UV Germicidal Lights
UV Germicidal Lights | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning
Breathe easier with HEP’s UV germicidal lights working silently inside your HVAC system. Powerful ultraviolet rays target mold, bacteria, and viruses as air circulates, preventing them from spreading through your home or business. By integrating this cutting-edge technology with your existing heating and cooling equipment, HEP turns every cycle of conditioned air into an opportunity for purification—helping safeguard health while protecting coils and ductwork from bio-growth that robs your system of efficiency.
Whether you’re battling allergies, concerned about seasonal illnesses, or simply want that crisp, just-outside freshness indoors, our experts design solutions that elevate both comfort and confidence. Explore how UV disinfection, balanced airflow, and meticulous system maintenance combine to improve ventilation and air quality, lower energy costs, and extend equipment life. Ready to upgrade? Schedule a free assessment today and discover how clean the air can feel when it’s treated by HEP.
FAQs
What are UV germicidal lights and how do they work in my HVAC system?
UV germicidal lights are specially designed lamps that emit ultraviolet-C (UVC) energy, a wavelength (around 254 nm) capable of deactivating the DNA/RNA of microorganisms. When installed inside your heating and air-conditioning equipment—typically near the evaporator coil or inside the supply/return air plenum—the lamps bathe passing air and moist HVAC surfaces with UVC radiation. This exposure disrupts the reproductive cycle of mold, viruses, and bacteria, preventing them from multiplying and circulating through your ductwork and living spaces.
What contaminants can UV lights eliminate and what benefits can I expect?
UVC irradiation is proven to inactivate up to 99 percent of airborne and surface-borne microbes such as mold spores, influenza and cold viruses, coronaviruses, bacteria like Legionella, and even certain allergens. Benefits include: • Better indoor air quality and fewer unpleasant odors • Reduced biofilm on the evaporator coil, which restores heat-transfer efficiency and lowers energy use • Less microbial growth in ducts, helping allergy and asthma sufferers • Potential extension of HVAC equipment life due to cleaner coils and drain pans.
Will UV lamps harm my HVAC components or produce ozone?
High-quality HVAC UVC lamps are engineered not to damage plastics, wiring, or metal when properly installed at the correct distance. They also use a specific glass envelope that blocks short-wave UV below 200 nm, the range that creates ozone. Therefore, residential/commercial UV germicidal lights marketed for HVAC use are labeled “non-ozone producing” and are safe for equipment and occupants when installed by a qualified technician.
How are UV germicidal lights installed and will they increase my energy costs?
A certified HVAC technician mounts the lamp assembly inside the air-handler cabinet or ductwork, runs low-voltage power from the control board or a dedicated transformer, and positions safety interlocks or viewports as required. The lamps draw very little electricity—about the same as a 40–60 W light bulb—so the annual operating cost is typically $10–$20, far less than the energy savings gained from a cleaner, more efficient coil.
How often do UV bulbs need to be replaced and what maintenance is required?
UVC output declines gradually even if the lamp still glows. Manufacturers recommend replacement every 9,000–10,000 operating hours—roughly once a year if the lamp runs 24/7. During annual HVAC maintenance, the technician will: • Check lamp operation with a UV meter or indicator • Wipe dust from the quartz sleeve to maintain intensity • Inspect the power supply and wiring • Replace the bulb and recycle the old one (it contains a small amount of mercury, similar to fluorescent lamps).
Are UV germicidal lights safe for my family and pets, and do they comply with regulations?
When enclosed inside the HVAC system, UVC light does not escape into living areas, so there is no risk of skin or eye exposure for occupants or pets. Reputable products meet UL 867/2998 or equivalent safety standards and are permitted by the U.S. EPA and FDA for air-handling applications. Professional installation ensures proper shielding, interlocks, and labeling, providing a safe, code-compliant solution for healthier indoor air.