Three Tools to Help Monitor and Improve Your Air

A question on many minds: can cleaner air provide an added layer of protection against the transmission of Covid-19?

It's widely accepted that the Coronavirus can move in multiple ways, though less is understood about how each contributes to transmission of the disease. Those possible transmission methods include short-range airborne particles, ballistic droplets from coughing or sneezing, long-range airborne particles, and touching contaminated surfaces.

Taking steps like washing your hands or using hand sanitizer, wearing a mask, and social distancing can certainly help control the spread, however, they can't always protect against the spread of long-range airborne particles.  Plus, there are many other reasons to invest in the quality of the air in your facility or home. Eliminating dust, pollen and allergens is certain to improve the condition of your air, and a must for those who suffer from allergies or asthma. 

We'll take a look at three tools (some emerging, some existing) that can help cleanse the air in your home, office, and facility.

Up First, and Most Common: Air Filters

Portable air filters can limit the spread of the virus via long-range airborne particles by capturing most of those particles in a HEPA filter (we recommend and offer HEPA air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating of 13) and cleaning the air at a rate of up to six times per hour. In a typical home without an air cleaner, the air gets fully changed out about once every two hours through air leakage, often aided by mechanical ventilation systems in newer houses. So, in the right circumstances, portable air cleaners offer an additional layer of protection.

A More Permanent Solution: HVAC Air Purifiers

Utilizing UV-C technology, HVAC Air Purifiers are installed directly into the ductwork of your home or facility. While UV-C technology has been in use for decades, mainly in healthcare settings, it's just now beginning to be more widely used throughout different industries and in homes. Air purifiers are installed directly into HVAC ducts, and treat the air with UV-C light as air flows through, eliminating pathogens, allergens and viruses for cleaner, fresher air. 

Air Monitoring Systems: Continuously Monitor Your Air Quality

Air quality monitoring systems work in real time to continuously monitor your air quality for risks to healthy air and the presence of viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and the flu. If the system detects a change in the air quality, an alert is sent to you via email, text or on the app included with the system. In addition to monitoring for viruses, our air quality monitoring system helps avoid unnecessary HVAC expenses, providing key information to allow your facility to maximize filtration and ventilation from your existing HVAC systems.

As the holidays and colder months in the northern hemisphere approach, and we spend more time indoors, it makes sense to ensure that your air quality is top notch. The three air quality tools mentioned above can certainly aid in eliminating viruses, cleaning your air, and providing peace of mind.