Cost of UV Light for Well Water – How Much?
Written by: Alexandra Uta // Last Updated: Dec 14, 2022
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Ultraviolet light purification is one of the best ways to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms in well water.
But how much do you need to invest in an effective system?
In this guide, we’ll explain how much it’ll cost to use UV light for your well water.
Contents
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Key Takeaways
- Point-of-use UV light systems for well water cost $70-200.
- UV light well water systems for the whole house cost at least $200. If you want a sound-quality system from a renowned brand, you’ll need at least $550.
UV Well Water Filter Prices
Prices of UV systems differ depending on their type (point-of-entry or point-of-use), size, the resulting flow rate, and other features such as pre-filtration. Let’s talk more about the costs of different UV well filter types.
Point-of-Entry (POE)
Point-of-entry UV systems purify well water at the point where it enters the home. So you get purified water everywhere— showers, bathtubs, the kitchen sink, drinking water taps, and even appliances like your dishwasher.
Point-of-entry (or whole house) UV well water filters cost at least $200. However, if you want one from a reputable company with a flow rate sufficient for medium-sized families, you need at least $500-600. Some whole house UV purifiers, like the one from SpringWell, have a flow rate of 15 gallons per minute and can serve large families, but they cost at least $1,000.
Point-of-Use (POU)
Point-of-use systems are way less expensive, with a price range of approximately $70-$200. But they only purify well water at one specific point. So if you install a point-of-use purifier on a kitchen faucet, for example, only the water from that faucet gets purified.
Pre-Filters for Well Water Treatment
Well water is prone to microbial contamination and visible contaminants like sediments, rust, and mineral deposits. Unfortunately, UV purifiers don’t work well in the presence of these pollutants. This is because microorganisms can hide behind the particles and avoid the UV light meant to neutralize them.
As such, pre-filters are necessary to filter out the dirt and particles in well water to prevent the shielding effect and provide more effective UV disinfection. For best results, your water must meet these requirements:
- Hardness < 7 gpg
- Turbidity < 1 NTU
- Iron < 0.3 ppm
- Tannins < 0.1 ppm
- Manganese < 0.05 ppm
For an effective treatment, the amount of UV light that can pass through your well water must be at least 75%. To make this possible, you’ll likely need to buy one or more additional water filters.
Further Reading:
How Much Does It Cost to Install a UV Light for Well Water?
Installing a point-of-use UV purifier for well water costs between $100 and $ 300.. Installing a point-of-entry system will cost about $100-500 if your plumbing system is ready-made for installation. However, if your plumbing has to be adjusted, it will cost you an extra $1,000-$2,000 or so.
The amount you eventually spend to install a UV light for well water can be affected by factors like:
Tools & Supplies
You’ll need these necessary tools and supplies for installation:
- Tube or pipes (for example, copper or PVC)
- Teflon tape
- Sediment pre-filter (5-micron)
- (Push) fittings
Optionally, you may also get these:
- Pressure gauges
- Solder supplies
- Shut-off/bypass valves
Labor
Installing a UV purifier involves:
- Mounting the system.
- Connecting it to your plumbing.
- Installing bypass valve(s).
- Confirming no leakages.
A professional will charge you depending on their skill level and your plumbing system (if yours needs adjustments, they’ll charge you more). If the professional has to do extra work like clearing appliances and debris, they usually charge an additional $50 to $120.
The Cost of Hiring a Professional
Professionals will charge $100-500 to install a UV water purifier on a well. But only if your plumbing system doesn’t need adjustments.
If you have little or no plumbing skills and enough cash to spare, it is best to hire a professional.
However, if you’re familiar with plumbing tools, you can do it yourself. Remember that you may only need to do some countertop drilling to install point-of-use systems, while point-of-entry systems require plumbing-savvy work.
How Much Does It Cost to Maintain a UV Well Water Purifier?
UV well water purifiers require maintenance to keep working effectively, so you should slot in maintenance costs if you’re preparing a budget. How much are we looking at here? Let’s see:
- You have to replace the UV lamp once a year. A typical light bulb will have lost about 60% efficiency after one year or after you’ve used it consistently for 9,000 hours, so you should replace it. Replacing a UV bulb will cost between $80-130 in a whole house setup.
- The quartz sleeve also needs annual cleaning. That’s because it can become cloudy from contaminant build-up and prevent the UV light from reaching the microorganisms. Cleaning the quartz sleeve is easy; soak a soft cloth in vinegar or any mild acid and wipe it off. Afterward, rinse the quartz sleeve with clean water. If you prefer, you may hire someone to do the job.
- Once in two years, you should replace the quartz sleeve altogether. Getting a new one will cost between $40-60.
Total Average Cost (Year One)
Here’s the average cost of UV light for well water in the first year:
| Type | Price Tag | Installation Cost Range | Labor | Annual Cost | Total Average Cost (First Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POE | $200-1,000+ | $100-500+ | 2-4 hours | $120 | $420-1,620+ |
| POU | $70-200 | $100-300 | 1-3 hours | $80 | $250-580 |
Where to Buy a UV Water Filter System?
First, you must choose the type and model of UV filter you want, ensuring that it fits within your budget. Now, if you’re unsure where to buy, we’ve compiled a few options for you!
Online from Manufacturer/Brand
You can buy a UV filter directly from the manufacturer. But, even if you stay far away from the manufacturer, you can easily purchase the filter by shopping online! Once you’ve picked the brand you want to buy, search for the manufacturer on Google and place an order.
You can get discounts, prolonged warranties, and friendly customer service by shopping online. Plus, you get to buy it at a lower price when purchasing directly from the manufacturer than if you’d get it from a retailer.
Large Online Marketplace
You can also opt for large online marketplaces like Amazon. One good thing about this option is that you can have access to multiple sellers of the same product, so you can compare prices and make the best choice. You’ll also find reviews that can protect you from buying a UV well purifier that’s terrible.
Local Hardware Store
Another option is going to a local home improvement store. You can purchase a UV filter in a hardware store, pay them to install it for you, and have them periodically maintain it – full package! You may also be fortunate to get a nice discount to reduce your total spending.
However, hardware stores do not often have recent product models, so you may not get what you want. You’ll also need to be careful because they sometimes have low-quality stuff.
Local Water Treatment Expert
If there’s a water treatment expert in your area, they may be your best bet, especially if you’re not a fan of online shopping. These experts are very familiar with your regional water quality, so they can make product recommendations based on that.
If you have any questions about the cost of UV light for well water please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!
About the Author Alexandra Uta
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