top of page

MAINTAINING HVAC SYSTEMS TO ADDRESS COVID-19

COVID-19-HVAC-response.jpg

This time around a lot of home and business owners wonder if they should do something with their HVAC system regarding COVID-19.

 

The American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers came out with guidance related to COVID-19. These are their recommendations:

​

  • Supplying clean air to the vulnerable occupants;

  • Suppress contaminated air and/or exhaust it outdoors;

  • Regularly ventilate the air in the occupied space with clean and filtered outdoor air;

  • Purify the air within a room.

 

Following the advice from ASHRAE we recommend these steps to be proactive about COVID-19.

 

Outside Air

 

Because the virus is new and has not been studied well enough there are no known filters able to remove COVID-19 from the air so the best recommendation we can give is to use outdoor air to dilute indoor contaminants.

 

Most conventional HVAC systems draw indoor air and circulate it throughout the building. While COVID-19 remains to be a concern we recommend to consider installing additional duct that will draw fresh air from the outside on demand. This will maximize the amount of clean air in the building.

 

Ultraviolet Lights

 

If your HVAC system is not equipped with ultraviolet purification system now is the best time to install it.

 

Stable Temp is experienced and familiar with many different types of UV purifiers and will be happy to install one that’s right for you.

 

Call us 858-766-5520 for a free estimate.

 

UV lights are beneficial all year round, not just in times of a pandemic. According to the EPA, HVAC systems with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation cleaners may help destroy pollutants such as viruses and bacteria.

 

Maintenance Procedures

​

Even though we can’t guarantee that new filters will stop the spread of the virus we know for sure that they will help prevent respiratory issues that make occupants even more vulnerable to COVID-19

 

Here is what we recommend:

 

  • Replace your HVAC unit filters even more often that you would in typical scenario. A lot of home owners forget to change filter whatsoever and look very surprised when our technician pulls out a 20-year-old filter that looks like little piece of hell on earth. If you haven’t changed your filters recently, or at all - now is the time to do it.

  • Consider increasing the Minimum Efficiency Rating Value (MERV) rating of your filters. The higher the rating, the more airborne particles the filter will capture.

  • Clean the inside of your air handling unit cabinets. When doing this, be careful not to damage the coils. Using incorrect cleaning products or procedures can hurt the coils and/or void your warranty. Consult the unit manufacturer for proper cleaning products and procedures.

 

Follow the Latest Guidance

​

You won’t be able to completely prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your homes and buildings but there is no doubt that proper maintenance and building operation strategies will help.

 

It is also important to follow the news from World Health Organization, the Center for Disease Control and other government agencies for the latest guidance on washing your hands, cleaning surfaces and staying home when sick.

​

bottom of page