Having lived with the coronavirus for close to a year now, many businesses are opening up whenever restrictions in the particular region are lifted. With workers coming back to their offices, many are concerned about the rumors that HVAC systems can spread Coronavirus easily among employees. In order to confirm or debunk this unconfirmed claim, we spoke to the heating and air conditioning experts at Howell’s Heating & Air Conditioning. Can The HVAC System Spread Coronavirus at The Office? Here’s what they had to say.
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Are There Any Health Risks to Restarting The HVAC System?
If you power up the HVAC systems that have been shut down due to the lockdowns, you may expect certain risks under particular circumstances. If the HVAC systems haven’t had their regular maintenance to make sure they are in accordance with all the regulations and standards, they may pose a risk to the employers.
The condenser water systems and cooling towers in an HVAC system may develop corrosion on specific surfaces if they haven’t been maintained during prolonged lockdown periods.
This may affect the quality of air in the air-conditioned areas and pose health risks to the employees. This may also lead to mold development.
How to Eliminate The Risk Of HVAC Spreading Coronavirus?
Before your employees return to the office where the HVAC system has been shut down, make sure to take all the necessary steps to make sure there are no risks to their health and safety. This also includes any risks linked to the HVAC system. If you do not schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system, even during the lockdown, you may put them at risk.
If the air conditioner has been neglected for a while, make sure you hire a professional HVAC repair company to assess the damage to the system and make if fully functional before the workers return to the office.
A fully functional HVAC system is a necessary safety measure when returning to work from the lockdown. These systems have to be maintained even during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The HVAC system has to be well maintained and inspected by a professional according to all the relevant standards and regulations.
Can HVAC Spread COVID-19 In The Office?
According to the current evidence, HVAC systems do not spread COVID-19. However, proper ventilation and a fully functional HVAC system in the office may minimize the risk of the virus spreading. If you have the option to stop using recirculated air, you minimize the risk even further. You can do this by closing the recirculation dampers. If your HVAC is older and does not have this option, you should consider investing in it.
According to recent evidence, COVID-19 is most easily spread through close personal contact with an infected person. It can also spread through surfaces contaminated with the virus through respiratory droplets.
The best way to minimize the risk of a COVID-19 infection is to make sure there is enough space between the workers by meeting the physical distancing requirements in your particular state. Also, make sure you encourage your employees to practice good hygiene.
