UV Germicidal Lights
UV Germicidal Lights | Ventilation and Air Quality | Heating and Air Conditioning | Pigeon Forge
Breathe in the fresh mountain air—inside your home. HEP’s UV germicidal lights work hand-in-hand with your heating and air conditioning system to neutralize up to 99% of airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold that circulate through your ducts. Installed by our local Pigeon Forge technicians, these powerful lights bathe your HVAC coil and air stream in germ-killing UV-C rays, stopping pathogens before they ever reach your living spaces. The result is cleaner air, fewer odors, and a system that runs more efficiently because it stays free of organic buildup.
If you’re searching for better ventilation and air quality without constant filter changes or noisy plug-in purifiers, UV technology is a smart, low-maintenance solution. From vacation cabins to year-round residences, we tailor each installation to the unique demands of Smoky Mountain homes, ensuring balanced airflow, proper humidity, and reliable temperature control all season long. Call HEP today to schedule a free in-home assessment and discover how effortlessly pristine your indoor air can be.
FAQs
What exactly are UV germicidal lights and how do they improve the air quality in my Pigeon Forge home?
UV germicidal lights are high-output ultraviolet lamps that are mounted inside your heating and air-conditioning system. They emit a specific wavelength (254 nm) that disrupts the DNA of microorganisms such as mold spores, bacteria, and many viruses, rendering them unable to reproduce. When installed in the return air plenum or over the evaporator coil, the lights continuously bathe the passing airflow and moist coil surface in UV energy. This keeps bio-growth from forming on interior HVAC components and kills many airborne pathogens before they circulate through your living spaces, resulting in cleaner, healthier air and fewer household odors.
Will a UV light really make a difference with allergies, mold, and the high humidity we get in Pigeon Forge?
Yes. East Tennessee’s warm, humid climate—especially in the summer months—encourages mold growth inside dark, damp HVAC coils and drain pans. That growth becomes a source of spores and musty smells that aggravate allergies and asthma. UV germicidal lamps continuously sterilize the coil surface so mold colonies cannot take hold, and they neutralize many airborne allergens and microbes that pass by the light. Customers typically report noticeable reductions in allergy flare-ups, sinus irritation, and persistent odors within a few weeks of installation.
Where do you install UV lamps in a residential HVAC system, and will they affect heating or cooling performance?
Most homes use one or two lamps. The first is aimed directly at the evaporator coil (the cold “A-coil” above the furnace or air handler) to keep it free of organic growth. A second optional lamp can be mounted in the return air duct to treat the entire airstream. Because UV bulbs produce light but almost no heat, they have no measurable impact on system efficiency or airflow resistance. In fact, keeping the coil clean allows heat transfer to occur more efficiently, which can help your system maintain set temperatures with less effort.
How often do the UV bulbs need to be replaced and what maintenance is involved?
Most HVAC-grade UV lamps are rated for 8,000–9,000 hours of operation—about one year of continuous use. We recommend changing the bulb annually during your spring or fall HVAC tune-up. The process is quick: power is shut off, the protective housing is opened, the old bulb is detached (similar to a fluorescent tube), and the new lamp is snapped in. Aside from bulb replacement and occasionally wiping dust from the lamp shield, no additional maintenance is required.
Are UV lights safe for my family, pets, and HVAC equipment?
When properly installed inside the ductwork or coil cabinet, the UV-C rays are completely contained and cannot shine into occupied areas, so there is no risk of skin or eye exposure. The bulbs are ozone-free and do not create harmful by-products. They are also engineered to operate at temperatures that pose no fire hazard and are certified by UL or ETL for HVAC use. UV light does not damage metal or synthetic HVAC components; in fact, by preventing bio-films, it prolongs coil life and improves condensate drainage.
How much does it cost to add UV germicidal lights to an HVAC system in Pigeon Forge, and will I save money in the long run?
For a typical single-system home, installed pricing ranges from $300 to $700 depending on the lamp model, the need for multiple bulbs, and electrical access. Operating cost is minimal—around $15-$20 per year in electricity. By keeping the evaporator coil free of organic buildup, UV lights can restore or maintain up to 15 % of lost HVAC efficiency, reduce service calls for clogged drain pans, and extend equipment life. Many homeowners recoup the upfront investment in 2–3 years through lower energy bills and fewer maintenance issues.