Covid-19 and Residential Indoor Air Quality

Everything You Need to Know About Covid-19 and Residential Indoor Air Quality

In March 2020, the whole world became more aware of how respiratory illnesses spread when Covid-19 began to attack our world and disrupt our lives. Scientists and medical professionals encountered a new, highly contagious illness and we all have been learning best practices “on the fly.”

The current understanding is that the virus transmits via aerosol droplets; we were reminded to cough or sneeze into our elbow or a tissue, wash our hands frequently, and stay home when we are ill. Later we were introduced to face masks, social distancing, and the term “indoor air quality” (IAQ).

Significant instruction centers around public spaces; we are encouraged to wear face masks inside, continue to be socially distant, and limit indoor gatherings. Current research has not uncovered the perfect, fail-safe solution to prevent viral transmission and ensure public safety.

Instead, we are encouraged to use many different methods together to improve Residential Indoor Air Quality. The personal safety measures are inexact since we all follow them imprecisely.

Owners of public indoor spaces take extra precautions to keep guests and employees as safe as possible. These measures give us more confidence in returning to activities such as working, worshipping, and shopping and are not based on choices made by occupants.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) offers guidelines for improving all IAQ; remarkable improvements in ventilation, air filtration, and air cleaning devices are creating safer indoor spaces.

By increasing the exchange of outdoor air, we can dilute the “dirty” indoor air.
High-quality air filters can remove 99.7% of all airborne particles.
Air purifiers can neutralize and remove viruses and other pollutants.

Applying these same principles, ASHRAE has provided guidelines for residential Residential Indoor Air Quality in regards to Covid-19.

Here are Residential Indoor Air Quality recommendations¹ for keeping your home safe:

Operate your HVAC system within normal comfort levels.
- Temperatures should range between 68-78⁰F and relative humidity should stay between 40-50%.
- If you turn the system off, make sure to open windows for plenty of ventilation.
- The lack of ventilation or the circulation of air leads to poor Residential Indoor Air Quality.
Improve Residential Indoor Air Quality by adding fresh, outdoor air as often as possible.
Increase air movement. Ceiling fans increase energy efficiency; moving air feels cooler and allows you to raise the air conditioner settings by as much as 100F. It also increases air circulation, preventing the air from being stagnant.
Improve the quality of your air filter. Before Covid-19, most homeowners did not put much forethought into air filtration. Air filters were cheap and needed to be changed routinely every three months.
- Back in 1987, ASHRAE completed research and set standards for the manufacturing of air filters.
- Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) is the rating standard to help consumers determine quality. The higher the MERV number, from 1 to 20, the smaller the open. Smaller openings trap more of the airborne particles and remove them from circulation.
- MERV 13 and higher are recommended for removing particles the size of viruses.
- A denser air filter will reduce airflow, so check with your HVAC manual for air filter tolerances. Call your HVAC professional if you need further help balancing the need for cleaner air and sufficient airflow.
Consider air purifiers. If your HVAC system cannot handle a MERV 13 air filter, explore air cleaners or purifiers to improve IAQ.
- Ultra-violet lights can be installed inside the ductwork. Ultra-violet light will neutralize (kill) microbes, mold spores, and pollen, including viruses. The inert (dead) cells will be trapped by the air filter.
- Air purifiers have multi-level filtration and remove particulates, including viruses. Both whole-house and portable, room-sized air purifiers are available.
Use exhaust fans as needed. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans provide valuable ventilation when needed and contribute to air circulation.
Keep your HVAC system running smoothly with regular maintenance. Not only does preventative maintenance keep your system in operation as long as possible, cleaning the interior components removes deposits of potentially harmful particles, including viruses and prevents them from recirculating throughout your home.

Need help with improving your Residential Indoor Air Quality?

