Can UV Lights Really Eliminate Furnace Smells?

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about dirty furnaces is the smell that often comes along with them. Many people have been turning to UV lights to help eliminate potentially harmful organic pollutants and the odor they can spread throughout your home.

Where Furnace Smells Originate

When we think of harmful pollutants like bacteria and mold, our primary concern is usually the danger they pose to our health, especially in those who suffer from respiratory issues, such as allergies and asthma. What you may not realize is that the accumulation of these elements are usually the source of musty odors in your furnace. As air is drawn through your ductwork and redistributed throughout your home, these smells can quickly fill your entire residence if left unchecked.

How UV Lights Eliminate Odors

Put simply, these high-intensity lights eliminate odors by reducing the amount of organic pollutants found in your home. Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which these pollutants have no defense against, disrupts their DNA and interferes with reproduction. This reduction can be done by either treating the air in your home or your HVAC system's components. When the pollutants are gone, so are the odors that accompany them.

Professional Installation is Key

Installing UV lights is not something you should attempt yourself. Installation must be done by a professional HVAC technician, who will typically accomplish the task one of two ways. The first technique is to place the lights in an area where the air being pulled through your ductwork will be treated before being redistributed to other areas of your home. The second technique is to install the lights in such a way that your problem HVAC components are bathed in ultraviolet radiation as needed.

For more expert advice on UV lights, or if you have any other questions related to home comfort, please don't hesitate to contact the friendly professionals at Air Assurance. We've been serving the needs of Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas since 1985.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in thearea about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Credit/Copyright Attribution: “art_of_sun/Shutterstock”

That Burning Furnace Smell Could Mean Trouble

When you first start your furnace for the season, you may be aware of a burning smell. Of course, if that furnace smell continues it could mean trouble. It's important to know how a furnace works and what different smells could mean. This will ensure that everyone is safe throughout the winter months and even provide energy savings because the furnace is working properly. Dust the furnace off and clean the filter before starting it and the initial burning smell should be reduced. The smell should dissipate within an hour. If it doesn't, something else may be going on. Here are a few reasons for a burning furnace smell and how to address the issues:

• Dirty or clogged filter: Change or clean the filter. This is a simple fix that's easy to rule out as the culprit.

• Dusty or dirty ducts: Not many people think about duct cleaning, but a persistent burning smell could indicate ducts that need to be cleaned. Call a professional and schedule a cleaning.

• Dirty burners: The burners in the furnace need to be cleaned periodically. If dust and debris build up, a burning or smoky smell can occur. These are easy enough to clean, but professionals also provide the service for those who can't or don't want to do it themselves.

• Motor overheating: Some motors need to be lubricated regularly. In other cases, the motor just might be old. Either way, a bad motor could be a reason for a burning furnace smell and needs to be addressed by a professional HVAC contractor.

These are just a few of the causes of burning smells in a furnace. If the filter and furnace are clean and otherwise working but the burning smell lingers, it's always best to call an HVAC contractor and have them resolve the issue to keep everyone safe and keep the furnace in good working order.To learn more about furnace operation and care or to schedule your own furnace maintenance and repair, contact Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning & Geothermal. They have been serving the Tulsa area for 27 years with HVAC service, installation and repair.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  Image courtesy of Shutterstock