Ultraviolet (UV) light is known to be harmful to the skin and eyes, so it is essential to install UV HVAC lights correctly to ensure safety during installation and daily life. Never look directly into a UV lamp; even a brief exposure to UV light can cause permanent eye damage. UV air purifiers are only effective if microorganisms pass through the UV-C light inside the air conditioning system. This is why UV lights in your air conditioning system will most likely not help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to an Engineered Air technician, UV HVAC lights are very effective in controlling mold inside the air treatment device.
For instance, it is recommended to replace a Carrier UV coil lamp every 9000 hours of operation or annually. Since UV lights only serve to keep the drain tray and coils free of mold and bacteria, let's compare the cost of each one to determine which offers the best value for money, as both achieve the same result. This means that if the air conditioning system has damaged or leaking ducts, the holes or gaps in the ducts can create a vacuum that attracts new contaminants (such as dust and debris) from attics and mezzanines that do not pass through UV light and, therefore, are not sterilized. UV lights are so powerful that many hospitals, restaurants, stores, and other businesses use them to sterilize equipment. It is recommended to install a spiral UV lamp, as the coil is the main place for fungi and bacteria growth.
If you and your family members do not have respiratory problems or allergies, and if you do not have higher-than-normal rates of colds and other viruses, you probably do not need germicidal UV lights in your air conditioning system. Surprisingly, UV bulbs are not even installed in ducts most of the time. Most Atlanta homeowners combine germicidal UV lights with an air filter that has a high MERV (minimum declared efficiency values) rating. You can add super powerful UV light to your air conditioning system, but this is likely an exaggeration and will cost thousands of dollars. In conclusion, the UV lights that your HVAC company is trying to sell you are probably a waste of money, and it would be much better if you manually repair your system once a year. However, it does not make sense to install a UV HVAC lamp unless you have followed indoor air quality priorities.
Researchers know that the virus spreads in water particles suspended in the air, so only UV lights installed in the ducts that treat the air that circulates through them could be useful.