The Impact Commercial UV Lights on HVAC Coil Performance & Allergens

As we bid farewell to the winter cold and welcome the refreshing springtime, it’s essential to ensure our facilities are prepared for the change in seasons. The performance of HVAC coils and their impact on allergies is a critical aspect that often goes unnoticed. This post will shed light on how UVGI lights can be used in a building’s HVAC system to help maintain coil efficiency and how it can significantly reduce allergy triggers.

Understanding Coils in HVAC Systems

Coils play a pivotal role in HVAC systems, acting as a conduit for heat transfer. They are responsible for cooling your indoor air in the summer and heating it in the winter, ultimately controlling your facility’s comfort level. However, over time, these coils can accumulate dust and other airborne particles, which not only affect the HVAC system’s performance but can also negatively impact indoor air quality.

The Connection Between Coil Performance and Allergies

Airborne particles trapped in dirty or inefficient coils can circulate through your facility, leading to poor indoor air quality. As springtime brings an increase in allergens, such as pollen and mold spores, the situation can quickly escalate, exacerbating allergy symptoms for those within your facility. Maintaining clean, efficient coils is crucial in ensuring healthy indoor air quality.

Commercial UV Lights Improve Coil Performance and Reduce Allergens

That’s where Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI), specifically UV-C light, comes into play. This technology, recognized by industry authorities such as ASHRAE and the CDC, eliminates these microscopic troublemakers right at the source using UV-C wavelengths.

So, what makes UV-C light so special? Well, it’s a germ-busting powerhouse! UV-C light can penetrate the cells of microbes like viruses, bacteria, and mold, altering them so they can’t reproduce and spread. This means it can help improve the air quality in your building by eliminating these harmful contaminants. Plus, it also helps increase the efficiency of your HVAC system by keeping coils clean and preventing microbial growth. This translates to lower maintenance costs and higher performance.

Tips to Improve Coil Performance

Maintaining coil performance isn’t as daunting as it might seem. Here are a few tips to help you tackle this task:

1. Regular Maintenance: Schedule regular professional cleanings to prevent dust and particle buildup on the coils.
2. Upgrade Your System: Consider incorporating advanced technology like UV light disinfection, such as the Fresh-Aire UV Commercial Core System. This system sterilizes airborne viruses, bacteria, and allergens, improving indoor air quality and enhancing HVAC efficiency.
3. Monitor Coil Performance: Keep a close eye on your HVAC system’s efficiency. A sudden spike in energy costs could indicate dirty coils.

Investing in UVGI: A Win for Allergy Sufferers and Coil Efficiency

In conclusion, UV-C light technology is not just a trend; it’s a game-changer in the HVAC industry. The benefits of UV-C light go beyond just improving coil performance and indoor air quality. It also significantly reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs, extends equipment lifespan, and provides continuous protection against biological contamination.

For those looking to elevate their facility’s HVAC system, Fresh-Aire UV offers a range of commercial products that can be tailored to your specific needs. Their systems meet LEED accreditation standards, ensuring you’re making an environmentally conscious choice. Not only do they offer solutions for healthier air, but they also contribute to a healthier planet.

With a reputable track record endorsed by ASHRAE, NAFA, and the US General Services Administration (GSA), Fresh-Aire UV stands as a beacon of innovation and reliability in the industry (source). As we step into spring, let’s embrace this technology to create healthier, more comfortable spaces for everyone.

With UV-C Disinfection, you’ll be able to breathe easily knowing that your coils are clean and free of harmful germs. You’ll also save money on maintenance costs and won’t have to worry about a dirty coil causing problems with your HVAC system or energy costs.

Dirty Coils = Higher Maintenance & Energy Costs

HVAC coils, like all parts of a system, need to be clean for optimal performance. As the coils become dirtier with dust, pollen, mold spores, mildew, and other particles – the ability for the coil to transfer heat decreases. The decrease in efficiency can cost you more in energy and money, because the system has to work harder to reach desired temperatures.

When coils are left uncleaned, the dust and other contaminants that accumulate on them can form into a thick layer of grime. This reduces efficiency, increases energy costs, and causes breakdowns more frequently.

