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How Often Should You Change Your UV Water Filter Bulbs?

When dealing with an ultraviolet water filtration system, you’ll also need to deal with UV lamp replacement parts from time to time.


Thing is, while a UV water filter is far easier to maintain than other types of filters, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to completely forget maintenance forever.


You’ll still need to change the light bulb and the quartz sleeve in which the UV lamp is stored. First, let’s take a look at the detailed diagram of a UV filter and then determine how to change the bulb when needed. Finally, we will show you an option that’s far easier to change than standard UV lamp replacement parts.


UV Lamp Replacement Parts – The Basics


Let’s take a quick look at how UV water filters work so you can better understand why and when the bulbs need a replacement. Most common UV water filters have six main components:


  • Control unit
  • Inlet
  • Reactor chamber
  • Outlet
  • UV lamp
  • Quartz sleeve


The Reactor Chamber


This is the UV water filter’s component that houses the lamp and quartz sleeve. It got its name because it acts the same way as a nuclear reactor chamber, in the sense that it houses the core (in this case, the UV bulb).


The most common reactor chambers are made out of stainless steel. More premium versions are made out of carbon fiber. These come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate certain types of UV bulbs. Furthermore, each filter’s reactor chamber uses different types of caps, O-rings, and welds to achieve a secure locking mechanism.


The UV Lamp


In essence, all UV lamps function on the same basic principle. They emit UV-C rays, which represents the wavelength of UV light that’s perfect for killing microorganisms.


All UV lamps also contain a tiny amount of mercury to help them circulate said rays throughout the entire bulb. But you don’t need to worry because they are tightly secure so none of this toxic substance can flow outside. And, as you can imagine, all UV lamps are recyclable, much like fluorescent light bulbs.


ultraviolet water filter bulb 


The three main types of UV light bulbs are as follows:


  • Low-pressure standard UV bulbs: for lower water flow rates, such as the ones in residential homes. They’re generally less expensive to replace.
  • Low-pressure high output UV bulbs: HO lamps are meant for higher flow rates, typically in commercial environments. However, some homes that have higher GPG rates also use these.
  • Low-pressure amalgam bulbs: these lamps use mercury amalgam mix to control vapor pressure. They offer three times more UV-C output than standard lamps.


The Quartz Sleeve


Think of the quartz sleeve like a sort of protective shield. It prevents water from coming in contact with the UV bulb to prevent short circuits and other defects.


More so, the quartz sleeve also acts as a light enhancer. However, because they protect the lamp from water, mineral and pollutants buildup can affect it and it should be changed once per year, at the same time when you change the bulb.


The Controller Unit


This is the brain of the entire unit. It powers the lamp and controls the UV-C output directly. Depending on the type of UV water filter, you might have a indicator that tells you when the UV lamp replacements parts need to be installed.


On units that don’t have such a feature, the basic rule is that you need to change the lamp once per year. Most UV lamps are rated at 10,000 hours, which translates to roughly a year of continuous use. This is how you measure how much time needs to pass until you need to replace the old lamp.


In any case, we recommend using a replacement lamp that’s compatible with the controller unit. This is crucial if you want to get the best performance out of the UV water filter. Using cheaper lamps can cause far more issues than the money you end up saving. It’s not worth the risk, so stick with what your manufacturer recommends.


UV Lamp Replacement Parts and Maintenance


Our of all the components found in a UV water filter, by far the most important are the quartz sleeve and lamp when it comes to maintenance.


As we mentioned earlier, it is important to replace these two components on a yearly basis. Check your manufacturer’s manual for detailed instructions regarding your specific model’s maintenance process.


Now let’s get to the general rules of replacing a UV lamp and quartz sleeve. Keep in mind that the rules below are just general guidelines. We can’t stress enough how important it is to follow the specific quirks that your particular model might have.


First, get the replacement components along with new O-rings, end caps, or whatever else you may need to secure the lamp and sleeve in the control unit.


Easy Steps for Lamp and Sleeve Replacement


  1. Turn off the water supply and close all faucets
  2. Release pressure from the cartridge by pressing the appropriate button on your unit
  3. Unplug the unit before going further
  4. Allow the UV filter to cool down for about 10 minutes
  5. Remove the protective cover and safety caps by squeezing the tabs and making sure that the plug wires stay connected
  6. Put on some latex gloves before removing the lamp and sleeve to avoid damaging the units with sweat and skin oils
  7. Pull out the sleeve and lamp from the chamber
  8. Hold the sleeve bolt while unscrewing the UV lamp
  9. Remove O-rings from the quartz sleeve and unscrew the sleeve bolt
  10. Get the new replacement sleeve or thoroughly clean the old one with vinegar or another mild acid
  11. Insert the new O-rings and tighten the bolt to the quartz sleeve
  12. Now place the new lamp into the sleeve and tighten it securely without putting too much pressure
  13. Insert and secure the new lamp and sleeve assembly into the reactor chamber
  14. Align the connections carefully
  15. Insert the safety cap and tighten the end caps carefully
  16. You are now ready to open the water supply and turn on the faucets
  17. Turn on your UV water filter and check for any leaks
  18. Finally, perform the disinfection procedure shown in your user manual.


Did everything go ok? Good. Now let’s see how you can get even more power from your UV filter.


Introducing the Improved Yarna UV Water Filter


yarna uv water filter components 



The Yarna Water Filter comes with improved UV lamp replacement parts due to its unique design.


What makes it special compared to other UV filters on the market? It’s the SpiralLight technology through which water passes. Unlike other filters, ours has a spiral tube through which water flows so it can get much more exposure time to the UV-C rays compared to a straight tube.


The larger exposure time means that at least 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens will be eliminated effectively.


Further improving on the classic UV water filter design is our carbon fiber encasement. It’s non-corrosive so it will never rust. And it’s 70% lighter than the standard stainless steel tubes, so you’ll have an easier time installing the UV lamp replacement parts.


Frequently Asked Questions


Will aged UV lamps affect a system’s performance?


Yes, the more a UV lamp is used beyond its rated total usage hours, the more its performance drops. Most lamps are rated at around 10,000 hours, roughly a little over a year of use. However, we recommend replacing them yearly to get the most out of your investment.


How can lamp failure be prevented?


The only way to properly prevent lamp failure is by replacing it in due time. Like previously mentioned, the longer you push it beyond its limits, the more the solarization effect will reduce its disinfecting capabilities.


Are UV lamps rated to specific lamp hours for a UV system?


Yes, most lamps are rated at around 10,000 hours. of course, you may find lamps rated at less or more than this specific time frame. Depending on your lamp model, you’ll want to replace it a little while before it reaches said limit. Operating it beyond that limit will only make it weaker. And replacing it with an incompatible one can cause even more damage than the money you end up saving beforehand.


Can ultraviolet water purifiers be used in a cooling tower application?


Yes, UV filtering can effectively treat the water in cooling towers. We recommend that you treat a minimum side stream of 10% of the total circulatory flow. The optimum is 20-25%, however, so keep that in mind.


UV Lamp Replacement Parts - The Bottom Line


Replacing your old lamp and quartz tube is easy and relatively hassle-free. On most models, you’ll only need to do it once per year, including on our own 13 GPM and 18 GPM UV water filters.


For an optimum experience an efficiency, we offer you a one-year money-back guarantee and 10 years of warranty when you register your products on our website.