Hospitals face a unique challenge: balancing patient safety, infection control, and operating efficiency within the constraints of tight budgets. While HVAC systems play a critical role in maintaining air quality, they are also one of the largest energy consumers in any healthcare facility. That’s why many hospitals have turned to UV-C systems—especially for coil cleaning—to reduce energy demand and improve system performance.
But as new technologies emerge, a key question arises: should facilities stop at coil cleaning, or take advantage of UV-C systems that also deliver airborne pathogen control and measurable ROI?
HS Ultra’s advanced UV retrofit solutions help hospitals do both—without the excessive capital costs traditionally associated with full-scale upgrades.
Coil Cleaning UV-C: The Baseline for ROI and Efficiency
When HVAC coils become coated with dust, dirt, and biofilm, system performance deteriorates rapidly. Airflow is restricted, heat transfer efficiency drops, and chillers and fans must work harder to maintain target temperatures. This drives up both energy use and maintenance costs, all while degrading indoor air quality.
Installing UV-C lamps focused on coil cleaning helps eliminate these issues by:
- Preventing biofilm and microbial buildup on coil surfaces.
- Preserving heat exchange efficiency.
- Reducing fan and chiller energy demand.
- Extending coil and filter life.
These systems have long been proven to pay for themselves through energy savings alone.
However, traditional coil-cleaning UV installs often come with high upfront costs due to unnecessary overbuilding and complex installation methods. That’s where HS Ultra’s approach stands apart.
The HS Ultra Advantage: 20–30% Lower CAPEX
Unlike typical HVAC contractors who rely on multiple third-party components, HS Ultra sources equipment directly from the factory and employs a streamlined installation model. This cuts out costly markups and labor inefficiencies.
The result: coil-only UV retrofits delivered at 20–30% lower capital expenditure—without compromising performance.
Hospitals can realize immediate efficiency gains while staying within budget. The system design is straightforward, durable, and adaptable to any existing HVAC layout.
This affordability opens the door for more facilities—especially older buildings or those in phased upgrade programs—to take the first step toward UV-C implementation.
Going Beyond the Basics: Dual-Layer UV-C Strategy
While coil cleaning is a strong foundation, many hospitals are now seeking dual-purpose UV systems that deliver energy savings and pathogen control simultaneously.
HS Ultra’s proprietary dual UV strategy introduces a smarter, two-tier approach:
1. Coil Surface Disinfection for Energy Savings
UV-C lamps installed near coils continuously destroy microorganisms that cause fouling and biofilm buildup. Clean coils maintain optimal heat exchange, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance frequency.
2. Airborne Pathogen Reduction Across the Air Stream
Strategically positioned lamps are added across the air-handling unit or ductwork to neutralize airborne bacteria, viruses, and spores as air passes through. This creates an additional layer of protection for patients, visitors, and staff—particularly in critical areas such as surgical suites, ICUs, and isolation zones.
Together, this two-for-one solution delivers a measurable return on investment while supporting infection control programs and sustainability goals.
The Science of Placement: Why Precision Matters
Not all UV-C installations deliver the same results. Misplaced, undersized, or excessive lamps can waste energy and fail to achieve meaningful disinfection or efficiency gains.
HS Ultra’s factory-level engineering and data-driven placement models ensure every installation is optimized for performance and ROI.
Our process includes:
- Customized lamp selection and wattage tailored to each air-handling unit.
- Precision placement across coil surfaces and airflow zones for maximum UV exposure.
- Avoidance of overbuilds—hospitals pay only for what works, not for oversized specs that inflate project costs.
- Performance validation and ROI modeling to confirm system effectiveness.
By combining laboratory-tested configurations with site-specific engineering, HS Ultra ensures facilities achieve both disinfection and efficiency with every install.
Energy Savings That Pay Back
Hospitals adopting HS Ultra’s UV-C solutions consistently report measurable reductions in HVAC energy use. With clean coils and optimized airflow, fan power and chiller loads decrease—often by 10–25%, depending on system design and operating conditions.
Lower energy use translates to:
- Reduced utility bills.
- Extended HVAC component lifespan.
- Less strain on facility infrastructure.
And because HS Ultra’s retrofits cost 20–30% less upfront, the payback period is significantly faster than competing systems.
When paired with the added benefit of airborne pathogen reduction, the long-term ROI compounds further—delivering savings that extend beyond energy and maintenance.
Supporting Infection Control and IAQ Goals
In today’s healthcare environment, improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is as essential as maintaining energy efficiency. The CDC and ASHRAE have both highlighted the role of airborne transmission in hospital-acquired infections, especially in confined or high-risk areas.
UV-C provides a proven, chemical-free solution for reducing microbial load in recirculated air. HS Ultra’s dual UV approach enables hospitals to target both coil and air-stream pathogens, helping maintain compliance with air hygiene standards and infection prevention initiatives.
Cleaner air also contributes to improved comfort, reduced odors, and a more stable operating environment for sensitive equipment.
Designed for Flexibility and Scalability
Every hospital has different priorities and budgets. HS Ultra’s UV retrofit solutions are built to meet facilities where they are—and grow with them as needs evolve.
Hospitals can start small with a coil-cleaning-only installation, reaping immediate energy savings, and later expand to full dual-layer airborne pathogen control when budgets allow.
This modular scalability ensures that every investment builds toward a smarter, safer, and more efficient HVAC system—without the need for premature capital commitments.
Why Hospitals Choose HS Ultra
HS Ultra’s reputation in healthcare HVAC retrofits is built on three pillars:
- Factory-Direct Cost Advantage – No middlemen or inflated contractor pricing. Hospitals save up to 30% on capital expenses.
- Engineering Precision – Proprietary modeling ensures correct lamp type, placement, and intensity for each air-handling unit.
- ROI-Driven Results – Each project includes a customized ROI model showing projected payback, energy savings, and IAQ improvement metrics.
By focusing on smart design instead of overdesign, HS Ultra ensures hospitals spend less while achieving more.
The Future of Hospital HVAC Efficiency
As healthcare systems face growing energy mandates and IAQ expectations, UV-C retrofits are becoming a cornerstone of sustainable facility management.
The next generation of UV-C systems will continue to merge efficiency with disinfection, helping hospitals meet carbon reduction goals while improving patient safety.
HS Ultra’s approach—combining precision engineering, flexible adoption models, and verified performance—positions healthcare facilities to lead this transition confidently.
Ready to Explore ROI for Your Facility?
Whether your goal is cutting HVAC energy costs, reducing chemical maintenance, or improving indoor air quality, HS Ultra has a UV-C solution tailored for your system.
Our team designs and validates each project to ensure maximum return on investment, from coil cleaning-only retrofits to full dual-pathogen control systems.
