A UV system utilizes the emission of ultraviolet light from a UV lamp on your water. The wave intensity of the UV water purifier is strong enough to render microbes sterile and eventually cause their death. Like any other water purifying system, You will need to install a UV water filter properly to get the best out of it.
Installing a UV filter correctly and with the right plumbing tools will lessen the risk of drinking contaminated tap water. Proper maintenance will also ensure it lasts longer.
Tools You Need to Install a UV Water Filter
Before you install a UV filter, you’ll need the following tools:
- A UV water purifier coupled with a sediment filter (5-micron) for thorough water treatment
- Plumbing tools such as a pair of shut-off valves, pipe, elbows, connector fittings, solid-core solder, propane torch, hose bib, Teflon tape, wrenches, pipe cutter, paste flux, pipe wrench, and emery cloth
- Electrical tools such as electrical wire, strippers, wire cutters, electrical box, ground fault circuit interruption
- Safety tools such as gloves and safety glasses
- Plywood
- Screwdrivers
- Ruler
Factors to Consider Before Installation
Flow Rate
Get an ultraviolet water system with a maximum flow rate that can work for your home. This will depend on sub-factors such as the size of the main water lines and the water pressure.
Other sub-factors include the nature and quantity of water outlets or water-using appliances in your home. In general terms, a household with a ¾-inch water line will achieve a flow rate of about seven GPM (gallons per minute). This is for an average household. Bigger homes with a 1-inch water line may output a flow rate of up to 15 GPM.
Determine the Ideal Disinfection Level
The configuration of UV dose determines UV disinfection. This means the extent of exposure of a water supply to UV light. UV disinfection has to do with time and light intensity. The higher the UV light intensity and the greater the UV lamp output, the cleaner the water.
Likewise, the bigger and more optimized the UV chamber is, the more durable the exposure time will be, considering there’s a consistent flow rate. mJ/cm2 (milliJoules per square centimeter) is the unit used to measure UV dose.
UV equipment installers usually choose any of the following target dose levels:
- 16 mJ/cm2 for homes using municipal water. This dose eliminates virtually 100% of disease-causing pathogens such as bacteria.
- 30 mJ/cm2 for industrial usage
- 40 mJ/cm2 for purifying water from sources such as rivers, lakes, and wells. 40 mJ/cm2 is the NSF and Environmental Protection Agency standard for those specific water bodies. This UV dose can eliminate up to 99.9% of microbes that are way harder to get rid of than most cysts and bacteria.
Install Your UV Filter Step-by-Step
Step 1: Connect the plywood to the concrete to secure all the components needed for installing the water system. Install a ground fault circuit interruption on the plywood to facilitate power supply to the UV unit.
Step 2: Connect the bracket clamp for the UV chamber to the backing board. Slide the UV filter housing into the bracket and make the clamp taut enough to hold the chamber properly.
Step 3: Connect the threaded connectors to the UV housing, then connect the power supply to the backing board. Position it in a way that won’t be in the way of the piping.
Step 4: Connect the system housing to the plywood and the threaded connectors to the UV unit.
Step 5: Connect one of the valves to the entry end of the filter, then a hose bib and another valve to the exit end of the filter. These valves will help you isolate the system, and the hose bib will enable you to take samples of your water.
Step 6: Measure the copper plumbing you need, fit in all the pipes while they are dry, then solder the pipe connections or joints. Do as much of the piping as can be done before you break into the main water line.
Step 7: Place the ultraviolet sensor and lamp into the housing, then attach the lamp harness to the UV light. Connect the plug to a wall socket and switch it on.
Step 8: If you want to carry out disinfection of the water lines, remove the filter and fill the housing with bleach. Then restore the housing and let water flow to all the faucets or outlets till you smell bleach. Let the bleach settle for at least a couple of hours, then flush it out and restore the filter.
Your UV system is successfully installed 🙂
