When UV Needs TLC

Life Expectancies

The majority of UV lamps are guaranteed to last 1,000 hours, and many will keep ticking for 1,500 hours. Reflectors should stay functional for two years.

With these average life expectancies in mind, the foremost order of business is establishing a solid replacement inventory, emphasizes David Rose, UV product manager, Ernst W. Dorn Co. And it doesn't have to be expensive. Back-up lamps typically run $200 to $400, he says, and reflector linings, which only run $80, are often the right prescription for irradiator upgrades. An entire reflector can cost up to $1,000.