This month, we’re focusing on how HVAC and plumbing play a role in our customers’ health and wellness. In the first of a two-part series, let’s look at current trends and innovations that allow HVAC to help keep customers safe, healthy and comfortable. Indoor air quality is getting a lot of “airplay” in the news lately. According to the EPA, the majority of people typically spend 90% of their time indoors, so the quality of the air they’re breathing really matters.
HVAC’s role in creating optimal indoor air is vital. Effectively controlling particles released into the air, humidity, air circulation and even temperature can help people breathe easier.
Ventilation/Filtration
The EPA recommends that, in order to improve air quality in the home, it should receive “0.35 air changes per hour but not less than 15 cubic feet of air per minute, per person.” And… that means exactly nothing to the average homeowner. In simple terms, homes need fresh air.
This can come in the groundbreaking and novel approach of opening a window (as people have been doing as long as there have been windows) through cracks and joints around doors, or through the fresh air intake of HVAC units. That’s where we come in. Adequate ventilation exchanges are vital, especially in new homes that are sealed tight as a drum.
But with that fresh air, comes pollen, molds, smoke from wildfires or pollution. The good news – advanced HVAC technology can help make indoor air safer than ever.
HEPA filters. These filters that capture 99.97% of airborne particles like dust, molds and even some viruses, are a critical component in customer health.
UV Germicidal Irradiation. UVGI systems use ultraviolet energy to kill germs like viruses, bacteria and fungus. This technology is not new – it was used 70 years ago to control the spread of tuberculosis. But it got a boost in popularity during COVID-19. Is it really necessary today? In many newer HVAC systems, this technology can be redundant. But in places that are high risk, like clinic waiting rooms, it’s still prevalent.
Air Purifiers. Many newer HVAC systems include air purifiers, and can incorporate whole-house air purifiers. They’re also called in-duct purification systems and can be installed directly into existing HVAC ductwork near the furnace or air handler.
Comfort controls
Humidity control. We all know the old saying when it comes to our comfort level outside – it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. Humidity is important indoors as well. If it’s too high, like in bathrooms, it can foster mold and mildew. Too low, and you may get dry, itchy skin and respiratory irritations.
Zoning. This high-tech option allows you to control the temperature in the house with programmable thermostats and an app on a smartphone. If one family member likes it cooler and one likes it warmer, set the controls to reflect that in their own rooms. That ensures everyone is comfortable in their own spaces.
Quiet. This is a feature of new HVAC systems that doesn’t get much glory, but these systems are much quieter than they had been in the past. That quiet can add to a sense of calm in a home, which everyone needs after a long day.
New HVAC systems aren’t just about heating and cooling a home. They’re also about keeping everyone inside of it healthy, happy and comfortable, too. Read more about air quality in our blog “The Impact of Indoor Air Quality and How HVAC Can Help.”
