UV filter for home central heating?

[DaveC426913]

TL;DR

Had a guy come and check my furnace because it had an error code. Recommended a UV filter. Good? No?

Had my central air system checked when it sortta wasn't working. I guess I hadn't replaced the filter.

Guy suggested I might want to get a UV filter accessory. He said it would "kill bugs and particulates". I know UV can kill the former, not sure how he thinks it's gonna murder the latter.

Now I'm finding out there's more than one type of UV filter: one for the air flow and one for the coil. He was suggesting we might get one for the air flow, but now we'll have to change the bulb regularly.

Yes, we have animals. Yes, I am allergic to them. Yes, this is the first house I've had with central air (had rads for 60 years).

We rent this furnace. Not sure yet what/if there's an additional monthly cost for the add-on, but I assume so.

Good idea or nah?

Paging @russ_watters

 

[russ_watters]

UV light does kill microbes. It doesn't work very well in forced-air HVAC because the air moves too fast for enough exposure. A lot of my clients looked into it during COVID but more fresh air and remote work both worked better to avoid infection.

If you're having issues with pet allergens/dander, what you need is filtration. Use good filters in your HVAC unit and consider an air purifier. Almost all of them are a scam, so either pick a big, ugly and cheap one or make one with 4 filters, a box fan and a bunch of duct tape. The only thing that really matters with an air purifier is airflow: more is better.

 

[Baluncore]

Laminar flow cabinets circulate air through filters. UV light is used to sterilise the filters, to prevent colonisation of the filters with pathogens.

 

[DaveC426913]

Laminar flow cabinets circulate air through filters. UV light is used to sterilise the filters, to prevent colonisation of the filters with pathogens.

Yes, this is as I understand it: two types - one for air flow, one for filter sterilization.

 

[256bits]

TL;DR: Had a guy come and check my furnace because it had an error code. Recommended a UV filter. Good? No?

We rent this furnace

Why would one need a UV light for a furnace??
Are there cooling coils for the summer in the ductwork??

 

[DaveC426913]

Why would one need a UV light for a furnace??
Are there cooling coils for the summer in the ductwork??

Central air heating/cooling unit.

 

[russ_watters]

Why would one need a UV light for a furnace??
Are there cooling coils for the summer in the ductwork??

Not sure of the exact thrust of the question, but it's forced-air over furnace coils(plates). If you're saying that since they are hot they are sterilizing, that's true. But yes, the same system will have an AC coil that sits on top for the summer. A high fraction of residential systems in the US are that configuration.