UV Resources Hornet: Ultraviolet Air Purifier With Many Applications

Article Excerpt:

“The UV Resources Hornet is a residential ultraviolet (UV) lamp that emits shortwave, or germicidal ‘C’-type wavelength to attack and break down microorganisms. UV-C has been utilized for disinfection and medical sanitation since as early as the 1900s. Now UV-C is used around the world in a variety of applications including food, water and air purification.

UV-C offers the benefits of reduced allergies, colds and flu in the home as well as noticeable odor reduction, better air conditioning efficiency, system mold reduction, lower microbial counts, and low operating costs. Who wouldn’t jump on board for all of that? (I would… I have one in my house…)

The UV Resources ‘Hornet’ simplified design allows it to be used in several applications including the following:

* Residential systems
* Vertical or horizontal fan coil units
* PTACs, duct runs, etc.

The 20-watt lamp is a low mercury type, used to deliver a “targeted” dose of UV-C light to any area where both mold and bacteria could be growing in your air distribution system.

What’s in the box?

* 24V Hornet™ Fixturing
* 17” Low Mercury Lamp
* Special Mounting Ring
* 24V Adapter (120-24V) with 6’ cord
* Installation Kit
* Soft Duct Mounting Plate
* Awesome sticker warning people that you have a UV light in your furnace
* Safe plastic view window (though if you have any gaps in your furnace or ductwork you’ll be able to see the light just fine before you quickly seal those up.)

Installation is easy enough that anyone who’s mechanically inclined enough to own a drill can do it. As for the wiring, some schools of thought are that you want it wired to your furnace to only operate when it does. I’m with the others that say I want it on all the time (except when I need to open the unit, so it could be wired to the unit disconnect). But for those that are wary of electrical work, as long as you have an outlet within close proximity to their furnace, the Hornet comes with a 24V adapter, so you just plug it in.

The unit comes with a one-year warranty and has one of the lowest costs of ownership for residential UV products. The 17” lamp operates at 20-watts, so the overall power consumption would be approximately 180 kWh/yr ($16.20/yr at $0.09/kWh). The 12” lamp operates at 16-watts, or 144 kWh/yr ($12.96/yr). The replacement cost for the lamps (which should be changed annually) is around $40 for the 17” lamp and $21 for the 12” lamp, shipped from the manufacturer.

Assuming 8,760 hours of operation, 24/7 (my favorite, as I mentioned before), the 17” lamp would cost about $1.35/month and the 12” lamp would cost $1.08/month. You can calculate your usage – if you don’t decide to go the 24/7 route – by using $0.0062 per hour (17”) and $0.0038 per hour (12”).

But just remember that 24/7; 365 days/year is the most it’ll cost to operate. To me, the benefits for UV-C far outweigh the cost.”