COVID-19, UV-C light and Coil Coatings: A New Era in Commercial HVAC.

As an HVAC professional, you're likely familiar with the standard practice of using protective coatings to prevent coil corrosion. However, the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a new challenge for this long-standing industry norm.

With businesses closing and then gradually reopening, many have upgraded their HVAC systems to enhance indoor air quality and reduce the spread of airborne pathogens. One such upgrade involves the use of UV-C light, a type of ultraviolet radiation that has been shown to effectively neutralize the outer structure of viruses like SARS-CoV, the virus responsible for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003.

Although SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 are different, the success of UV-C light against SARS-CoV has led engineers to explore its potential against the current global health crisis. However, the effectiveness of UV-C specifically on SARS-CoV-2 remains unclear due to limited published research on the required wavelength, dose, and exposure duration needed to inactivate the virus.

While UV-C light offers promising benefits for air purification, it also poses a risk to traditional coil coatings. These coatings, designed to protect coils from environmental and galvanic corrosion, can degrade when exposed to UV-C radiation. This presents a growing concern for HVAC professionals who rely on durable, long-lasting coatings to maintain system efficiency and longevity.

Most standard corrosion testing methods, such as ASTM B-117 and ISO 12944-9, do not account for UV-C exposure. The ISO 12944-9 test includes UV-A light but not UV-C, while ASTM B-117 doesn't test for any UV exposure at all. As a result, many existing coatings may not be suitable for environments where UV-C is used.

Enter Heresite® – a leader in developing high-performance coil coatings. Heresite has taken a proactive approach by testing its P-413 coating under UV-C conditions. In collaboration with Sanuvox Technologies, they conducted a 1,500-hour UV-C exposure test on P-413 coated panels. The results were impressive: both P-413 and P-413 + UC-5509 panels retained their protective properties, showing only minor fading without loss of adhesion or flexibility.

Nationwide Coils has partnered with Heresite for over 16 years, relying on their innovative and durable coatings to produce high-quality custom and OEM replacement coils. Their commitment to testing and innovation continues to reinforce our confidence in their products, which consistently outperform industry standards.

If your HVAC system is incorporating UV-C technology to improve air quality, it's essential to protect your coils with a coating that can withstand UV-C exposure as well as other forms of corrosion. Heresite’s P-413 is a proven solution that delivers reliable performance in even the harshest conditions.

Get a coil quote now.

To review Heresite’s full P-413 test results, click here.