UV lights in AC coils?

Posted by Don Wiss on March 1, 2008, 9:12 pm

I'm replacing my central air conditioner with a much more efficient one. (I
hope Congress restores the $500 tax credit this year!) One of the options I
can buy is UV lamps for the coils. Carrier makes these claims:

- Kills bacteria & mold growing on the indoor coil
- Enhanced indoor air quality
- Enhanced air flow
- Minimizes microbial build-up on coils
- Improves system efficiency

See: http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/airquality/uvlamp/

Now I don't yet know how much this option is (or the annual replacement of
the bulbs). But is this something worth considering?

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Posted by Dr. Hardcrab on March 2, 2008, 8:29 am

> I'm replacing my central air conditioner with a much more efficient one.
> (I
> hope Congress restores the $500 tax credit this year!) One of the options
> I
> can buy is UV lamps for the coils. Carrier makes these claims:
> - Kills bacteria & mold growing on the indoor coil
> - Enhanced indoor air quality
> - Enhanced air flow
> - Minimizes microbial build-up on coils
> - Improves system efficiency
> See: http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/airquality/uvlamp/
> Now I don't yet know how much this option is (or the annual replacement of
> the bulbs). But is this something worth considering?

Figure on about $100 per bulb on replacement costs.....

Posted by Don Wiss on March 2, 2008, 12:18 pm

>Don Wiss wrote:

>> I'm replacing my central air conditioner with a much more efficient one. (I
>> hope Congress restores the $500 tax credit this year!) One of the options I
>> can buy is UV lamps for the coils. Carrier makes these claims:
>> - Kills bacteria & mold growing on the indoor coil
>> - Enhanced indoor air quality
>> - Enhanced air flow
>> - Minimizes microbial build-up on coils
>> - Improves system efficiency
>> See: http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/airquality/uvlamp/
>> Now I don't yet know how much this option is (or the annual replacement of
>> the bulbs). But is this something worth considering?

>Figure on about $100 per bulb on replacement costs.....

Well, if so, that becomes a $300/year expense. There is absolutely no way
that the system efficiency could be improved so much that I save $300 of
electricity (for summer only usage). The system will already be "up to" 21
SEER.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Posted by geothermaljones on March 2, 2008, 11:12 am

Check out the UV in the return ductwork...
The UV can degrade the plastics oft found on the A/C Coils, namely the
condensate drain pan.

geothermaljones

> I'm replacing my central air conditioner with a much more efficient one.

> hope Congress restores the $500 tax credit this year!) One of the options

> can buy is UV lamps for the coils. Carrier makes these claims:
> - Kills bacteria & mold growing on the indoor coil
> - Enhanced indoor air quality
> - Enhanced air flow
> - Minimizes microbial build-up on coils
> - Improves system efficiency
> See: http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/airquality/uvlamp/
> Now I don't yet know how much this option is (or the annual replacement of
> the bulbs). But is this something worth considering?
> Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Posted by Zyp on March 2, 2008, 5:12 pm

geothermaljones wrote:

> Check out the UV in the return ductwork...
> The UV can degrade the plastics oft found on the A/C Coils, namely the
> condensate drain pan.
> geothermaljones

>> I'm replacing my central air conditioner with a much more efficient
>> one. (I hope Congress restores the $500 tax credit this year!) One
>> of the options I can buy is UV lamps for the coils. Carrier makes
>> these claims:
>> - Kills bacteria & mold growing on the indoor coil
>> - Enhanced indoor air quality
>> - Enhanced air flow
>> - Minimizes microbial build-up on coils
>> - Improves system efficiency
>> See: http://www.residential.carrier.com/products/airquality/uvlamp/
>> Now I don't yet know how much this option is (or the annual
>> replacement of the bulbs). But is this something worth considering?
>> Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

donwiss:

Geothermljones is spot on. You have to be cautious on the evaporator coil
pans.

HVAC Tech isn't thinking well. The mold that can grow will inhibit thermal
transfer from the air to the coil. UV lights have been proven to increase
efficiency in that respect. Albeit over time.

The thing with mold though, is it requires a dark, damp and warm spot to
grow. That in mind, while the air conditioning is in operation, the cooling
coil hopefully is around 40º F. Not the best for mold growth. But, when
standing water is left in the condensate pan, and the system is at rest [or
heats during the evening, cools during the day], can leave the opportunity
for mold growth.

--
Zyp

Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 > last >>

Similar Threads	Posted
Home furnace: 1 of 4 gas jets seldom lights. Bad valve?	December 10, 2007, 12:27 pm
Condenser Coils	August 26, 2008, 7:15 pm
Any experince with Aspen coils?	July 2, 2007, 7:26 pm
Evap Coils not all sweating	May 29, 2007, 9:00 pm
New Evaporator Coils necessary for new Condenser ?	May 6, 2008, 1:50 pm
Evap coils freezing up- Any advice?	July 28, 2007, 1:00 pm
is there anyway to disassemble a window a/c and coils farther from the unit?	October 14, 2006, 2:47 pm
Silver Turns Black / A/C Coils Turn Black	September 19, 2006, 5:11 pm