We knew nearly from the start that the coronavirus can be spread through close contact.
But recently, a number of research studies presented compelling evidence that the coronavirus spreads through HVAC systems as well. (You can read more about this research in last week’s blog post here.)
This is pretty scary stuff!
But as they say, more knowledge also means more power to protect ourselves. When we know where the threat is more likely to come from, we can put protections in place against that threat.
To learn how to protect against the airborne transmission of virus germs, we must look to the front lines – to the health care industry. What are health care systems and workers doing to limit risk and stay as safe as possible?
In this post, we outline exactly what is being done and how you can implement the same strategies at home or workplace.
4 Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality and Safety
The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has released its recommendations for maintaining and upgrading indoor air quality and safety for frontline health care workers treating COVID-19 patients.
While not all recommendations are applicable to the general public, these four are vitally important and can be easily implemented without delay.
1. Maintain a relative humidity level of 40 to 60 percent
Nearly from the beginning, research has verified that warmer temperatures combined with higher relative humidity can be an effective means of limiting virus transmission.
The cold season is typically a time when humidity levels plunge to 10 percent or lower. Combined with cooler temperatures, this makes right now the most dangerous time for virus transmission.
There are a number of ways to boost indoor humidity levels. Adding houseplants, leaving the door open after showers and baths, steaming water on the stove, and even placing bowls of water around the house can all add some ambient humidity back into the air.
However, the easiest and best way to regulate and maintain the desired humidity range is to install a whole-home humidifier. These units work with your existing ductwork to keep relative humidity levels consistent inside your space.
If your space lacks central ductwork, you may want to consider purchasing one or more portable humidifiers to add back humidity in high traffic areas.
2. Use HEPA air filtration systems
HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters were invented in World War II. They are still heavily in use today. The HEPA filter is particularly dense and can trap incredibly tiny particles and keep them from travelling any further into your space.
HEPA filters are too dense for most residential HVAC systems – there is a risk of home fire from over-taxing the blower motor.
But aftermarket HEPA filtration systems can work directly on the air as it leaves the blower and passes into the air ducts, filtering out toxins before they can enter the duct system.
If your space lacks central ductwork, portable HEPA filtration units are also available.
3. Install ultraviolet air purification systems
ASHRAE and other organizations have been recommending the use of ultraviolet light as a purifying agent since the start of the pandemic.
Ultraviolet light (band C) is the most powerful natural disinfectant and decontaminant we have on Earth.
Modern UV air purifiers use focused short-wave bands of UV-C light to neutralize gaseous and liquid particles so they cannot cause harm.
UV air purification systems can work in a number of different ways depending on where they are placed. Some systems irradiate the HVAC coils, while others may be placed at the start of or even inside the air duct system to purify the air there.
If your space lacks central ductwork, portable UV purification units are also available.
4. Improve indoor air ventilation (eliminate or limit air recirculation)
Recirculated air has become a major problem in new construction today. This is largely thanks to new airtight construction processes that seal up every tiny crack and crevice where outside air might come in and indoor air leak out.
This is great for energy bills, but not nearly so good for ventilation. Heat recovery ventilators have now become the norm for new construction because they act like a set of mechanical “lungs,” constantly “breathing in” fresh air and “breathing out” stale air.
Heat recovery ventilators also help balance indoor air humidity levels and recycle otherwise lost and wasted heat energy. But most importantly, they eliminate the threat of virus transmission through recirculating stale indoor air.
Is It Time for an Indoor Air Duct Cleaning?
In most parts of Canada, homes that have indoor air duct systems have never once been cleaned out and sanitized.
Over the last five years, we have seen increasing interest in this service as people get more worried about the health consequences of toxic indoor air.
Initially, many of our customers express concerns that the duct cleaning process will be messy and time-consuming. But today’s indoor air duct cleanings can generally be done in less than a day and are completely safe.
We use an enormous industrial-strength negative pressure vacuum to pull out all the trapped debris and then go back in with a powerful sanitizing and deodorizing agent to neutralize any remaining residual threats.
Many of our customers tell us their indoor air is so clean afterward, they can literally smell the difference.
An indoor air duct cleaning is an essential step in eliminating recirculated toxins and ensuring a steady supply of fresh, safe air inside your space.
Get in Touch
We have been deemed an “essential service” during the shelter-in-place order here in Ontario. We are here to serve you in three ways: through curbside pickup, online orders, or shipping.
Our technicians are also available for service calls on a case-by-case basis.
Give us a call at 905-549-2470 or visit us online to let us know how we can help
