Indoor Air Quality

The Importance of Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, indoor air quality has gotten more than its fair share of attention.  But even without a global pandemic, indoor air quality should be at or near the top of every homeowner’s and business “to do” list.

 

On a daily basis, we are exposed to allergens, dust, debris, pollutants, irritants and airborne infectious particles.  For those with “normal” immune systems, the air we breathe might not pose any immediate issues.  But for those with compromised immune systems, asthma, health issues or allergies related to pollutants or air irritants, it can present a host of health concerns and potential sickness.

 

Since 1970 homes have been constructed “tighter” in order to conserve energy.  But that tighter construction means less outside air comes into the home to provide a constant supply of fresh air.  That means our HVAC system is recycling the air inside our homes.  Even with careful house cleaning any dust, pollutants, infectious particles and allergens in the air are continuously cycled throughout the home.  Those with allergies, asthma and other health issues often suffer symptoms related to exposure to the airborne particles left behind by their HVAC filtration system.

 

As much as we can be affected by our home air quality, businesses and manufacturing facilities are affected even more if air quality is not properly addressed.  With a higher concentration of people all breathing the same air, the risk of health issues related to airborne particles is much greater.  And if a manufacturing facility’s production process produces more dust and debris, the effects are greater still.

 

So what can be done to provide the highest possible air quality in our homes and businesses?  The CDC, EPA and The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers all agree that a combination of high performance air filters and air cleaning systems offer the greatest potential for providing optimum indoor air quality.  Specifically, high performance air filters are defined as those having a MERV rating of 13 or higher.  Both ASHRAE and the CDC are on record as recommending air filters with a MERV rating of 13 in a news article submitted by Allison Kropff with News Channel 10 in Tampa FL on August 6, 2020.

 

The following excerpt from the ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols dated April 14, 2020 states:

“The use of highly efficient particle filtration in centralized HVAC systems reduces the airborne load of infectious particles (Azimi and Stephens 2013). This strategy reduces the transport of infectious agents from one area to another when these areas share the same central HVAC system through supply of recirculated air.When appropriately selected and deployed, single-space high-efficiency filtration units (either ceiling mounted or portable) can be highly effective in reducing/lowering concentrations of infectious aerosols in a single space.”

 

Documents produced by the EPA and CDC report similar recommendations.  For your reference here are the links to both the EPA and CDC documents:

https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/indoor-air-and-coronavirus-covid-19

 

In summary, the recommended solution for improving the air quality in homes as well as businesses is an HVAC system that includes both a high efficiency filtration system combined with an air cleaning system.  

LEARN ABOUT OUR SPECIAL INDOOR AIR QUALITY PACKAGE!

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At Solutions Mechanical we want all of our clients to enjoy the highest possible air quality.  If you would like to explore your home air purification options, please contact at Solutions Mechanical at 540-324-2513 or by email at service@solutionsmechanical.plumbing.

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