Ultraviolet Energy: The Dedicated Aid For Commercial HVAC

All Time Air Conditioning is Dedicated to Helping the Commercial HVAC Industry

Institutional and commercial HVAC systems have been using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, which is light within the UV-C wavelength (254nm), extensively since the mid-1990s. At first, it was used for improving air quality (IAQ), and then, later on, to reduce necessary maintenance, boost the efficiency of heat exchange, and improve airflow.

These HVAC improvements are achieved for less than $0.15 per CFM- which is a small fraction of the 10-25 percent of potential maintenance and energy savings that this efficiency-enhancing technology provides.

UV-C Efficiencies Maintained

UV-C light is an affordable and highly effective technology that keeps a commercial HVAC system’s critical components clean and running according to as-built specifications. UV-C is, in fact, about as close to having a dedicated helper that you can possibly get. The benefits that are provided range from healthier and better indoor air to fewer occupant complaints, lower operating expenses, and improved energy efficiency. All of those system-enhancing efficiencies are contained in Chapter 60.8 in the 2011 ASHRAE Handbook of HVAC Applications.

In HVAC/R equipment, there are two very distinctly different methods that are used to apply ultraviolet-C energy (UV-C). The first method is surface irradiation of cooling coils, drain pans, and other plenum interior surfaces to maintain heat transfers as well as other types of performance efficiencies. Airstream disinfection is the other method. It kills airborne infectious microorganisms within HVAC air. it is best to wait to discuss airborne treatment in a future article. However, it is worthwhile to note that a good amount of airstream disinfection can be provided by a surface irradiation application while also maintaining heat transfer along with other types of performance efficiencies. In typical applications, it is possible to achieve a single-pass airborne kill ratio as high as 25%. This means that every time the UV-C lamps are passed by the air, 25% of all airborne microbes are killed. So let’s examine one of the more common UV-C technology uses: HVAC surface irradiation. It represents more than 95% of installations in North America.

UV-C Used For Surface Irradiation

As air conditioning equipment and units continue to grow older, there is a decline in their ability to maintain sufficient humidity levels and space temperatures. The culprit is most often decreased coil heat-transfer efficiency, or the air-handling-unit coil’s ability to eliminate heat out of the air. According to evidence, this reduced level of performance can take place within five years after startup due to contaminants accumulating on coil surfaces, which can result in coil fouling.

There are of course other cost penalties that are associated with coil fouling, including more energy consumed to help compensate for coil capacity that has been lost, more water being pumped, and chilled water temperatures being lowered. There are also more hot/cold calls and maintenance actions that are associated with them.

Those losses in performance have resulted in many building operators retrofitting their air-conditioning systems successfully with UV-C systems. Chapter 60.8 of the ASHRAE’s 2011 Handbook states that UV-C technology may reduce coil-cleaning procedures, coil pressure drop, biofilm, and mold. It also states that using UV-c can help to increase heat-transfer coefficient and airflow and reduce the energy use of refrigeration systems and fans. his has been shown to be true by thousands of installations.

Those losses in performance have resulted in many building operators retrofitting their air-conditioning systems successfully with UV- C systems. Chapter 60.8 of the ASHRAE’s 2011 Handbook states that UV-C technology may reduce coil-cleaning procedures, coil pressure drop, biofilm, and mold. It also states that using UV-c can help to increase heat-transfer coefficient and airflow and reduce the energy use of refrigeration systems and fans. his has been shown to be true by thousands of installations.

Payback and Costs

A majority of uses report that their high output lamp system cost was under $0.15 per CFM. On a 10,000 CFM system, that is less than $1,500 and a 24/7 operating cost of less than $188 per year a $0.10/kW. This is less than 1% of the 18% power that is saved, on average, for operating an air conditioning system. Field reports also indicate that a UV-C system’s initial costs are less than a coil-cleaning procedure that is properly performed, particularly when you consider contractor labor costs, overtime wages, off-hours work, or system shutdown costs.

UV-C surface irradiation systems offer a number of important benefits, including maintaining comfort levels and indoor air quality that are commensurate with the performance requirements of the owner’s HVAC system, while wasted minimal amounts of energy in the process. UV-C system maintains the as-built condition beginning at start-up for new construction. With retrofit applications, the UV-C system cleans drain pans, eliminates organic growth on all of the coil surfaces, and cleans all of the other interior surfaces as well. A couple of months after UV-C applications, surfaces will still be clean and continue to be clean after that. They required less overhead expense and maintenance.

The benefits also include improved IAQ, reduced operating expenses, minimal occupant complaints, and greater energy efficiency. It is easy to install and start to use UV-C in a facility. Lamps just need to be installed in a rooftop system or air handler and then replace them once a year.

Bringing UV-C Purification to Businesses in Palm Beach County, Florida

So if you or someone you know has been stressing out about COVID-19 or other viruses and pathogens then we are happy to say we can help put your mind at ease. If you call us today we will schedule you as soon as the next day to install your new in-duct UV-C air purification system. The quality of the air in your business is one of the most important and neglected aspects of businesses across America. All Time Air Conditioning is trying to fix that problem in our section of the world. Give us a call at 561-777-9888 and ask us about any current promotions to help improve the indoor air quality of your home or business.