Let us know how we can help with your Residential Indoor Air Quality, call AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

March 4, 2016May 4, 2021

Problems Caused By Not Regularly Replacing Your HVAC Air Filter

sugar land air conditioning service,sugar land hvac repair,ac repair in sugar land,air conditioning maintenance, HVAC REPAIR, AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR, AC REPAIR, AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR NEAR ME, FURNACE REPAIR NEAR ME, HVAC COMPANIES NEAR ME, HVAC REPAIR NEAR ME, AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR SERVICE, HEATING REPAIR, HVAC COMPANIES, AIR CONDITIONING COMPANIES, HVAC CONTRACTORS NEAR ME, AC COMPANIES NEAR ME, HEATING REPAIR NEAR ME, AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTOR, HEATING AND COOLING REPAIR, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR, HOME AC REPAIR NEAR ME, AIR CONDITIONING COMPANIES NEAR ME, HEATING AND AIR REPAIR, AC REPAIR SERVICES, AC INSTALLATION NEAR ME, CENTRAL AIR REPAIR, 24 HOUR AC REPAIR, HOME AC REPAIR, EMERGENCY AC REPAIR, AC UNIT REPAIR, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR NEAR ME, 24 HOUR AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR, HEATING AND AIR REPAIR NEAR ME

Do not forget to change your HVAC filters this spring and fall. It is the most important thing that you can do to protect your air conditioner and to enjoy a cool, comfortable home all year. You will enjoy lower energy bills, and you will not need to keep your Sugar Land air conditioning service on speed-dial. There are plenty of other benefits too. Here are a few reasons why you should give your HVAC system some attention every month.

Energy Use

Every Texan wants to lower their energy use and save some cash. Changing your HVAC filter regularly is one cheap and effective way to lower your bills. Since heating and cooling represent about half of your electric consumption, the savings are significant. Clogged filters increase air resistance which makes your HVAC system work longer to cool your home. The Department of Energy says that installing a new air filter will reduce heating and cooling costs by a minimum of 5 percent.

No Output

Saving money is nice, but regular filter changes can prevent bigger problems. Blocked airflow disrupts the air conditioner’s cooling cycle, so the coils can turn into ice. This can cause warm air to come out of your vents, or it can stop the airflow completely. Coils need air to dry condensation and prevent ice buildup. Ice is usually caused by dirty coils, clogged filters or low refrigerant levels. If you see a problem, turn off the air conditioner. Replace the filter, and run the fan only. This will melt the ice so Sugar Land HVAC repair experts can fix the problem.

Premature Failure

Inspecting and changing air filters quarterly or sooner is the easiest way to avoid emergency service calls and prevent breakdowns. If your air conditioner or heating system is not working as well as it used to or if it keeps tripping the breaker, the first thing you should do is check the filter. Then, turn the system back on to see if the problem has been fixed. If your HVAC filter looks clean, turn the system off, and give us a call. Continued operation can cause expensive components to fail. For example, if you force your air conditioner to run while the coils are icy, the compressor can overheat. Clogged filters will cause similar problems in all forced-air systems.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

Filters are intended to clean indoor air and prevent particles from coating the fan and the moving parts in your air handler. If filters are clogged or are not doing their job properly, you will notice increased dust accumulation in your home. In the later stages, you may see dust coming out of the registers while your HVAC system is running. Clean filters will also remove allergens. If pollen, dust and pet dander are not removed, you might suffer allergy symptoms, such as itchy eyes, throat irritation, coughing, sneezing and headaches. Installing better filters and changing them regularly will help protect your health and your air conditioning system. Remind yourself by writing the date on the edge of the filter, marking your calendar or having your cell phone alert you.

Seasonal tune-ups and regular filter changes are the best things you can do to lower your expenses and prolong the life of your air conditioning equipment. To achieve optimal performance, inspect your HVAC filters monthly. Change them when they have a coating of dust or look dirty. If you suffer from allergies, use a high-quality pleated filter. Remember to inspect and change allergy filters frequently so that they capture more particles. If you need a seasonal tune-up or an A/C repair in Sugar Land, TX, call All Cool A/C & Heating at 281-238-9292. We provide everything you need to stay cool this summer and comfortable all year around.

