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

If you're an HVAC professional, you know that the standard practice for protecting coils against corrosion has long been the use of protective coatings. However, with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, this traditional method has come under new scrutiny.

As businesses closed and then carefully prepared to reopen, many invested in upgrading their HVAC systems to reduce the spread of airborne viruses and improve indoor air quality. One common upgrade was the integration of UV-C light — a type of ultraviolet radiation known for its ability to neutralize pathogens by breaking down their outer structures.

While UV-C light has shown promise in combating viruses like SARS-CoV (the virus responsible for the 2003 SARS outbreak), its effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 (the virus behind the current global pandemic) is still being studied. There’s limited data on the exact wavelengths, doses, and exposure times needed to fully inactivate the virus.

A New Challenge in HVAC Systems

Despite its benefits, UV-C light poses a unique challenge for commercial HVAC systems. While it doesn’t affect the metal components of coils, it can degrade the protective coatings designed to prevent corrosion. This is especially concerning as more facilities begin to incorporate UV-C into their ventilation systems.

Unfortunately, most industry-standard tests for evaluating coating performance — such as ASTM B-117 and ISO 12944-9 — don’t account for UV-C exposure. The ISO 12944-9 test includes UV-A light, not UV-C, and ASTM B-117 doesn’t test for any UV light at all. This leaves a gap in understanding how coatings perform under real-world conditions involving UV-C.

Introducing Heresite®

In response to this growing concern, Heresite, a leader in protective coil coatings, has taken a proactive approach. They developed and tested their P-413 coating specifically to withstand UV-C exposure. As one of the first companies to test HVAC coatings against extreme environmental conditions, Heresite continues to set the standard in innovation and durability.

In collaboration with Sanuvox Technologies, Heresite conducted a rigorous test exposing P-413 coated panels to 1,500 hours of UV-C light. The results were promising: both the P-413 and P-413 + UC-5509 panels retained their protective properties without any loss of adhesion or flexibility, though some fading was observed.

A Trusted Partner in Innovation

For over 16 years, Nationwide Coils has relied on Heresite for high-quality, durable coatings that help us produce reliable custom and OEM replacement coils. Our long-standing partnership with them reflects our confidence in their commitment to innovation and performance.

If you're considering integrating UV-C light into your HVAC system, make sure to protect your coils with a coating that's proven to resist UV-C exposure. Heresite’s P-413 is the ideal choice — offering protection against both corrosion and UV degradation.

Get a coil quote now.

To view the full test results for Heresite’s P-413, click here.