Most manufacturers recommend that you replace your UV lamp every 9,000 hours or approximately every 12 months. An annual replacement program is also recommended for those with allergies and other respiratory conditions. To achieve maximum efficiency, the replacement and maintenance requirements of UV lamps are more stringent than those of a standard bulb. While a UV lamp will continue to generate light for as long as a standard fluorescent bulb, its germicidal effectiveness begins to decline after about 9000 hours, equivalent to an average year of use.
Therefore, it is recommended to change the lamp every year, especially in the case of lamps installed in an airflow. The lamps installed in the evaporator coil usually operate for up to two years. The frequency of replacement of the UV water filter lamp depends on several factors, such as the specific UV system you use, the quality of the lamp, the intensity of use and the manufacturer's recommendations. In general, UV lamps for water disinfection have a lifespan of between 9 and 12 months of continuous operation.
Swapping out your UV lamp every 9-12 months is the most important part of keeping your UV water filter system running smoothly. Many UV water sterilizers have a control panel or display that shows a countdown timer that indicates how much life is left in the UV lamp. If you install a water softener before the UV system, you can prevent scale buildup on the quartz sleeve and avoid having to replace it multiple times a year.
Just as bacteria and organisms can hide behind sediment particles, they can go undetected during the disinfection process if glass is too opaque for UV light to pass through.
Over time, the dose of UV light will decrease, possibly to the minimum dose needed to effectively kill bacteria.To protect your UV system from electrical surges, it is recommended that you do not plug any high-powered appliances into the same circuit that supplies power to the UV system. Additionally, UV systems should not be installed directly in PVC pipes; they need at least 12 inches of steel or copper piping before PVC pipes so that UV light waves can dissipate. Many UV systems come with light intensity meters or sensors that measure how much UV light is penetrating through the glass cover and water. Keep in mind that the light from a UV lamp decreases over time, so it's important to stick to your lamp replacement schedule.
Most UV systems are equipped with an alarm that will sound when either the UV lamp stops emitting germicidal rays or when water stops being disinfected. A UV lamp is essential for any UV sterilizer system and must be properly maintained to ensure that harmful viruses and bacteria don't make their way into your water supply. Lower transmittance levels indicate higher levels of impurities in the water which could reduce the amount of UV dose. This buildup can cloud up the sleeve and reduce how much light reaches the water, allowing microorganisms to pass through without being killed or deactivated.
Furthermore, if you don't replace your lamp on time, your system's ballast will have to work harder and harder in order to maintain the intensity of ultraviolet wavelength.
