Most lamp manufacturers, such as Phillips, GE, and Sylvania, produce UV bulbs that need to be replaced at some point. The lifespan of a UV bulb will depend on the type of system and the manufacturer's recommendations. Generally, a UV bulb will last between 1 and 5 years. A “blue tube” system bulb usually lasts 1 to 2 years, while an APCO or APCO X bulb can last longer than 3 to 5 years.
You may need to replace the UV bulb sooner if it doesn't work properly or if you notice a decrease in indoor air quality. Replacement bulbs are an ongoing cost that you'll need to consider. The UV lamp can have one or two lamps, and each bulb must be changed every 6 to 12 months. Just by looking at the area of the ducts where the UV light is located, you should be able to tell if the bulb is still working.
UV lights should be used seasonally for 6 months and then drained and unplugged before being used again for another 6 months. To work its magic, UV light has to be properly installed in your air conditioning system (and UV lights can damage your eyes if you're not careful). For more information on UV lights and other clean air solutions for your home, contact Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning. UV lights are so effective that many hospitals, restaurants, stores, and other businesses use them to sterilize equipment.
In fact, the Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Niels Ryberg Finsen in 1903 for his work on the use of ultraviolet light radiation for curing skin infections. By preventing mold and bacteria from accumulating on wet HVAC components, UV lights can also prevent airborne biological contaminants from circulating in the indoor air of your Orlando home. Because disinfectant lights clean the air that enters through the return grilles, the air is disinfected when it enters the HVAC system. The cost of an HVAC UV light system will depend on the size of your system and the type of UV light you choose.
While their cleansing power is not visible to the human eye, several studies suggest that UV lights kill germs at a high rate. If you don't replace a burned-out UV bulb, you won't be able to take advantage of the benefits that UV light can provide in your home. UV light purifiers are a great addition to your HVAC system because they offer many benefits of clean air in your home. Spiral disinfectant lights are great for keeping the HVAC system clean, but air sanitizer lights are the best at cleaning the air itself.
Research indicates that 99.9% of viruses and bacteria found in air ducts can be destroyed with ultraviolet light technology to improve air quality.
