Top 5 Benefits of UV Lights in Your Ducts

The recent pandemic highlighted the many pathogen-killing benefits of UV lights. Not only can these lights kill bacteria and other irritants that can make you sick, but they can also destroy fungus, improve airflow, and eliminate odors in your HVAC ducts. Learn more about the two types of UV lights that are used in HVAC systems and just five of the many benefits they can provide.

What UV Lights are Used in HVAC Systems?

When it comes to UV lights for your HVAC unit, you have two options.

• Coil sterilization takes advantage of a narrow light that is placed inside the duct to sterilize the coil inside. This light remains running constantly and tends to be the most popular option when it comes to HVAC UV lights.
• Air sterilization is a separate UV unit that works to sterilize the air as it moves through the unit. These air sterilization lights are placed in the return duct.

The right option for your situation will depend on your budget, your duct setup, and your air purification needs.

Five Benefits of UV Lights in Your HVAC System

Preventing disease. Because your HVAC unit essentially recycles the air that is already inside your house, when someone in the house is sick, these germs and viruses can quickly spread throughout every corner of the house. Having UV lights in your HVAC system can sterilize air as it passes through the ducts, ensuring that the sick person can truly quarantine without putting others in the house at risk. UV lighting can also get rid of bacterial growth on ductwork, cooling coils, drain pipes, and other components, ensuring that no science experiments are growing in your ducts.

Reducing mold and mildew. Fungi tend to thrive in dark, warm, moist environments like the inside of an HVAC duct. And unfortunately, fungus spores that circulate through your home can cause rhinitis and other upper respiratory infections and exacerbate allergies and asthma. A UV light will help stop any fungal growth before it starts.

Improving air quality. UV lights can kill more than just bacteria; they can also neutralize the other contaminants (ranging from dust mites to tiny shards of fiberglass insulation) that may be passing through your HVAC system. If you tend to suffer from stuffy sinuses or a mild cough every morning when you wake up, you could find that the installation of a UV light causes these symptoms to abate.

Improving air flow. UV lights aren’t just good for the quality of your home’s air—they can also help keep your HVAC system in better shape. By eliminating any excess moisture in your HVAC system, these lights can help you reduce your energy expenses.

Eliminating odors. If your house tends to always have a musty, dirty-sock type of smell, no matter how much time you spend cleaning, it’s likely your air ducts are to blame. By drying up moist areas and killing bacteria and fungi inside your HVAC system, UV lights are natural air fresheners.

If you’ve wondered whether your home’s HVAC system could use some refreshing, a UV light can be the answer.