Is UV-C a Good Choice for Residential Systems?
Over the past several decades, ultraviolet light, or UV-C, has emerged as a highly effective method of eliminating microbial growth in HVAC systems. It was primarily used in commercial air handlers for many years, but the pandemic raised awareness of its efficacy as a germicide and its popularity is steadily rising in residential and light commercial sectors.
The benefits of UV-C, also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) are undisputed. Installing UV-C in an HVAC system can significantly lower energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and increase ease of maintenance.
Why use UV-C in an HVAC system?
The damp, humid conditions present in an HVAC system encourage the accumulation of organic materials and biofilm growth on coils, air filters, duct surfaces, and drain pans. Left untreated, these materials can choke airflow, decrease system efficiency, and release contaminants and odors into the air. UV-C light targets the DNA of these microbes, killing them or rendering them unable to reproduce.
ASHRAE has found that UV-C light kills or inactivates 90% or more of microorganisms living on HVAC system surfaces. No microorganism has been found to be completely immune to UV-C thus far. Installation of a UV-C purification system has been shown to restore HVAC system capacity by as much as 35-40% and drastically reduce energy consumption.
Types of UV-C systems for HVAC
There are two main types of UV-C systems in HVAC, coil sterilization and in-duct sterilization. A coil treatment system, which is mounted inside the air handler near the evaporator coil, is, by far, the most effective due to the coil’s continual treatment with UV-C light. In-duct UV-C systems expose microbes only fleetingly as they pass by in the airstream, so their efficacy in killing mold, bacteria, and viruses is much lower. In-duct UV-C is often used in tandem with coil systems to boost air cleaning efficiency.
Is UV-C a good choice for residential HVAC systems?
Yes, provided the product is proven to be of good quality and installed properly by a qualified HVAC professional that can determine the appropriate number of lights and their optimal positioning. It is also important that proper filtration is utilized in a well-maintained system to trap particles before they can accumulate on the coil and shield microbes from ultraviolet light exposure.
For more information on residential and light commercial UV-C systems, please contact E.P. Homiek Sheet Metal & HVAC Supply at (732) 364-7644 or (908) 688-9104.
About E.P. Homiek
E.P. Homiek Sheet Metal & HVAC Supply, with two convenient locations in Lakewood, NJ and Union, NJ, provides one- to two-day turnaround on all residential and light commercial ductwork, as well as one- to two-hour emergency fabrication service, rapid delivery, and competitive prices. HVAC parts, supplies, and equipment lines include Goodman, Resideo/Honeywell, Bryant, Bradford White, Crown Boiler, Daikin, Weil-McLain, Sea Breeze, Generac, Fantech, ZM, A.O. Smith, Hart & Cooley, Malco, Mueller, York Commercial, and many more.
