Reducing COVID-19 in Office Buildings
The role of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in the spread of COVID-19 has become a hot topic worldwide. Equally important as restaurants, office buildings, and other businesses have started to reopen.
Along with social distancing, face masks, and increased hygiene, a business can take more straightforward steps in minimizing the potential for airborne transmission of COVID-19. Fortunately, a range of existing and emerging HVAC technologies have become available to improve indoor air quality. Continue reading to learn more about them and how they can benefit you.
Under the ongoing public health and economic impact, retailers face the challenge to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission in their indoor environments. Often, the layout and design of a building and total occupancy can impact the virus’s potential to spread.
Concerns of Indoor Air Quality
As the spotlight remains focused on indoor air quality, it changes how we look at the world outside of our homes. Concerns about whether the COVID-19 virus can achieve transmission through HVAC ventilation are at an all-time high.
HVAC systems are known to move large volumes of air. As such, there is interest in whether HVAC systems can manage infectious disease transmission. Depending on the HVAC system’s age and quality, upgrades may be necessary to reduce the spread of viruses like COVID-19.
Best Practices for Building Ventilation
Newer HVAC systems that provide outside air for ventilation and filtration play a role in reducing airborne transmission of infectious diseases. As such, the circulation of clean outdoor air is critical in reducing the number of infectious particles in indoor spaces.
Poorly ventilated areas are known to increase COVID-19 transmission, including among people who remain socially distant. A lack of proper airflow can spread disease among people in the same general area. Equally, adequate ventilation cannot prevent COVID-19 transmission, it can serve as one of many key contributors to healthy indoor air quality.
Air Filtration Technologies
Along with proper ventilation, quality air filtration is fundamental to healthy indoor quality. It may lower the risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19. In addition to the CDC confirming that COVID-19 can spread through airborne transmission, improving HVAC exchange and filtration became one of their many recommendations.
Equally, the CDC recommends using the highest efficiency ventilation filters possible without detrimental overall HVAC system performance. Scientific developments in filter design have reduced the increased pressure drop and its resulting impact on HVAC operations.
Likewise, not all filters have adopted the newer technology. It’s essential to consult with a professional HVAC company before upgrading filters. We are here to help ensure that the existing fan and motor systems can handle increased air pressure.
Lately, there have been various advancements in HVAC technology that can help accomplish safer indoor environments. Fortunately, these emerging technologies help boost commercial HVAC systems’ ability to control airborne pathogens, including the type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Utilizing Ultraviolet as An Added Layer Of Protection
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows the benefits of UV light. HVAC systems equipped with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation cleaners may destroy pollutants. Such as, COVID-19, cold viruses, and bacteria. Likewise, a properly designed and maintained UV system has been shown to reduce infections. Also, , along with quality filtration, humidity control, and proper airflow. If you’re considering ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, we can help.
According to the American Society for Microbiology. Indoor relative humidity levels between 40% and 60% may help reduce the virus’s spread and survival. Likewise, retailers can increase their humidity levels by installing a humidifier within their HVAC system.
However, indoor building environments have their own unique requirements. Likewise, opportunities to fight against COVID-19 are available. Furthermore, upgrading your commercial HVAC system is not a complete COVID-19 solution. Moreover, it can be part of a highly effective risk mitigation strategy that reduces exposure to virus particles
We’re in This Together
Therefore, each day, as more individuals continue to head back to their office buildings. Above all, frequent and transparent communication by company leaders is crucial. Likewise, it is one element of an effective COVID-19 return-to-work plan. In addition to maintaining simple preventative measures. Such as, physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and handwashing. HVAC systems can add another layer of protection.
Meanwhile, as we continue to socially distance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Some people may ask themselves what else can they do. Subsequently, together with handwashing, staying home remains the most effective means of limiting the spread of the virus. If you are interested in keeping you and your building safe, we are here to help.
Local HVAC Service Company
Discussing the need for an HVAC repair might not be the most enjoyable part of your day. However, we want to make the process as quick and straightforward for you as possible. We provide the option to improve indoor ventilation by upgrading existing HVAC components. Whether installed within the buildings or added as a dedicated filtration system.
As a local HVAC company, we remain focused on the prevention and containment of COVID-19. When you trust your air purity to Air Point, you’re making a smart choice. At Air Point Heating & Cooling, we have been in the business for 15 years. With this in mind, we continue to serve families throughout the Toronto area. They continue to trust us for their HVAC service needs. Don’t make a mistake and continue to put your family’s health at risk.
