UV Lights: Boost Them Now and Then With a Change of Bulb

Ultraviolet lamps are a boon to your household when it comes to maintaining the best possible indoor air quality. But even the most effective UV light needs regular care. Like any other type of light, UV lights should be replaced every so often to maintain their effectiveness against mold, mildew and other airborne microorganisms.

Unlike the average light bulb, UV lights don’t “burn out” in the traditional sense. However, they do lose almost half of their germicidal effectiveness against bacteria and mold after a year of operation. After three years, it’s no longer able to produce enough UV-C light to maintain its germicidal properties and it simply turns into an energy waster. At this point, you’ll want to shut it off to prevent overheating and potential system failure.

The best time to replace your HVAC system’s ultraviolet lights depends on how they’re used:

• A UV light used solely for treating the air in a home or small office should be replaced every 12 months. Those suffering from acute allergies and other respiratory conditions should strongly adhere to this schedule for the best results.
• A UV light used for preventing mold and bacteria growth on HVAC components should be replaced every 24 months. This also happens to be the maximum effective lifespan for an average UV light. Since HVAC components are subjected to much longer exposure times, a year-old UV light doesn’t need as much intensity to prevent growth.

The UV light is just one of the many tools at your disposal for combating allergens and airborne microorganisms. A well-maintained UV light system goes a long way toward keeping your home’s air clean and healthy.

If you want to learn more about UV lights or if you need help with an installation, the professionals at Beyer Boys can help. Contact us for your home and small office HVAC needs throughout the San Antonio area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater San Antonio, Texas area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).