Improve IAQ: Working Towards Cleaner Air in 2020

As we continue our look back at the topics we covered in 2020, the main goal is always to improve IAQ. And for good reason. After all, better air quality indoors leads to better occupant health. It reduces energy costs and boosts the bottom line. It‘s also effective in reducing the aerosol transmission of viruses. As spring turned to summer, we highlighted the importance of disinfecting buildings. We recommended monitoring and commercial duct cleaning as effective tools to meet this goal. We also discussed needlepoint bipolar ionization as a way to improve IAQ.

Bipolar Ionization Improves IAQ

Facilities and building managers faced big challenges in 2020. The biggest was preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Early on, we learned that increasing cleaning and disinfecting schedules lowers the risk of infection. This stresses the importance of bipolar ionization as a weapon against airborne viruses.

We told readers about a study on aerosol transmission. The study determined that the coronavirus remains active as an aerosol for up to three hours. Aerosol droplets result from coughing, sneezing, and talking. To combat this, we recommended bipolar ionization such as our PURE Plasma HVAC-mounted ionizers. These devices release millions of positive and negative ions. Once in the air, these ions destroy viruses. The result is a lower risk of infection and cleaner air. They also reduce smoke, dust, and pollen and neutralize odors.

Monitoring the Fight Against Viruses

As the country reopened this summer, the pandemic raged on. Commercial businesses that followed guidelines set by the CDC opened safely. They established rules for social distancing, handwashing, and new traffic and workstation layouts. We talked about how monitoring conditions indoors is also a part of a safe reopening. This involves maintaining proper temperatures and RH levels to prevent the spread of viruses.

Above all, the right tools and data help building managers improve IAQ and building safety. Our Building Sciences services provide tools to track levels of:

• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• TVOC
• Particulate matter
• CO2

This real-time monitoring gives managers the information needed to address issues head-on.

Improve IAQ with Building Disinfection

The virus taught us many lessons in 2020. We learned that janitorial cleaning alone is not enough to stop the spread of viruses. However, we put forth strategies to improve IAQ and fight the coronavirus. An emergency response plan is critical in stopping outbreaks. We also discussed how Pure Control Services create these plans as well as the systems and methods needed to test for and respond to viral infections.

One of these methods is PURE-Decon. This system uses special equipment to disinfect HVAC equipment and ductwork. As a result, 99.9 percent of all microbes are destroyed. It also gets to surfaces that traditional cleaning methods can’t, yet it leaves no harmful residues behind.

Commercial Property Duct Cleaning

As the coronavirus grabbed headlines, building managers still faced the same challenges they do every year. Commercial property managers know that duct cleaning is an important part of HVAC maintenance. For example, dust and debris degrade mechanical systems over time. Of course, this prevents optimal performance. When HVAC systems work harder, energy costs increase as a result. Not only that but repair issues pop up more often and the lifespan of the system is shortened. Above all costs go up.

Additionally, we offered advice on hiring a duct cleaning vendor. This included verifying that they have NADCA certification as well as asking questions about their services. Pure Air Control offers services for commercial duct cleaning to improve IAQ. This includes the PURE-Duct method that uses high-pressure air turbulence and PURE-Steam to destroy bacteria, mold, and viruses.

Improve IAQ in Your Building Today!

Whether you manage a commercial property, a university system, or a medical facility, we hope the information we provided in these articles helps you improve IAQ in your buildings. Now it’s time to take the next step and contact Pure Air Control Services. Call 1-800-422-7873 today or email us here.