A consumer must consider that when buying a UV system you are buying "water confidence". In order to ensure that confidence, the correct replacement lamp is vital to the continued performance of that piece of equipment. That being said if you buy a specific model it is imperative that you replace the lamp with one that has been designed for that model, otherwise how do you even know that the UV system is disinfecting your water?
There are companies in the water industry that are selling "knockoff" lamps targeting residential UV systems that are sold world wide. These lamps are being offered at a very low price with the promise that they operate the same as the UV manufacturer's lamps. This promise is untrue. If a consumer were to install a "knockoff" lamp the "water confidence" that was being offered by the UV manufacturer no longer holds true and cannot be supported by the manufacturer and voids the warranty on Viqua systems. H2O provides only original UV Max and Sterilight Replacement Lamps.
Ultraviolet light (or UV) is at the invisible, violet range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The water treatment industry uses a high-powered form of UV light called UV-C or "germicidal UV" to disinfect water from disease causing bacteria and protozoan cysts.
UV technology can be more effective than chemicals in destroying certain waterborne contaminants without altering the taste of the water. This makes it a practical process for treating water that is used for drinking and food preparation.
UV light disinfects by penetrating microorganisms and disrupting their DNA, preventing them from multiplying. The only function of a microorganism is to breed and produce colonies this is why when we ingest microorganisms they make us sick. Visit our 'How Ultraviolet Purification Works' guide to learn more.
