The Pros and Cons of UV Light Air Duct Cleaning

Your HVAC system circulates air throughout your home, so it is vital to keep it clean. Many homes suffer from a wide variety of contaminants in their systems, such as mold, dust and allergens. These contaminants can lead to respiratory illnesses, ear infections and other health issues, which is why it is important to have your HVAC system cleaned and properly maintained.

There are many different types of UV sanitizing lights that can be used to improve your indoor air quality. One type is called a coil sanitizing light, which sits near your evaporator coil. Another type is an air sanitizing light, which sits in your return vents.

These lights are designed to kill germs, bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms in your HVAC ducts. They work by emitting UV rays into your ductwork that will destroy these microscopic organisms.

The UV rays kill the DNA of germs, which causes them to either die or stop reproducing. They are also able to kill mold and mildew that has built up inside your ducts.

However, the UV rays are only effective in killing germs that have come into direct contact with them. For example, if a mold spore is present on the coil, the UV rays will not be effective in killing it since it will be too far away from the light to receive enough of the rays to kill it.

A UV sanitizing light is installed into your air handler, which usually requires carving a hole into it. It is then screwed in and plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet. You will have to be sure to cut the hole perfectly so that you do not damage your air handler or cause any problems with your HVAC system.

Installation is relatively easy, but it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. It is a good idea to have an experienced professional do the installation for you.

The average price for a UV light for your air ducts ranges between $300 and $600, with replacement bulbs typically costing between $120-$250. This can add up quickly and be expensive, especially if you have to replace the light frequently.

Not every home needs a UV light for their HVAC system, as some people don't have any respiratory issues or allergies and can live without them. If you have a respiratory illness, an air duct UV sanitizing system can be a great addition to your heating and cooling system and improve your overall indoor air quality.

In many cases, UV sanitizing lights are installed in conjunction with an air filtration system to further reduce the amount of pollutants entering your home's air supply. These filters can prevent dust, allergens and other large particles from getting into your ductwork.

While UV sanitizing lights are effective against harmful germs, they do not remove dust or most other allergy-causing substances from the air. This is why it is always important to have your ducts and other parts of your home properly cleaned by a skilled air conditioning technician.