Globally, people are encouraged to stay home to delay the spread of the highly contagious coronavirus disease. Since many families have significantly increased their time staying at home, the HVAC system’s usage has also increased. Homeowners must be aware of the importance of a well-maintained HVAC because, according to studies, COVID-19 can stay in the air for up to three hours!
Aside from following the government’s mandated safety protocols, homeowners, more importantly, ensure the safety and cleanliness at home. They are looking for ways to keep their families safe and comfortable at the same time with the help of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system installed in their houses.
Here are some of the HVAC safety and comfort measures that everyone can use during these challenging times:
Conduct duct cleaning and disinfection.
Ducts in HVAC system ensures comfort and pleasant temperatures for the whole family. However, if it is not cleaned correctly, it can serve as an incubator for all kinds of microbes, such as fungi, mold, bacteria, and yeast. In health crises like this, ducts cleaning and disinfecting must be prioritized at home to fight against COVID-19. Your go-to HVAC contractors have the proper knowledge to keep your HVAC system clean inside and out.
Re-program the thermostats.
Since everyone is spending most of their time at home, it is best to reconsider the correct room temperature. The ideal room temperature should be around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. Extreme environmental temperatures can be dangerous to your body. Also, you might catch the flu in colder weather. A smart Wi-Fi thermostat will make your life easier in setting your house temperature at a desired and ideal one.
Upgrade and replace HVAC filters.
Filters are designed to prevent dust and other large particles from entering your HVAC system. However, filters are not created equal. A better HVAC filter has a higher value MERV rating, which means finer filtration that will keep out tiny dust particles and other airborne contaminants from your HVAC system. Although HVAC experts remind consumers that high-quality filters alone do not guarantee safety against viruses, it should be together with proper HVAC maintenance and a disinfected environment.
Check the home’s relative humidity level.
The relative humidity is the percentage of water vapor in the air at a given temperature, and it can affect the incidence of allergies and respiratory infections. Studies revealed that viruses and airborne-transmitted infectious bacteria are least viable in relative humidity levels of 40% to 70%. Therefore, it is excellent to use a well-maintained home humidifier that keeps your house’s relative humidity at the ideal level.
Practice safety measures when working with HVAC contractors.
If your HVAC system needs professional service, look for HVAC contractors in Loveland who implement strict safety protocols during these challenging times such as social distancing, hand sanitization, tools disinfection, etc. Ask your contractor if they practice “no-contact” visits wherein the HVAC system concerns are communicated through phone calls and even photos. Other HVAC contractors in Loveland skip the signing of invoices to avoid contact with another person.
For HVAC repair or maintenance in Colorado, contact Tri-City Heating and Air!
