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How paranoid about light leaks from furnace UV filter?

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How paranoid about light leaks from furnace UV filter? Bill Stock 04-21-2007
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Posted by Bill Stock on April 21, 2007, 9:29 pm


I just installed a UV filter for the furnace after reading all the good
things here and elsewhere.

I taped up the cold air return and Spaceguard filter with foil tape before
installing the UV filter. I saw a couple of leaks I missed when I first
fired it up. So I unplugged the filter and taped up the spots I missed. But
there are still a couple of indirect leaks (glow) around the humidifier and
the hatch for the Spaceguard filter. I plan to tape around the humidifier,
but I really can't tape up the door for the Spaceguard filter. Since the
furnace is in an enclosed space which keeps out man and beast, how worried
should I be about these minor leaks. Do I need to use a regular bulb (non
UV) to ferret out any small leaks?

Also I plan to write a few warnings here and there so the HVAC guy doesn't
blind himself come the annual cleaning. But I gather this is not a huge deal
or they would provide a few labels with this thing?



AppliancePartsPros.com, Inc.
Posted by CJT on April 21, 2007, 9:39 pm


Bill Stock wrote:

> I just installed a UV filter for the furnace after reading all the good
> things here and elsewhere.
>
> I taped up the cold air return and Spaceguard filter with foil tape before
> installing the UV filter. I saw a couple of leaks I missed when I first
> fired it up. So I unplugged the filter and taped up the spots I missed. But
> there are still a couple of indirect leaks (glow) around the humidifier and
> the hatch for the Spaceguard filter. I plan to tape around the humidifier,
> but I really can't tape up the door for the Spaceguard filter. Since the
> furnace is in an enclosed space which keeps out man and beast, how worried
> should I be about these minor leaks. Do I need to use a regular bulb (non
> UV) to ferret out any small leaks?

You could get some poster paint and make a detector easily enough. Some
laundry detergents will also glow under UV (I think maybe Whisk is one).

>
> Also I plan to write a few warnings here and there so the HVAC guy doesn't
> blind himself come the annual cleaning. But I gather this is not a huge deal
> or they would provide a few labels with this thing?
>
>


--
The e-mail address in our reply-to line is reversed in an attempt to
minimize spam. Our true address is of the form che...@prodigy.net.

Posted by Steve Barker on April 21, 2007, 10:17 pm


HUH!? Who cares if it leaks?

--
Steve Barker




>I just installed a UV filter for the furnace after reading all the good
>things here and elsewhere.
>
> I taped up the cold air return and Spaceguard filter with foil tape before
> installing the UV filter. I saw a couple of leaks I missed when I first
> fired it up. So I unplugged the filter and taped up the spots I missed.
> But there are still a couple of indirect leaks (glow) around the
> humidifier and the hatch for the Spaceguard filter. I plan to tape around
> the humidifier, but I really can't tape up the door for the Spaceguard
> filter. Since the furnace is in an enclosed space which keeps out man and
> beast, how worried should I be about these minor leaks. Do I need to use a
> regular bulb (non UV) to ferret out any small leaks?
>
> Also I plan to write a few warnings here and there so the HVAC guy doesn't
> blind himself come the annual cleaning. But I gather this is not a huge
> deal or they would provide a few labels with this thing?
>



Posted by Bob M. on April 21, 2007, 11:18 pm



>I just installed a UV filter for the furnace after reading all the good
>things here and elsewhere.


The title of this is "how paranoid about light leaks...." and the answer is
"very paranoid".


Posted by Kenny on April 22, 2007, 7:59 am



>
> >I just installed a UV filter for the furnace after reading all the good
> >things here and elsewhere.
>
>
> The title of this is "how paranoid about light leaks...." and the answer
is
> "very paranoid".

Depends on what wavelength and intensity the lamp
is running at.

Almost always the manufacturer (presuming it's not
a cheap overseas import, but even then one would
expect it to comply with US FDA regulations regarding
emission levels if it's being imported for sale in
the US), state safety precautions one should take
when servicing the lamps (or for that matter normal
day to day operation).

I think you have a legitimate concern, but my
involvement is with the type of UV equipment (and
lasers) that would most definitely be harmful to
human flesh/retinas.

Contact the manufacturer and find out what they
have to say on the topic.

A sidenote, UV lamps used for "tanning" emit a
different wavelength than ones used for cancelling
microbial organisms. Even then, most tan booths
require the victim to wear safety goggles that
filter out the otherwise harmful spectrum slice
that would fry their retinas/corneas.

keep this in mind when working near ANY UV
lamp !

(unrelated, i once witnessed a fellow worker
put his hand into the path of an invisible
wavelength high power laser beam - it punched
a hole clean through his hand - cauterizing
the flesh in the process. he didn't feel any
pain at the time of the mishap - but about a
minute later - look out ! the guy was in agony).

what you can't see/feel - CAN hurt you !




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