October 6, 2015February 17, 2020

Choosing the Best Air Filter for Your HVAC System

katy air conditioning service,sugar land air conditioning service,katy hvac repair, HVAC REPAIR, AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR, AC REPAIR, AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR NEAR ME, FURNACE REPAIR NEAR ME, HVAC COMPANIES NEAR ME, HVAC REPAIR NEAR ME, AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR SERVICE, HEATING REPAIR, HVAC COMPANIES, AIR CONDITIONING COMPANIES, HVAC CONTRACTORS NEAR ME, AC COMPANIES NEAR ME, HEATING REPAIR NEAR ME, AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTOR, HEATING AND COOLING REPAIR, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR, HOME AC REPAIR NEAR ME, AIR CONDITIONING COMPANIES NEAR ME, HEATING AND AIR REPAIR, AC REPAIR SERVICES, AC INSTALLATION NEAR ME, CENTRAL AIR REPAIR, 24 HOUR AC REPAIR, HOME AC REPAIR, EMERGENCY AC REPAIR, AC UNIT REPAIR, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR NEAR ME, 24 HOUR AIR CONDITIONER REPAIR, HEATING AND AIR REPAIR NEAR ME

Most people are aware that it is important to change the filter in their HVAC system regularly. If you are using a dirty filter, your system must work harder because the airflow is restricted by the collected dust. That could overheat the system, which can lead to the failure of key parts like the compressor, heat exchanger or fan motor. Katy air conditioning service experts confirm that selecting the best filter for your system is just as important as changing it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Choosing the Best Filter

Choosing the optimal filter is important but not difficult. It depends on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). If the MERV is too low for your system, the filter will not remove the majority of the pollutants in your air. If the MERV is too high, it will restrict the airflow.

Air filters for typical residential use are made from either spun fiberglass or pleated cotton-polyester. The fiberglass filters have a MERV rating of 2. Pleated filters have a MERV rating of 7 or 8. Filters with at least 18 pleats are best for a home.

The inexpensive blue fiberglass filters only capture the largest particles. They remove about 10 percent of contaminants. They are meant to protect your HVAC system but they will not clean the air substantially. If you use the cheapest type you can find, you will need to replace it so often that it makes more sense to buy a better filter that will last for a few months. You should change a 1-inch fiberglass filter once a month. A pleated filter can last three months or more. If your system uses a 3- to 5-inch filter, it could last as long as 12 months.

If you have pets or an allergy to dust, mold or pollen, you need a pleated filter. Because they have a greater surface area, pleated filters can trap smaller particles. They remove up to 45 percent of pollutants from your home. A Katy HVAC repair or Sugar Land air conditioning service such as All Out A/C & Heating can recommend the best filter for your system.

High-efficiency air filters with MERV ratings of 10 to 16 clean the air as they remove the pollutants. However, they should be used with caution. They are designed for special filter panels or air purifiers that are located beside the air handler, furnace or blower. As the air in your home is re-circulated through the filter, it becomes cleaner with every pass. High-efficiency air filters can remove up to 85 percent of indoor air pollutants. Your wallet will breathe a sigh of relief because your HVAC system will perform better if you use a high-efficiency air filter.

The very best filters are High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters with a MERV rating of 17 to 20. They are frequently used in hospitals. Unfortunately, HEPA filters cannot be used as a standard furnace filter because a typical HVAC system is not strong enough to push the air through a HEPA filter. They are meant to be used in a standalone air purifier or a whole-house filtration system.

When you install a new filter, write the date on the frame. If it is very dirty after two months, you need to change it every month. If it is still clean after one month, you can probably wait six to eight weeks. If you are unsure, call All Cool A/C & Heating at 281-238-9292. We can answer all your questions, maintain your current system or install a new one. We are also available around the clock for emergency repairs.