F & R AIR CONDITIONING | UV Lights & Air Purifiers

Cleaner Air Starts Inside Your HVAC System

Your air conditioner’s evaporator coil is a cold, wet surface sitting inside a dark air handler. In South Louisiana’s humidity, it’s also one of the most hospitable environments for mold growth in your entire home. Every time your system runs, air passes over that coil and carries whatever’s growing on it into every room of your house.

UV germicidal lights and whole-home air purifiers are designed to stop that cycle. They install inside your HVAC system and work continuously to kill biological contaminants before they reach your living space.

F & R Air Conditioning has been helping Acadiana families breathe cleaner air since 1956. We install, maintain, and replace UV lights and air purification systems as part of our complete indoor air quality services.

UV Germicidal Lights

UV-C light, the same technology used in hospitals and water treatment facilities, destroys the DNA of mold, bacteria, and viruses on contact. The EPA recommends addressing biological contaminants as part of any serious indoor air quality approach. When installed inside your air handler, a UV light provides continuous protection at the source of contamination.

Coil-mounted UV lights: installed to shine directly on the evaporator coil surface, these lights run 24/7 to prevent mold and biofilm from ever establishing on the coil. This is the most common and most effective UV application for residential HVAC. In South Louisiana, where coils stay wet for months at a time, this is particularly valuable.

Air-stream UV lights. Positioned in the return air duct or air handler to treat air as it passes through the system. These lights target airborne mold spores, bacteria, and viruses in the moving air stream. Because exposure time is limited to the moment air passes the bulb, these require higher-intensity lamps to be effective.

Whole-Home Air Purification Systems

Beyond UV, several air purification technologies can be integrated into your HVAC system:

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO): uses UV light with a catalyst to produce oxidizers that neutralize odors, VOCs, and biological contaminants throughout your home. These systems treat the air in your living space, not just the air passing through the duct system.
Needlepoint bipolar ionization, generates ions that attach to airborne particles, causing them to clump together so your filter can capture them more effectively. Also reduces static electricity and odors.
Electronic air cleaners. Use an electrostatic charge to capture particles as small as 0.1 microns — far smaller than what a standard filter can catch. These are washable and reusable, reducing long-term filter costs.

For most Acadiana homes, we recommend starting with a coil-mounted UV germicidal light. It addresses the most common and most impactful problem (mold growth on the evaporator coil) at a reasonable cost. From there, additional technologies can be layered based on specific concerns:

Allergies or respiratory conditions → Add a media filter or electronic air cleaner
Odor concerns → Consider PCO technology
General wellness and protection → Combine UV with improved filtration
Severe mold history → UV light plus whole-home dehumidification to control the root cause

Installation and Maintenance

UV lights and air purifiers install inside your existing HVAC system, no additional ductwork or major modifications required. Most installations take 1 to 2 hours.

Ongoing maintenance is minimal:

UV bulbs: replace annually (we can do this during your regular maintenance plan visit)
Electronic air cleaners: wash the collection cells every 1 to 3 months
PCO systems: replace the catalyst cell every 2 to 3 years

Breathe Easier

F & R has been Acadiana’s trusted HVAC company for nearly seventy years. If you’re concerned about mold, allergens, odors, or general air quality in your home, contact us for an evaluation. We’ll assess your current system, discuss your concerns, and recommend the right solution — not the most expensive one. We currently offer 20% off UV lights and 15% off IAQ products for qualified installations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do UV lights really work?

Yes. UV-C germicidal lights are proven to kill mold, bacteria, and viruses on surfaces and in the air stream. The effectiveness depends on the UV intensity, exposure time, and proper placement. We install commercial-grade units positioned to maximize exposure inside your air handler.

What's the difference between a UV light and an air purifier?

A UV light kills biological contaminants (mold, bacteria, viruses) using ultraviolet radiation. An air purifier can refer to different technologies, some use UV, some use ionization, some use photocatalytic oxidation, and some use filtration. We'll recommend the right technology based on what you're trying to address.

Will a UV light eliminate mold in my ductwork?

A UV light installed in the air handler prevents mold growth on the evaporator coil and in the immediate vicinity. It doesn't reach mold inside the duct runs. If you have existing mold in your ducts, you'll need professional duct cleaning first, then UV to prevent regrowth.

How often do UV bulbs need to be replaced?

Most UV-C bulbs maintain effective germicidal output for about 12 months. After that, they still produce visible light but lose the intensity needed to kill mold and bacteria. We recommend annual replacement, which can be done during a regular maintenance visit.

Is a UV light worth it if I already have a good air filter?

They address different problems. A good filter captures particles: dust, pollen, pet dander. A UV light kills biological organisms: mold, bacteria, viruses. The evaporator coil is a perfect breeding ground for mold in South Louisiana's humidity, and no filter prevents that. The two technologies complement each other.

UV Lights & Air Purifiers