UV Germicidal Lights
UV Germicidal Lights | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Hillsboro
Breathe easier in Hillsboro with HEP’s cutting-edge UV germicidal lights, seamlessly integrated into your heating and air conditioning system. These powerful lights target mold, bacteria, and viruses that standard filters often miss, scrubbing the air you and your family inhale every day. By neutralizing contaminants at the source—inside the ductwork—our UV solutions help keep your equipment running efficiently, lower energy costs, and reduce unpleasant odors, all while protecting the health of your home or business.
Pairing ultraviolet purification with precision airflow design, HEP’s technicians create a complete strategy for ventilation and air quality that’s tailored to Hillsboro’s unique climate. From initial assessment to ongoing maintenance, we make it simple to upgrade to fresher, cleaner indoor air. Discover how effortlessly you can turn every breath into a refreshing reminder that HEP has your comfort—and your wellness—covered.
FAQs
What are UV germicidal lights and how do they work in an HVAC system?
UV germicidal lights use short-wave ultraviolet (UV-C) energy to neutralize microorganisms such as mold spores, bacteria, and viruses. When installed inside your heating and air-conditioning equipment or ductwork, the lamps bathe the passing air—and the moist interior surfaces of the coil and drain pan—in UV-C light. The radiation penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms, disrupting their DNA so they can no longer reproduce or cause illness. The result is cleaner indoor air and a cleaner HVAC system that can operate more efficiently.
Are UV lights really effective against germs in Hillsboro’s mild, humid climate?
Yes. Hillsboro’s coastal-influenced humidity and relatively mild temperatures create ideal breeding grounds for mold and bacteria inside HVAC coils and drain pans. Independent laboratory tests and real-world field studies have shown that properly sized and installed UV-C lamps can reduce up to 99% of common airborne pathogens. Because the lamps run continuously, they provide 24/7 treatment—particularly valuable in spring and fall when systems cycle on and off and moisture lingers on the coils.
Where are the UV lamps installed, and will I be able to see them?
Most residential installations place one or two UV lamps just downstream of the evaporator coil inside the air handler or furnace plenum. This placement keeps the coil, drain pan, and nearby duct surfaces free of bio-growth and exposes all circulating air to the UV-C field. The lamps are enclosed, so you will not see the light from your living space; access panels include safety interlocks or warning labels to prevent accidental exposure during maintenance.
Will adding UV germicidal lights increase my energy bill?
A typical residential UV-C lamp set consumes about the same amount of electricity as a 40-watt light bulb. Any minor power cost is usually offset by energy savings from a cleaner coil: laboratory studies show that even a thin 0.05-inch layer of biofilm on the coil can reduce HVAC efficiency by up to 15%. By keeping the coil surface free of organic build-up, UV lights help your system maintain its designed heat-transfer performance, potentially lowering both energy use and operating costs.
How often do UV lamps need to be replaced or serviced?
Most high-quality UV-C lamps have an effective service life of 9,000 hours, or about one year of continuous use. We recommend annual replacement during your regular spring or fall HVAC tune-up. Replacing the lamp ensures you maintain full germicidal output; a lamp that still glows can lose up to 40% of its UV-C intensity after 12 months. Besides lamp replacement, there is virtually no maintenance—just occasionally wiping the quartz sleeve with alcohol if dust accumulates.
Do UV germicidal lights produce ozone or pose any safety risks?
Modern HVAC UV-C lamps are engineered to emit wavelengths around 254 nanometers, which do NOT generate ozone. When installed correctly inside the sealed air handler, the light never reaches occupants, so there is no exposure risk. Our Hillsboro technicians follow strict safety protocols, including automatic power shut-offs when the access panel is opened, ensuring that maintenance personnel are protected as well.