At Heat and Air Gurus, we’re committed to helping our customers breathe cleaner, healthier air inside their homes. One of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) is by incorporating UV light technology into your HVAC system. You may have heard of products like the Reme Halo and APCO-X, but you might be wondering: how do they actually work, and are they worth the investment?
In this blog, I’ll break down everything you need to know about UV air conditioning in simple terms, so even a fifth grader could understand. By the end, you’ll have a clear idea of whether a UV light system is right for your home and how it compares to other air purification methods.
How Do Reme Halo and APCO-X Actually Work?
Let’s start with the basics. The Reme Halo and APCO-X are two popular products that use UV light technology to clean the air in your home. But how do they work?
Imagine you’re in a room full of little floating dust particles. The Reme acts like a giant flashlight that shines UV light on those particles, zapping them away. It uses something called ionization to create charged particles, which stick to dust, pollen, and even bacteria. Once they’re clumped together, they’re easier to trap in your air filter, which means less dust and fewer germs floating around in your air.
The REME HALO® is an advanced in-duct air purifier that utilizes UV light and proprietary technology to improve indoor air quality by reducing bacteria, viruses, mold spores, odors, and VOCs. It generates low levels of hydrogen peroxide to clean the air throughout your home, providing active air purification. This system can be installed in almost any HVAC system and is effective at reducing airborne contaminants and improving the freshness of indoor air.
For more details, visit the official page: REME HALO® Whole Home In-Duct Air Purifier.
APCO-X:
The APCO-X also uses UV light, but it does something a little different. It’s like a vacuum cleaner for bad smells and germs in your air. The UV light in the APCO-X breaks down harmful chemicals, bacteria, and mold that might be lurking in your air ducts. It even helps reduce odors from cooking or pets. This system also works directly inside your HVAC system, cleaning the air before it’s blown into your rooms.
The APCO-X by Fresh-Aire UV is an advanced in-duct air purifier combining UVC light and activated carbon technology to neutralize odors, allergens, mold, germs, viruses, and VOCs. It’s designed to treat the whole home and the HVAC system, improving indoor air quality while ensuring safe operation without harmful byproducts. The system's EverCarbon™ technology enhances effectiveness, and it includes a lifetime product guarantee. For more information, visit the official page: APCO-X by Fresh-Aire UV.
Both systems are designed to keep your indoor air clean and healthy by using UV light to kill or neutralize harmful particles in the air. It’s like having a shield that constantly fights off the bad stuff, so you and your family can breathe easier. In my experience, I have found both Reme and APCO effectively neutralize odors, but because of the activated carbon technology the APCO is slightly more effective.
Does UV in an AC System Work?
Now, you might be asking yourself, "Does UV light in an AC system really work?" The short answer is: yes, it does. UV air conditioning systems are proven to reduce airborne contaminants, improve IAQ, and even help your HVAC system run more efficiently. By eliminating mold, bacteria, and viruses that can build up in your air ducts, a UV light system ensures that the air circulating through your home is as clean as possible.
But don’t just take my word for it. Studies have shown that UV light technology can reduce bacteria and viruses by up to 99% in your home’s air. This makes it a powerful tool in keeping your indoor environment healthy, especially during allergy season or flu outbreaks.
Should I Buy a UV Light for My AC System?
If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, investing in UV light for your AC system could be a smart choice. Here are some questions to help you decide if it’s right for you:
Do you or your family members suffer from allergies or asthma? If so, a UV light system can help reduce airborne allergens like dust and pollen.
Do you notice musty odors or mold in your home? UV lights can help eliminate these smells by killing mold spores in your air ducts.
Are you looking for a way to improve your home’s air quality without constantly replacing filters or using chemical sprays? UV lights provide a low-maintenance, chemical-free solution.
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then a UV light system could be a worthwhile investment for your home.
