The nation’s top health agency recently issued an urgent warning that coronavirus can spread through the air even if we’re six feet apart – especially in poorly ventilated enclosed spaces.
This warning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has home and business owners worried about their indoor air quality as temperatures drop and we gather indoors – where the very air we breathe could be a petri dish for the virus.
The indoor air quality experts from AdvantaClean offer these 6 tips about proper ventilation to help keep homes and businesses healthy and safe this year.
- The Filter First – Make sure your HVAC filter is correctly in place and consider upgrading to the highest-rated filter your system can accommodate. Professionals recommend using filters with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating between 8 and 10 and a thickness of one inch for most homes.
- Fan of the Fan – HVAC systems only filter the air when the fan is running, so run the fan continuously or for an extended period. You can set most systems to run the fan even without the heat or air conditioning on.
- Purify the Air – Most air purifiers will help circulate clean air and have HEPA filters that remove up to 99 percent of airborne allergens, including pollen, dust, pet dander and mold spores. A mid-priced room purifier can cost $50-125. Many people place it in their bedroom where they spend most of their time.
- Open Up – Improve indoor air quality by opening windows or screened doors to bring in fresh air from the outside, if possible. Ventilation can be further increased by opening windows at opposite sides of the home (cross ventilation) or on different floors of the house. Avoid this when outdoor air pollution is high or if it poses a health risk to family members.
- Keep Moving – Keep internal doors throughout the house open to promote movement of air. Operate a bathroom fan or kitchen exhaust fan when the room is in use. Portable fans can be used to further increase ventilation but make sure to direct the air flow so that it does not blow directly from one person to another
- Don’t Duck the Ducts – The CDC reports proper ventilation of heating and air conditioning systems can reduce airborne virus transmission. Air ducts are the circulatory system of your home, which help move the air, so it is important to keep them clean for optimal circulation. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends cleaning air ducts every 5 – 7 years.
When used along with other best practices recommended by the CDC, increasing indoor air ventilation can be an important part of the plan to protect families against the spread of the COVID-19 virus.