Because of the pandemic, many building owners, operators and occupants recognize the need to prioritize indoor air quality in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. This is good news, because historically air quality and ventilation haven’t been prioritized; many buildings cut costs by sourcing and purchasing cheaper filters, and neglect coil cleanliness. Inadequate filter specifications, and a lack of training and education have also been a concern. Currently, air quality standards are designed to meet a bare minimum, and in many cases this minimum standard isn’t being met. Here’s why that needs to change:  
 COVID-19 

We know that airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is significant and needs to be controlled. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce the airborne concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and thus the risk of transmission through the air.  

SICK BUILDINGS 
A building with inadequate filtration and ventilation can become what is known as a sick building. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sick building syndrome (SBS) is defined as “a set of symptoms that affect some number of building occupants during the time they spend in the building and diminish or go away during periods when they leave the building,” such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating. 

EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE  
Not only does better air quality reduce the spread of COVID-19, it improves working conditions overall. In fact, according to research led by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, air quality within an office can have significant impacts on employees’ cognitive function and productivity.  

• By nature of their design, air filters allow air and small particulate to pass through. The level of particulate captured is referred to as the MERV rating of a filter. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the capture percentage of smaller particles. With this in mind, select and install your filter accordingly. 
   

• No, you can’t throw a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the system and call it a day. Your building system has limitations which requires a customized approach. In other words, your filtration needs to perform within the design parameters of your system. Filters are designed to protect people, processes, environment and equipment. Selecting filters should be a tailored solution, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.   
   

• Every system is different, in fact each one is designed to operate within a certain set of design parameters such as filter efficiency, filter depth, operating pressure (inches water gauge), and size constraints. Fans and motors are only able to operate up to a certain degree of air resistance before costs become extreme or equipment fails.  
   

• Air handlers are confined spaces, and are often an incubator for viruses, bacteria, mold and fungi. Treat these areas as hazardous spaces and develop a clear hazard assessment and safe work procedure. 
    

• Upgrades aren’t always expensive. Sometimes costs are minimal, and they far outweigh the health costs that come from an inadequate system.  
   

• There is a right way and a wrong way to install, monitor and maintain your filters and system. Contracting a professional ensures you get it right the first time.  

• By nature of their design, air filters allow air and small particulate to pass through. The level of particulate captured is referred to as the MERV rating of a filter. The higher the MERV rating, the higher the capture percentage of smaller particles. With this in mind, select and install your filter accordingly. 
   

• No, you can’t throw a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the system and call it a day. Your building system has limitations which requires a customized approach. In other words, your filtration needs to perform within the design parameters of your system. Filters are designed to protect people, processes, environment and equipment. Selecting filters should be a tailored solution, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.   
   

• Every system is different, in fact each one is designed to operate within a certain set of design parameters such as filter efficiency, filter depth, operating pressure (inches water gauge), and size constraints. Fans and motors are only able to operate up to a certain degree of air resistance before costs become extreme or equipment fails.  
   

• Air handlers are confined spaces, and are often an incubator for viruses, bacteria, mold and fungi. Treat these areas as hazardous spaces and develop a clear hazard assessment and safe work procedure. 
    

• Upgrades aren’t always expensive. Sometimes costs are minimal, and they far outweigh the health costs that come from an inadequate system.  
   

• There is a right way and a wrong way to install, monitor and maintain your filters and system. Contracting a professional ensures you get it right the first time.