Just Breathe: Coil Cleaning's Role in Removing Viruses From Your Air
CCER • April 16, 2020
Taking steps to cut down on airborne contaminants
Given the concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the HVAC industry has stepped up in doing their part to protect the air we breathe. Now deemed essential workforce, HVAC technicians are doing their part in the fight against Coronavirus. Coil cleaning can help to purify the air and can be a good preventative measure at this time. So what are the facts, and how can indoor air quality affect your health?
According to www.acca.org, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution among the top four environmental hazards in America. With the prevention of COVID-19 on everyone’s minds, many commercial buildings are looking to take any precautionary measures to keep their workers and clients safe. In this time of social distancing and working from home, now is a great time to proactively service your HVAC system via coil cleaning and tower cleaning.
The virus is spread person-to-person, and according to www.pureaircontrols.com, COVID-19 can contaminate a building in two ways: First, by droplets from an infected person being deposited or settling on surfaces in the occupied space. Second, the droplets can enter into and be distributed by the building HVAC system. Much of the same stimulus that effects surface longevity of the virus is likely true for the HVAC system.
So, how significant is airborne transmission in the spread of Coronavirus? According to William Bahnfleth, ASHRAE presidential member and founding director of Penn State’s Indoor Environment Center, it may not be the number one source of transmission, but “there's also the potential for airborne transmission. And if viruses that are viable are in those droplets that you're producing, some of them will be small enough that they will stay airborne for a long time. So, it's not impossible that infectious particles in the air could stay aloft long enough to be collected, say at the return grille of an HVAC system, go through a duct, and infect someone in a different space.”
It’s a scary time as we battle this virus, but you’re not alone, and we’re happy to help. If you’re concerned with how air quality could affect your business during this time, call us for your free estimate. It should take less than 15-minutes, and can help to keep you, your employees and your customers safe. Let’s all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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