An air sanitizing system and a method for sanitizing air flow within an HVAC duct are described. The system utilizes a UV-C air scoop apparatus with a UV light module having a plurality of LED lights, specifically, UV-C LEDs. The module is controllable by one or more of: detecting the presence of airflow via a temperature differential, or occupancy detection, which is accomplished by detecting the presence of digital, e.g., cellular, signals such as Wi-Fi probe requests to estimate the number of occupants in a space. The control system adjusts the operation and intensity of the UV-C LEDs which enhances thermal management, improves energy efficiency, and prolongs the life of the UV light module.