Pros and Cons of UV Air Conditioning
As with any technology, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to install a UV light in your HVAC system. Let’s take a closer look:
Pros of UV Air Conditioning:
Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): One of the biggest benefits of UV air conditioning is cleaner air. By killing bacteria, viruses, mold, and other harmful particles, UV lights help ensure that the air you breathe is healthier.
Reduced Allergens: UV lights can significantly reduce common allergens in your home, such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander, making it easier for allergy sufferers to breathe.
Odor Reduction: UV systems help eliminate odors from cooking, pets, and mold, leaving your home smelling fresher.
Increased HVAC Efficiency: A clean HVAC system is an efficient HVAC system. By keeping your air ducts free of mold and other buildup, UV lights can help your system run more smoothly, potentially lowering your energy bills. Not to mention, keeping it clean will also extend the life of the HVAC system
Low Maintenance: Once installed, UV systems require minimal maintenance. They work silently in the background, continuously cleaning your air.
Cons of UV Air Conditioning:
Initial Cost: Installing a UV light system in your HVAC unit can be an investment. While the initial cost might be high, the long-term benefits often outweigh the upfront expense.
Bulb Replacement: The UV bulbs in these systems need to be replaced every 2-3 years for maximum effectiveness. This can cost anywhere from $400 to $600, depending on the model and your HVAC setup. This is something most AC companies won’t tell you upfront, but it’s important to factor into your decision.
Limited Effectiveness Against Large Particles: UV lights are great for killing germs and breaking down chemicals, but they’re not as effective against larger particles like dust. This means you’ll still need a good air filter to catch those particles.
At Heat and Air Gurus one of our favorite set ups to maximize IAQ (indoor air quality) in a home includes a MERV 16 Air filter combined with a REME or APCO-X. This is because the MERV 16 filter catches 99.6% of all particulates on the return side while the UV is positioned on the supply side of the system. Having highly effective filtration on the return or intake side plus the UV on the supply side creates an unparalleled environment with exceptional IAQ our customers love!
How UV in AC can help Asthmatic, Highly Allergic or other High-Risk IAQ Concerns:
Some of our customers that our highly motivated by health concerns frequently take it a step further. In addition to UV and MERV 16 filtration we can bring in fresh air using ERV (energy recovery ventilator). Mixing filtered and conditioned fresh air is incredibly beneficial to your homes IAQ. Additionally, humidifiers and/or dehumidifiers can be installed to optimize indoor environment. Most homes here in Carrollton and greater North Texas have ventilated attics that the ductwork run through. Your attic has insulation on the floor which can act like a sponge for allergens, grass clippings, and other particulates that enter via attic vents carried by the wind. All of these contaminates land in the insulation becoming trapped in your attic floor and can infiltrate into the home and your lungs via can lights, leaking ductwork, or other plumbing and electrical penetrations. In other words, your attic is part of the outside and this can create an indoor environment that is 5 to 100Xs more polluted than outside! In these hyper allergenic or highly asthmatic homes the best solution is to suck out all the old insulation, seal the attic floor and duct work and then blow back in new insulation. We call this our OIAQ Package- Optimal Indoor Air Quality Package.
I bought a UV for my system and saw No Improvement...
I've heard some folks say they bought UV for their AC system and never noticed any difference. Odds are the problem may lay with the home and how much it leaks attic air into the air-conditioned space. At Heat and Air Gurus, we pride ourselves on having knowledge in areas outside of HVAC, in areas that are referred to as "Building science" or "Home Performance" which enables us to address these unfortunate situations. These have been some of the most rewarding IAQ services I have been able to provide for people. These instances where I am not just improving IAQ, but I have actually changed people's quality of life are what drives and motivates me! Comments like "My wife is getting the best sleep in years!" and "My son rarely has to get breathing treatments now" have inspired me to promote these services more and more over the years. This is why I fight the 145+ degree attic temperatures and deal with the shenanigans that come with being a business owner-- Nothing is more rewarding than knowing doctors could not help these people, but an HVAC Guy could! If you are suffering in your home let us, come out for IAQ Testing! Call 469-797-1269 today!
