UV Anlage gegen Legionellen: Sicherheit und Effizienz

UV system against legionella: security and efficiency

Written by: Jens Wipprich

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Time to read 3 min

UV system against legionella : Legionella are a serious threat to health, especially in hot water systems. These microorganisms can multiply in water pipes and lead to dangerous respiratory diseases such as legionnaire disease. Effective disinfection method is essential to ensure safety in hot water systems. Here, the UV system is one of the most reliable and environmentally friendly solutions.


Legionella: An invisible danger in hot water systems

Legionella are water -living bacteria, which prefer to multiply in warm, moist environments. Hot water systems in buildings in which the water between 25 and 50 degrees Celsius reaches is particularly susceptible to legionella. Under these conditions, the bacteria find optimal growth conditions, which increases the risk of infections. Legionella can be spread and inhaled into the air via tiny water droplets, so -called aerosols that arise when showering or by air conditioning. Infection with legionella can lead to legionnaire disease, severe pneumonia, which is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised people.


Traditional methods of fighting legionella

Traditionally, the thermal disinfection used as a primary method to combat legionella. The water is heated to temperatures of over 60 degrees Celsius to kill the bacteria. However, this method is associated with considerable disadvantages:

  1. High energy consumption : The heating of large amounts of water to high temperatures requires a lot of energy, which drives the operating costs considerably up and stresses the environment.
  2. Material wear : The high temperatures can lead to accelerated wear of the pipes and other components of the hot water system, which leads to higher maintenance costs in the long term.
  3. Incomplete disinfection : In some cases, legionella can survive in isolated areas of the water pipes, especially if the water is not even heated to the required temperature.

The UV system: a modern and environmentally friendly alternative

In view of the disadvantages of thermal disinfection, the UV disinfection established as an effective and gentler alternative to fighting legionella. A UV system uses ultraviolet light in the UV-C spectrum to destroy the DNA of microorganisms such as legionella and thus make it harmless. This method offers numerous advantages:

  1. Energy efficiency : In contrast to thermal disinfection, UV disinfection only needs a fraction of the energy. The UV system works without heating the water, which makes it an inexpensive and environmentally friendly solution.
  2. Gentle treatment : Since no high temperatures are required, the material of the water pipes remains intact, which extends the lifespan of the entire system.
  3. High effectiveness : The UV system is highly effective against legionella and other microorganisms. Their efficiency is made by the W551 worksheet of DVGW, confirmed to the German association of the gas and water compartment.

Functioning and installation of the UV system

The UV system is integrated directly into the hot water cycle. This means that the water is guided and disinfected by the UV system every run. The installation is simple and can be integrated into existing hot water systems. Once installed, the UV system works continuously and ensures that the water is free of legionella and other harmful microorganisms at all times.

Advantages of integration into the hot water cycle

  1. Continuous disinfection : Since the water is guided through the UV system with every run, constant disinfection is guaranteed. This offers continuous security against legionella.
  2. No chemical use : The UV disinfection comes from without the use of chemicals, which means that no harmful residues remain in the water. This is particularly advantageous for human consumption and the environment.
  3. Immediate effect : Disinfection takes place in real time as soon as the water flows through the UV system. There are no waiting times for the water to be used safely.

Additional measures for legionella prevention

While the UV system plays a central role in legionella control, additional measures should be taken to further minimize the risk of contamination. A regular Rinse of the hot water system is an effective way to remove standing water that could represent a potential reservoir for legionella. Regular rinsing prevents biofilms and other deposits from forming in the pipelines that can serve as a breeding ground for bacteria.


Long -term efficiency and sustainability

The use of a UV system for Legionella control not only offers short -term advantages, but also long -term sustainability. Due to the lower energy consumption and reducing the material wear, the operating costs are reduced while the environment is spared. In addition, UV disinfection is a future -proof solution that meets the high demands on water hygiene and at the same time protects the health of the users.


Conclusion: Security and efficiency with the UV system against legionella

The UV system against legionella is a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly solution to combat legionella in hot water systems. In comparison to the traditional thermal disinfection, UV disinfection offers numerous advantages, including less energy consumption, gentle treatment of the materials and a high effectiveness against harmful microorganisms. The integration into the hot water cycle ensures continuous disinfection, which significantly reduces the risk of legionella infection. Additional measures such as the regular flushing of the system contribute to safety. Overall, the UV system represents a reliable and sustainable solution that meets the highest standards in water hygiene.