Commercial HVAC coils become dirty very quickly due to the high volume of air that passes through them. Dust and debris can settle on the coils, reducing their efficiency, leading to higher energy costs. Over time, airborne germs such as mold and bacteria can build up on the coils, further reducing performance and potentially causing health issues for building occupants.

Regular coil cleaning is necessary to maintain optimal performance and energy efficiency but can be expensive and time-consuming.

Why Clean HVAC Coils are Key

1. Helps the System to Run More Efficiently

One of the primary reasons why it’s important to clean the coils in your commercial HVAC system is that it helps the system to run more efficiently. When coils are clogged with dirt and debris, they have to work harder to transfer heat, which can lead to increased energy consumption and higher utility bills. Regular cleaning will help to ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible.

2. Helps to Prolong the Life of the System

Another reason why cleaning coils is important is that it helps to prolong the life of the system. When coils can begin to corrode, which can shorten the lifespan of your HVAC system. By keeping them clean, you can help to ensure that your system lasts for many years.

3. Reduces Repair and Maintenance Costs

In addition to helping your HVAC system run more efficiently and last longer, regular coil cleaning can also help to reduce repair and maintenance costs. When coils are clogged, they are more likely to break down, which can lead to expensive repairs. By keeping them clean, you can avoid these costly repairs.

4. Improves Indoor Air Quality

Another benefit of clean coils is that it improves indoor air quality. When coils collect dirt and debris, they can release these particles into the air, which can cause respiratory problems for people who are exposed to them. Regular cleaning will help to remove these particles from the air and improve the quality of the air inside your building.

5. Reduces Allergens in the Air

In addition to improving indoor air quality, regular coil cleaning can also help to reduce allergens in the air. Coil cleaning removes pollen, dust mites, and other allergens from the coils, which helps to improve air quality for people who suffer from allergies or asthma

Traditional Coil Cleaning Methods

Traditional coil cleaning involves the use of harsh chemicals and abrasive methods to remove dust, debris, and microorganisms from commercial HVAC coils. This can be a time-consuming process that must be done frequently in order to maintain optimal performance and energy efficiency. Unfortunately, due to reduced manpower caused by budget cuts or staff shortages, this regular maintenance may not be done as often as necessary, leading to decreased performance and increased energy costs.

UV-C Disinfection – The Easier, More Efficient Solution for HVAC Coils

Visually inspecting your coils may not be enough to detect when they need cleaning. That’s why UVGI disinfection is helping facilities keep their coils clean and running optimally.

UV-C light is a type of ultraviolet light that has been scientifically proven to kill germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms on contact. It can be used in an HVAC system to reduce the spread of airborne germs, and keep the coils running clean and efficiently.

Benefits of UV-C

1. Keeps your coils clean and running optimally
2. Improves coil performance
3. Dramatically reduces the need for frequent coil cleaning
4. Reduces the spread of airborne germs

UV-C disinfection is an effective way to keep commercial HVAC coils clean and free of germs without the need for frequent coil cleanings. UV-C light is able to penetrate the coil surface and kill mold, bacteria and other germs without the need for harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning methods. This allows coils to maintain optimal performance while saving time and mo

ney on maintenance costs. It also greatly reduces the spread of airborne germs, keeping occupants safe and healthy in their buildings.

Depending on what your facility’s goal is – coil cleaning, air disinfection, or reducing HAI’s Cooney Coil & Energy can help. Our team is trained to properly measure and design an effective UV-C system for your HVAC system and goals. Our commercial Fresh Aire-UV products are robust, American made and backed by a lifetime warranty on all parts (expect bulbs).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does UV Cleaning Really Work?

Yes, ultraviolet (UV) cleaning is a proven technology for disinfecting commercial HVAC systems. UV cleaning uses intense light from an ultraviolet lamp to destroy bacteria, mold and other contaminants that can build up in air ducts.

How Does UV Disinfection Work?

UV disinfection works by exposing contaminants in an HVAC system to intense light from a UV lamp. The ultraviolet light breaks down the structure of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, killing them on contact. This helps reduce the spread of airborne germs and ensures that coils in an HVAC system remain free of contaminants and running optimally.