UV Light in HVAC System vs. Stand-Alone Air Purifier
You might be wondering how a UV light in your HVAC system compares to a stand-alone air purifier. Both have their advantages, but they serve different purposes.
UV Light in HVAC System:
Whole-Home Coverage: A UV light installed in your HVAC system treats all the air that passes through your ducts, providing whole-home air purification. This is a big advantage over stand-alone units, which typically only treat the air in a single room.
Pro tip: Compare the size of the fan in a stand-alone unit VS the size of the fan in the HVAC system. Use approximately 400 CFM per ton for your HVAC system. Examples: 5 ton unit = 2000 CFM, 4 ton unit = 1600 CFM, and 3 ton = 1200 CFM. The more CFM, or cubic feet per minute the fan can move the better its ability to clean the air.
Continuous Operation: UV lights work constantly whenever your HVAC system is running, ensuring that your air is continuously being treated.
Maintenance-Free Operation: After installation, UV lights require very little attention beyond bulb replacement every few years. There’s no need to move units from room to room or change filters frequently.
Stand-Alone Air Purifier:
Portable: Stand-alone air purifiers can be moved from room to room, allowing you to target specific areas of your home that may need extra attention.
More Affordable Initial Cost: Typically, stand-alone units are less expensive upfront compared to installing a UV light system in your HVAC.
Additional Filtration: Many stand-alone air purifiers use HEPA filters to capture particles, which can be more effective at removing larger particles like dust. I have seen some stand-alone units that also use UV in addition to HEPA filters. Although these are somewhat effective, the intensity of the UV is much lower on these in comparison to a whole home Reme or APCO UV installed in HVAC.
Which Is Better? It depends on your needs. If you’re looking for whole-home air purification and don’t want the hassle of moving a unit from room to room, a UV light in your HVAC system is the better option. However, if you’re on a tight budget or only need to treat a specific area, a stand-alone air purifier could be a good solution.
How to Get the Most Out of Your UV Air Conditioning System
If you decide to invest in a UV light for your AC system, here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of it:
Schedule Regular Maintenance: Just like any part of your HVAC system, your UV light system needs regular maintenance to stay effective. Schedule annual check-ups with Heat and Air Gurus to ensure your UV lights are working properly and replace bulbs when necessary. If you are not a believer in HVAC maintenance plans be sure to schedule a reminder in your phone every 2-3 years to replace the bulb.
Keep Your HVAC System Clean: UV lights work best when paired with a clean HVAC system. Make sure your air ducts and filters are regularly cleaned and replaced to keep your system running efficiently.
Monitor Air Quality: Pay attention to how your home’s air quality improves after installing a UV light system. If you notice fewer allergy symptoms, less dust buildup, or improved smells, you’ll know the system is working as intended. Some thermostats these days have built in IAQ monitors. Ecobee has one and Alexa also makes a IAQ monitoring device as well.
Combine with Other Air Quality Solutions: For the best results, consider combining your UV light system with other air quality solutions, such as high-efficiency air filters or a dehumidifier. This will help ensure your home’s air is as clean and comfortable as possible.
Conclusion: Is UV Air Conditioning Right for You?
In conclusion, UV air conditioning offers a powerful solution for improving your home’s indoor air quality. By installing a UV light system in your HVAC unit, you can reduce airborne contaminants, eliminate odors, and keep your system running efficiently. While there are some upfront costs and maintenance requirements, the benefits of cleaner, healthier air often make it a worthwhile investment.
At Heat and Air Gurus, we believe in providing our customers with the best solutions for their home comfort needs. If you’re interested in learning more about UV air conditioning or want to discuss whether a UV light system is right for your home, we’re here to help. We offer IAQ Testing for $49. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and let’s work together to make your home a healthier place to live.
W & P by Luke Barbosa
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