Coronavirus and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Date: 2020-09-10
Coronavirus and Heating, Ventilation and Air conditioning (HVAC)
Coronavirus is the bulging topic all over the world. Although quite a few information has been unveiled about the virus, yet much remains unknown. There are lots of rumors regarding the virus and we are here to give you some insights regarding your Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioner (HVAC) and Coronavirus (Covid-19).
1. Does the virus remain in air for long and get carried by airflow?
Covid-19 virus is mainly transmitted through the droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. The droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, so they quickly fall on the floors or surfaces. Thus, the virus doesn’t remain in the air for really long. Since the virus falls quickly on the floors and surfaces the virus doesn’t gets carried away by airflow from your HVAC systems.
2. Is there high risk of virus in the air?
The virus can only reproduce in living cells. However, it can survive on various surfaces and air for a limited time period which further eases the transmission. Therefore, frequent sanitization of your close environment is a must to prevent virus transmission.
3. Can I use air conditioner during this pandemic?
Yes, there is no strong evidence to suggest that a well-maintained air conditioning, ventilation, or other type of climate control system will contribute to the transmission of COVID-19. However, the systems should be regularly inspected, maintained, and cleaned.
4. Do higher efficiency filters on HVAC prevent the spread of the virus?
High efficiency HVAC filters can capture small particles like dust, bacteria, etc. and remove them from the airflow in your space. But it hasn’t been scientifically proved that they eliminate the virus risk entirely.
5. How often do we need to clean our Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems?
Till date there aren’t any indications that HVACs have spread Covid-19 virus. However, we recommend you to regularly maintain and clean the air conditioning equipment. If by any chance you suspect that the surface of an air conditioning unit has been affected, use a simple disinfectant to clean the surface.
6. What actions are required at workplace to take regarding Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioners?
There must be circulation of clean and fresh air in every workplace. WHO recommends an increased ventilation rate through natural or mechanical means, preferably without recirculation of the air.
7. How does humidity affect COVID-19?
Recent Research has shown that increasing indoor humidity levels can help deactivate the virus. During the winter months when our spaces are closed and heated, humidity levels tend to drop extremely low. Unfortunately, that is the ideal conditions for the COVID-19 virus to thrive longer time period.
Henceforth, although there aren’t any scientific proofs that Covid-19 virus is transferrable through the HVAC systems, we at Air Experts recommend everyone to regularly clean and disinfect your systems using a simple piece of cloth and disinfectant. Further, inflow of fresh air in commercial buildings and apartments is a must during this pandemic with minimal contact with any outsiders.
Source: World Health Organization