Do I Need a UV Light for My Air Conditioner?

It's important to consider indoor air quality when choosing a new unit. If you're interested in having cleaner and better air in your Bozeman home, consider asking, "Do I need a UV light for my air conditioner?" Premier Systems, Bozeman's reliable AC maintenance team, is here to explain why you might benefit from installing a UV light in your air conditioner.

When you need reliable indoor air quality or AC services in Bozeman, call us at (406) 300-4258.

How UV Lights Work

When asking, "Do I need a UV light for my air conditioner?" you should understand how UV light works.

Essentially, ultraviolet light is a type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by both the sun and artificial light. Although there are three types of UV light (UVA, UVB, UVC), air conditioner UV lights use UVC light, as it's the safest for humans and the most effective at cleaning the air.

UV lights inside of an air conditioning unit use germicidal irradiation to cleanse incoming and outcoming air of nasty pathogens, like mold or bacteria. By doing so, your home's air supply becomes free of any and all toxins, making it safer for you to breathe. You'll also notice improved air quality, as UV light installation helps make the airflow process much smoother.

Can UV Light Cause Health Problems?

Most homeowners who ask, "Do I need a UV light for my air conditioner?" understand how effective it can be at purifying air. However, some people have concerns about whether UV light can cause health problems, as it's a harmful part of sun exposure. UV light inside of an air conditioner, however, is nothing but safe.

As stated, there's a clear difference between UVC light—used by air conditioners—and UVA and UVB light, more commonly associated with sunlight and other harmful artificial lights. The only real health risk from having UV light processing technology in your air conditioner is for your eyes.

Just as you should never stare into the sun, you shouldn't look directly at your unit's UV light filter. Usually, you won't even have to worry about accidentally getting UV light in your eye; these filters rest deep inside air conditioning systems.

Types of UV Lights for Air Conditioners

Homeowners often choose between two types of UV lights for air conditioners:

• Air sterilizer UV lights: As air passes into the AC unit, air sterilizer lights kick in to cleanse it of any and all pathogens. These lights turn on automatically whenever you power up your unit's fan.
• Air handler coil sterilizer UV lights: These units rest inside the air handler unit portion of an air conditioner system; they face the unit's coils. These coils are a lightning rod for the growth of molds, so these lights work around the clock to remove pathogens.

Each type of light has its pros and cons. However, both are extremely effective and are more or less the same. It's worth noting that you can only install air handler coil lights on split systems.

The Benefits of Air Conditioner UV Lights

Air conditioning UV lights offer an incredible spectrum of benefits; that's why more and more people are asking, "Do I need a UV light for my air conditioner?" Their air sterilization technology effectively prevents the spread of disease, as airborne bacteria and viruses are common causes of colds, infections, and other serious health problems.

However, you won't just avoid illness when you install air conditioning UV lights; your home will also smell better. Nothing's worse than foul odors plaguing your living space, but an air conditioner with UV lights kills smelly fungi and mold that often makes homes reek. Finally, for all of their health and comfort benefits, UV lights don't cost all that much—usually just $500 to $1,500.

By preventing expensive doctor visits and potentially even hospitalization, you'll easily get your money back. Even better, however, you'll say goodbye to expensive maintenance costs. Instead, you'll just need an occasional tune-up from your local HVAC professionals to keep your home free of diseases like COVID-19.

Contact Bozeman's Air Conditioner Experts

At Premier Systems, we offer reliable air conditioning services in Bozeman, MT. Our licensed and well-trained technicians have what it takes to install UV light systems in any type of air conditioner, no matter what.

So if you're still asking, "Do I need a UV light for my air conditioner," or if you want to increase airflow in an AC unit, get in touch! Call us at (406) 300-4258 today!