Frequently Asked Questions

Residential Fresh-Aire UV products are installed by licensed HVAC contractors. Pricing is set by the contractor and is determined by the type of product and the difficulty of the installation. If you need help finding an HVAC service contractor in your area please contact us for assistance. CONTACT PAGE

Where can I purchase a replacement lamp (bulb) for my system?

Because UVC light is dangerous to skin and eyes lamp replacements are provided by HVAC service technicians, usually at the same time as routine air system maintenance. If you need help finding an HVAC service contractor in your area please contact us for assistance. CONTACT PAGE

What type of warranty comes with these products?

All of our products come with a lifetime warranty on all parts (except lamps) with the exception of Mini UV which comes with a 1 year warranty. Lamps come with a 1 or 2 year warranty.

Why does UV light kill germs?

UV-C light (the frequency used in germicidal UV lights) kills germs by disrupting their DNA which prevents them from reproducing, effectively killing them. In nature this frequency of light is filtered out by the Earth's atmosphere so microbes have no defense against it.

Is UV light safe for children and pets?

When a UV light system is installed in a central air system the germ killing effect takes place inside the air system and is limited to that area. There is no danger to any living thing in the home except microbes that are carried by the air into the central air system.

Is it OK to look at the UV light?

Never look at the UV light when it is lit. UV-C light can give your eyes a painful "sunburn". Unplug or disconnect the unit to work on it.

Our air system isn't running so why is the UV light still on?
Is the light on 24 hours a day or only when the blower is on?
Does the UV light stay on when I run my heater?

These products are intended to be on 24 hours a day. Mold growth doesn't stop when the blower is off, and cycling the UV light on and off would shorten life of the UV lamp.

How can we purify the air when the AC or heater isn't on?
If neither my furnace nor AC is running does this still purify the air?

Running the air system in "fan" mode will cycle air through the home without turning on the AC or heater. Many programmable thermostats have a setting for this as well.

Can TUVL-100 bulb be replaced with TUVL-200 bulb?
Can I upgrade my Blue-Tube UV with a different lamp?

Yes! All Blue-Tube and Fresh-Aire UV AHU lamps are interchangeable. When it's time to replace your UV lamp you have 4 options to select from: 1 Year, 2 Year, 1 Year Odor Control, and 2 Year Odor Control.

My '1 Year' UV light still glows after 2 years - do I need to replace it?

Yes, Over time the UV effectiveness of the lamps decreases even though the lamp may still be putting out visible light. '1 Year' and '2 Year' lamp designations refer to effective UV output not when the lamp will burn out.

Will a UV light system kill mold in the walls?

No. UV-C germicidal irradiation can only kill microbes on surfaces that the light shines on directly (surface kill) or that pass by in the air stream (airborne kill).

Is there any difference between the low voltage and high (120/220v) voltage systems as far as efficiency of UV protection?

No. The high and low-voltage power supplies are used to power the same lamps. The UV light intensity of our lamps is ideal to kill germs but not damage the air system interior parts.

During the hot summer months there is a musty smell that comes from our central air system, which of your products is best for that?

Have your HVAC technician take a look at the air system. If there is mold growing on the cooling coils that could be the source of the musty smell. One of our standard UV light systems like Blue-Tube UV or Fresh-Aire UV Series 1 will kill the mold and eliminate the smell. For odors in general consider our APCO In-Duct Air Purifier. APCO is specifically designed to fight volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are the source of most household and chemical odors.

Can UV light damage materials inside the air system?
What is the intensity of the Blue-Tube UV light?

TUVL-100 and 200 lamps are rated at 57 μW/cm2 @ 1 Meter. This offers the ideal balance of germicidal effectiveness without damaging UV sensitive materials inside the air system.

Is UV light radioactive? Will radiation spread into my home?

No. All light is a type of radiation but not the dangerous kind. UV light kills germs by giving them an intense “sunburn” and it only affects things it shines on directly. Nothing spreads into the home except clean air.

Can you touch the lamps?

Never look directly at, touch, or expose skin close to the UV-C light. Unlike most other manufacturers lamps Fresh-Aire UV lamps can be handled when not lit. This is because they are made using high-quality hard quartz not the soft quartz found in inexpensive imports (handling soft quartz lamps may cause them to fail).

Is it OK to look at the UV light with sunglasses?

No. Although UV-C light will not pass through plastic or ordinary glass there is still the risk to exposed skin. Always turn off the light or disconnect power to service the system.

Can UV light reduce radon in your home?

No. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can seep into your home from the ground below. It is not the product of any volatile organic compound (VOC) or biological contaminant so UVC light has no effect on it.

Does UV light kill kennel cough germs?

UVC light will sterilize nearly all microbes with very few exceptions. However, it only affects surfaces that it shines on directly or air that passes through it. Kennel cough is an airborne disease so UVC would fight its spread through the air system but would have no effect on its spread by dog to dog contact.

Is there a noticeable smell when the UV light is on?

Our standard UVC lights make no noticeable odor but our odor control lamps do have a slight distinctive smell. The APCO system is most effective at removing all odors from the home.

Ask your own question

To ask a specific question for Fresh-Aire UV please use our Contact Page
Example: "Can you help me find a contractor that sells your products in the Atlanta area?"
A representative of Fresh-Aire UV will contact you and provide an answer.

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Example: "Will UV light harm our pets?"
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