While maintaining good indoor air quality is important throughout the year, it's especially critical during flu season. In a crowded indoor space, illnesses can spread quickly. For your staff, the spread of infectious diseases such as the flu can lead to increased absenteeism and reduced productivity.
Flu season can be costly to your business as well. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the flu costs U.S. businesses more than $11 billion annually in direct and indirect costs.
What can you do to mitigate the spread of viruses in your facility and reduce your risks? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, the flu virus spreads mainly through airborne droplets. Your HVAC system controls air circulation in your building, so proper system operation and maintenance are critical to virus mitigation. Here are five HVAC best practices you can use to combat flu season in your facility.
1. Upgrade filtration
Use filters with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating of 13 or higher. These filters can trap smaller particles, including viruses, and significantly improve air filtration.
Consider using advanced high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. They capture at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size, including some viruses and bacteria, reducing the spread of airborne illnesses in enclosed spaces.
Whatever type of filtration you choose, make sure to change filters regularly throughout the season according to manufacturer guidelines. Be aware that the more efficient the filter, the more energy you may use to move the air.
2. Optimize ventilation
Stale indoor air can trap airborne viruses, increasing their concentration. Proper ventilation is critical for bringing fresh air into your facility to dilute and remove airborne contaminants.
Increasing outdoor airflow into your building can also increase the load on your heating system. To bring in fresh air while conserving energy, incorporate energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). ERVs transfer heat and moisture from the outgoing warm indoor air to the incoming cold outdoor air, warming and humidifying it.
3. Maintain humidity levels
Viruses like the flu tend to thrive in dry air. That's because low humidity slows the rate at which respiratory droplets that carry viruses evaporate, allowing the virus to remain airborne for longer periods. Indoor heating systems lower humidity levels, creating an environment for viruses to spread.
Keeping indoor humidity between 40% and 60% can help minimize the survival and transmission of flu viruses. Use humidifiers integrated with your HVAC system to manage humidity levels during the winter months. Many HVAC systems come equipped with humidity controls. Use your building automation system to set and maintain appropriate humidity levels.
4. Integrate air cleaning
Integrating air cleaning and purification technologies, such as UV-C light technology or bipolar ionization, can provide an additional layer of protection.
UV-C light is a type of ultraviolet light that's highly effective at destroying microorganisms, such as viruses. UV-C lamps are installed inside the HVAC system. As air passes through, viruses are exposed to the UV-C light. The light damages their DNA or RNA, effectively killing them.
A bipolar ionization system generates charged positive and negative ions, which are released into the HVAC system air. The ions disrupt the DNA structure of viruses, rendering them inactive or killing them.
5. Practice preventive maintenance
The growth of dust, dirt and microbes within your HVAC system reduces its ability to filter air and maintain proper airflow. Therefore, preventive maintenance and cleaning are essential for optimal system performance and a healthy indoor environment. Implement a comprehensive maintenance schedule that includes:
- Cleaning and disinfecting system components and ductwork
- Regular inspection and replacement of air filters
- Testing airflow and repairing duct system leaks
- Inspection and adjustment of dampers, vents and diffusers to ensure uniform airflow
By incorporating these practices, you can create a healthier indoor environment this flu season, save money and improve the well-being of your staff and other building occupants.