In 1903, Niels Finsen won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his use of ultraviolet light in the treatment of tuberculosis. Since then, ultraviolet lights have been widely adapted for all kinds of uses: sterilizing hospitals, sterilizing water, germicidal lamps in food establishments, and even curing nail polish faster. If UV light is so effective, how can it be applied to improving indoor air quality for residential HVAC systems? Will it kill mold and bacteria in HVAC systems? Yes, but you need to understand the priorities of indoor air quality and the types of UV lights available for residential HVAC systems. About 2 years ago, we installed a 19 SEER Lennox XC 21 air conditioner. During our most recent AC service, the technician also installed a TopTech HVAC UV light inside the air handler, which remains turned on 24/7. According to the technician from Engineered Air, HVAC UV lights are very effective at controlling mold inside the air handler. All mold in line-of-sight of the UV bulb will be killed, keeping the coil mold-free.

He also mentioned that several clients with respiratory problems are even able to tell if the UV bulb has burned-out due to reduced air quality. I’ll let you know if I am able to tell. There are two types of UV lights for HAVC systems. Two studies point to the effectiveness of UV light in killing mold and bacteria, one in hospitals and the other in a commercial HVAC system. The TopTech UV stick light bulb is estimated to last 9000 hours, just over 1 year. Replacement bulbs cost about $70. Replace the bulb during each annual HVAC service and maintenance is nearly effortless. The TopTech UV light we installed is rated at 1.1 amps. To calculate annual energy costs, I used these handy calculators For just under $100 per year ($24 electricity + $70 replacement bulb), my family has peace-of-mind knowing that we are breathing the highest-quality indoor air. It seems like a small price to pay. But it doesn’t make sense to install an HVAC UV light unless you’ve followed the indoor air quality priorities.

While HVAC UV lights are effective for killing mold, bacteria, germs and odors, make sure you have completed the indoor air quality basics: HVAC UV lights are an effective means for improving indoor air quality, but only after following the indoor air quality priorities. Install an HVAC UV light and experience healthier indoor air quality.Evaporator Coil Cleaning in Kansas City Your air conditioner needs an inspection and tune-up every year before the cooling season begins, but did you know that your evaporator coil needs to be maintained too? You only need to schedule evaporator coil cleaning every two to five years depending on the usage—but do you even know when was the last time you had a professional look at it? What is an evaporator coil? Your evaporator coil sits on top of your furnace. After years of working to cool your home, it can build up musty debris. Not only does this decrease the quality of your air, but it can cost you more money to operate your system.

Benefits of Cleaning Your Evaporator Coil Improve operating cost – your AC will not have to work as hard to cool and condition the air through a clean coil than a dirty, debris filled one. This can save you money on your monthly energy bills—especially when the hottest months in Kansas City arrive! Improve cooling capacity – does it seem that your home isn’t staying as cool at the same thermostat setting? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a dirty evaporator coil can increase energy consumption by 30 percent! uv air cleaner whole houseThat means more energy is going toward conditioning air through the coil than keeping your home comfortably cool.dvd lens cleaner blu ray Extend the life of your equipment – when your AC has to work with a dirty evaporator coil, it can work itself overtime trying to keep up with the thermostat setting. best air purifier hair salon

A clean coil ensures that the machine is operating at maximum efficiency—and will do so for its expected lifespan. Improve your air quality – tired of that musty smell coming from your air vents? It is likely coming from a dirty evaporator coil. Professionally cleaning your coil every two to five years will ensure that the air being circulated through your home is healthy to breath. While there are many “DIY guides” for evaporator coil cleaning, having a professional HVAC technician come to your home every two to five years is recommended. Our cooling technicians work with heavy duty cleaners and are prepared to handle larger coil blockage from debris that has built up over time. If you suspect mold growth in your coil, you should call a HVAC contractor, like Top Notch, right away to have the equipment properly cleaned and ensure that your family is safe from harmful pathogens in your ductwork. To keep your family comfortably cool all summer without breaking the bank, we often run promotions on evaporator coil cleaning in the Kansas City area, so check out our special offers page to schedule yours with the experts at Top Notch Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today!

Contact us online or call us today at (913) 535-8002. Tell Us How We Can Help Name*Email*Phone*How can we help you? Sign Me Up For The Top Notch Newsletter Check Out Our Special Offers & Couponsin Chiller Tube Cleaning, HVACThis week’s post ends our series on “Spring cleaning” your facility’s cooling system. You can download our three printable HVAC cleaning checklists for reference:Checklist 1: How to Clean Chiller Tubes Checklist 2: How To Clean Air Conditioner Coils Checklist 3: How to Clean Cooling TowersThis last post in our HVAC “Spring Cleaning” blog series addresses how to properly clean your cooling system’s air conditioner coils.In 2015, subscribers who read this article also: Searched Coil Cleaning Systems & ChemicalsPurchased CoilShin Coil Cleaning SolutionDownloaded HVAC “Spring Cleaning” ChecklistsDirt and grime build up on air conditioner coils if they’re not cleaned, causing the system to work harder. Not only that, but dirty air conditioner coils increase the cost to run your system and decrease cooling.

Dirty coils also reduce the life span of your equipment and they interfere with the adequate heat transfer, requiring more electricity to run the system. Dirty evaporators can spread mold and other contaminants, causing poor indoor air quality, which leads to the potential for people to experience respiratory issues.A clean system lasts longer, works at peak efficiency and saves the cost of expensive repairs. You can improve the efficiency of your cooling system 16% just by cleaning the evaporator and air conditioning coils.Pressurized water pushes dirt back out of the coils, but using too much pressure can bend the coil’s delicate fins. The aluminum fins, responsible for heat exchange, become permanently ruined if they’re bent. Heat and steam aren’t recommended to clean coils as they cause high pressure within the coils, potentially damaging them.Our step-by-step “How to Clean Air Conditioner Coils” checklist walks you through the process for cleaning both air handler and condenser coils.