Every year our HVAC company tries to sell us UV lights for the HVAC system. They claim it's only about $1500 to install. Are these snake oil?

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orwin 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Depends on your HVAC system and the maintenance cost in your area. For me at 150€ per intervention it wouldn't make any sense, but I have heard some HVAC develop a smell and in that case, UV is likely to prevent it.

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stuaxo an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

If I had an HVAC system I would absolutely have UV in it, to mitigate sick building syndrome etc.

Can't comment on the price.

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mahrain 6 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Mostly used to eliminate or reduce mould growth on the inverter? If HVAC is taking air in or blowing air out, there really wouldn't be a point disinfecting the air.

If it's re-circulating, it could reduce the spread of germs room to room as has been shown during the pandemic in elderly care facilities. That would be the only use-case I see.

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unsnap_biceps 6 hours ago | parent [-]

they claim it would reduce growths on the coils but also eliminate mold and bacteria spores. Our system is a re-circulating system. One large intake in the center of the house and out flows in individual rooms.

	▲	mahrain 6 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The mould reduction is real, and could lenghten the maintenance intervals for cleaning. Not fully eliminate it though, it really only eliminates the parts the UV light reaches (so not the back, or any other part not exposed).