Benefits of UV Lights in HVAC Systems

Ultraviolet (UV) lights for HVAC systems provide an effective, low-maintenance way to improve indoor air quality, maintain system efficiency, and reduce microbial growth. Superior Heating and Cooling installs and services UV lights for homes across Central Alabama — including McCalla, Woodstock, West Blocton, Centreville, Lake View, Pelham, Alabaster, Montevallo, and nearby communities — offering professional guidance, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

Why UV Lights?

Reduce microbial growth: UV-C radiation targets and deactivates bacteria, mold, viruses, and other microorganisms on coil surfaces and in the airstream. By disrupting microbial DNA or RNA, UV lights prevent regrowth and lower overall biological contaminants in the home.
Improve indoor air quality (IAQ): With fewer viable microbes circulating, occupants often experience fewer allergy and asthma triggers, reduced odors, and a generally healthier indoor environment.
Improve coil efficiency: Microbial buildup on evaporator coils and drain pans reduces heat transfer and airflow. UV lights keep these surfaces cleaner, helping your system maintain designed efficiency and potentially lowering energy use and wear on components.
Limit odors: Mold and bacterial growth in drain pans and on coil surfaces can cause musty or unpleasant smells. UV treatment reduces these odors by targeting the organisms that produce them, improving indoor comfort.
Enhance indoor air quality: By reducing viable microorganisms circulating through the ductwork and airstream, UV lights can help lower the concentration of allergens and pathogens in living spaces — especially useful for households with allergy or respiratory sensitivities.
Low maintenance and long life: UV lamps are relatively low-maintenance. Typically installed near coils or in the return duct, they require periodic lamp replacement (usually annually to biennially depending on model and usage) and occasional cleaning to remain effective. Superior Heating and Cooling can set up a maintenance schedule so lamps are changed and inspected at the right intervals.
Complementary to filtration: UV lights work alongside filters and other air-cleaning products. While filters capture particles, UV-C inactivates biological contaminants that filters may miss or that can accumulate on system surfaces.
Types and placement: There are two common UV strategies:
- Coil/evaporator UVs: Mounted near the evaporator coil to keep the coil and drain pan clean, protecting system efficiency and reducing biological growth at the source.
- In-duct/airstream UVs: Installed in the return or supply duct to irradiate the moving airstream and reduce microbes in circulation.
Safety and performance considerations: Proper installation and sizing are important. UV-C light can be harmful to skin and eyes if exposure occurs, and lamps must be positioned so the UV energy is directed into the system, not into occupied spaces. Lamp wattage, number, and placement should match the HVAC system’s size and configuration to ensure effective coverage.
When to consider UV lights:
- Recurring mold or musty odors from the HVAC system
- Households with occupants who have allergies, asthma, or compromised immune systems
- Older systems showing signs of reduced coil performance due to biological fouling
- Homes in humid climates like Central Alabama where microbial growth is more likely
Why choose Superior Heating and Cooling: Our technicians assess your system and indoor air quality needs, recommend the right UV solution (coil-mounted or in-duct), install lamps safely, and provide ongoing maintenance. Serving McCalla, Woodstock, West Blocton, Centreville, Lake View, Pelham, Alabaster, Montevallo, and surrounding areas, we ensure your UV system operates safely and effectively to help protect your indoor air and HVAC efficiency.
Have questions or want an assessment? Contact Superior Heating and Cooling to schedule an inspection and find the best UV option for your home.

Service Area

Providing Superior HVAC service to Central Alabama

We are proud to serve our customers in Central Alabama! We are based out of Centreville, AL and serve a wide range of customers in Bibb County, Jefferson County, Tuscaloosa County, Perry County, Chilton County, and Shelby County Alabama.

To find out more about the cities we serve, view the links below.