- Chronic nasal inflammation
- Allergies
- Chronic wheezing or coughing
- Repeated upper respiratory infections
- Eczema
- Sinusitis
- Dry skin, eyes, nose, mouth, or throat
Bear in mind, you may have an undiagnosed medical problem arising from poor indoor air quality, too. If you’ve suffered from lots of colds, for example, then you may want to explore whether UV light treatment in the HVAC will help.
An indirect benefit is the germicidal quality of UV light. It reduces airborne pathogens, especially influenza and COVID. UV light doesn’t immediately treat the living space, but it does kill pathogens as they circulate through the cold air return. This reduces the room-to-room spread of disease. It also limits the ability of airborne pathogens to linger for hours.
Immunocompromised individuals should strongly consider adding UV light filtration. Especially if someone in your household is preparing to undergo chemotherapy, the time to address indoor air quality is now.
Maintenance and Long-Term Costs
The total bulb count affects the long-term cost the most. A single-bulb system, such as is common with a coil-treatment filter, may cost as little as $20 per year. A system with multiple bulbs will push the cost above $100. Replacement is a perfect DIY project, but our technicians would also be happy to handle the task as part of your HVAC’s annual tune-up or other air conditioning service.
Bulbs typically operate at close to 100% effectiveness for a bit over a year. Consequently, we encourage customers to stay on an annual replacement schedule to be on the safe side.
Improve Your Air Quality Now
Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. has been in business since 1995 and is a family- and veteran-owned operation. We also have deep roots in the community. You can relax knowing that our technicians are NATE-certified, so your home’s HVAC will get the detailed and professional attention it deserves.
Our company is prepared to service all makes and models of HVACs. We are also a Lennox Factory Authorized Dealer that carries the Lennox PureAir/Healthy Climate line of products for indoor air quality.
If you’re concerned about the possible cost of an installation, replacement, or upgrade project, we even have financing available upon credit approval. Check our specials page to learn about the current deals, too. Rebates are also frequently available for many HVAC improvements. We can help you learn about how much you may save with specific changes.
Improving the indoor air quality of your Nashua, NH home is easy with a UV light system, so talk with Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. today about which options are right for you.