Does UV-C Kill Mold on Coils?

Yes, UV-C light is very effective at killing mold as long as a system is measured and designed properly. UV-C light is able to penetrate the coil surface and kill mold spores such as aspergillus niger (black mold) that may be present on the surface, helping to keep HVAC coils clean and free of contaminants.

When using a Fresh Aire UV-C bulb, the germ-killing effect starts almost immediately – with about 90% of surface microbes being sterilized within the first few minutes. After the first 24 hours, this number increases to about 99.99%.

How does UV-C compare to bipolar ionization?

Ultraviolet C (UV-C) is an established air disinfection technology that can be used to inactivate viruses, such as SARS-2-CoV, the virus that causes COVID-19. When compared to bipolar ionization, UV-C has been studied for more than a century and there are some significant differences between the two technologies.

The primary difference between UV-C and bipolar ionization is how each technology works. Bipolar Ionization uses electrical charges to create ions that attach to tiny particles in the air and either kill them or make them heavier so they’ll settle out on surfaces. On the other hand, UV-C light breaks down DNA strands of viruses and other microorganisms, rendering them inactive.

In simple terms, bipolar ionization acts like a trap, while UV-C actively kills microorganisms and contaminants.

How often do UV-C bulbs need to be replaced?

Although lamps may still emit visible light even after their designated 1 or 2-year lifespan, their UV effectiveness will decrease over time. This is why it is important to replace your amplifier after its designated lifetime – as the lamp’s UV output will no longer be as effective at killing germs and viruses in the environment.

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Indoor air quality has become a hot topic in the HVAC industry. Imagine your facility is a living breathing organism. The HVAC system would be the lungs or respiratory system of the building.

Over time as buildings became more contained and tighter to conserve energy, the causes of asthma and allergy-related illness have been on the rise. The use of more recirculated air within these small spaces has posed an issue.

We’re trapped inside with biologicals and contaminants. Let’s find a way to treat them.

The History of UV Lights

UVGI has been around forever! …Well, a very long time. UVGI has been used in the food industry, water purification, and even used to disinfect hospital operating rooms in the 1930s. In the 1990s the HVAC industry began to see the benefit of UV lights. There have been many studies on the use of UV light for disinfection ASHRAE, the CDC, and WHO all recognize the effectiveness of UV lights.

Benefits of UV Light in the HVAC System

Cleaner Coils = Lower Costs + Increased Performance

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is an effective tool for improving the performance of air handler coils. This technology eliminates the build-up of biofilm on coil fins, which can reduce efficiency and increase airflow. It also helps to prevent microbial growth on surfaces like drain pans, walls, floors and blower shrouds. Installing a UVGI system in an HVAC system will reduce costs associated with pressure/chemical washing and provide continual protection against biological contamination 24 hours a day. Implementing this technology can lead to significant cost savings while ensuring peak performance of the equipment.

Improving Indoor Air Quality for Healthy Buildings

UV light is an essential part of maintaining healthy air quality in commercial facilities and can help keep occupants safe from harmful contaminants. Strategically placed UV Light systems will help mitigate the levels of contaminants in your AHU system and therefore the levels in your building’s airstream.

UV lights can reach every inch of the space and eliminate bacteria, mold, and viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. UVGI offers a chemical-free method to control biologicals that is safe and effective.

Summary

It’s clear that UVC technology is here to stay! If you’re looking for a way to reduce energy costs, improve air quality, and protect occupant health in your facility, UV Light is the solution.

Some considerations when installing UV lights are:

• The size of the HVAC system and ductwork

• The wattage of the bulbs that will be used

• Where they should be placed (near coils or inside ducts)

• Maintenance requirements like bulb replacement and cleaning intervals

It’s important to consult with an HVAC expert who has experience with UV light installation so you can determine the best positioning for optimal results. With proper care and maintenance, UV lights can last for many years and provide effective protection against airborne microbes, dust mites, mold spores and other allergens, as well as reducing energy costs.

If you’re concerned about indoor air quality in your facility, UV light is an effective, cost-effective solution that can help improve health and system performance over time. Contact our experts today at [email protected] or give us a call at (610) 783-1136!