How Contractors Can Reduce Indoor Air Pollution with HVAC Technology

With the World Health Organisation highlighting indoor air pollution as a significant health risk, it’s no wonder that businesses and organisations throughout the UK are looking for new and innovative ways to combat this issue using HVAC technology. With this challenge in-mind, Alpha Wholesale has identified various methods to reduce indoor air pollution. 

As a HVAC contractor, you’ll likely be aware of the prevalence of pollutants in indoor settings. Indeed, whilst many focus their attention on outdoor air pollution, various studies have found that the concentration of some pollutants can be up to five times higher in indoor settings.

The fact is that the average user of HVAC systems spends an average of 90% of their time indoors, potentially exposing them to major health risks spread through polluted air. However, this challenge isn’t insurmountable, with HVAC technologies providing a number of solutions to this serious issue.

Indoor Air Pollution: How it is Caused 

You don’t need to be working in a chemical processing plant or a vehicle mechanic to experience adverse health effects as a result of indoor pollution. Dust and other harmful particles find all kinds of ways of making their way into your  building through windows, doors and other openings. In some cases, these pollutants can even be brought indoors directly through a HVAC system.

In case you didn’t know, here’s just a few of the most common reasons behind indoor air pollution:

• Dust spread: Allergenic particles and other harmful matter can be brought on by the accumulation of mould, animal hair, skin particles and dust mites.
• Poor ventilation: HVAC contractors see this frequently. Without proper ventilation, buildings can become quickly exposed to harmful pollutants, including carcinogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Faulty ductwork: As mentioned, pathogens (including viruses like COVID-19) can be spread throughout a building through its HVAC system. However, it can also be recirculated through ductwork that is not fit for purpose.

Ensuring that your customers are aware of these common air pollution causes can help them take their own steps towards its impact. However, using HVAC solutions to combat indoor pollution can yield some truly impressive air quality results. Keep reading for some simple yet significant steps you can take as a contractor!

 

Step #1: Encourage Good Ventilation Design 

As a contractor, encouraging good ventilation design is one of the most important things you can impress on your customer. A properly designed ventilation system reduces indoor air pollution in three key ways:

• It provides fresh air;
• It controls foul odours; and
• It removes contaminants that can cause illness

If a fully upgraded ventilation design is out of the question, there’s a few steps that you can take to upgrade an existing system. For instance, you can relocate intakes; move ductwork or simply improve ventilation across the space by using HVAC technology.

Of course, if you’re working on improving ventilation, Alpha Wholesale stocks virtually everything required; from ducting & fittings to grilles, fans and flex & insulation. Check it out!

 

Step #2: Encourage Regular HVAC Maintenance

We get it: you understand the importance of regular HVAC maintenance. However, the fact is that many businesses and organisations neglect this, and often only recognise the importance of regular maintenance after a problem has arisen. As a contractor, we recommend impressing on your customers the importance of carrying out routine checks.

 

Whilst this step may seem simple, it’s crucial to remember just how much air quality can be impacted by a HVAC system. By occasionally cleaning and checking ductwork and by cleaning or replacing filters, you can ensure your customer is able to detect, prevent and eliminate sources of indoor air pollution.

 

Step #3: Increase Filtration Levels 

When it comes to removing harmful pathogens from indoor air systems, using air conditioning filters is one of the most important steps you can take as a contractor.  After all, these vital components protect your equipment from exposure to dirt and dust, keeping it performing efficiently as well as preventing that dirt and debris from being spread into the air.

 

Here’s just a few of the pollution-combatting filter options available at Alpha Wholesale:

• Helios Inline Air Filter: For in-line installation with circular ducting in ventilation systems. Spigots on both ends are fitted with double lip rubber seals, matching nominal size ducting. Casing made of galvanised sheet steel. Access panel fitted with clamp for easy filter change.
• S&P Inline Air Filter G4: MFL filtration boxes are of EU4 grade filtration and are designed for direct connection with standard circular ducting. A usual application of MFL filtration boxes is to protect the electric heaters from the dirt, in installations where MIXVENT HEATING systems are used
• Egg Crate Grille & Filter with Hinged 595 x 595mm Face (ECG-HR): Square grilles with high capacity return exhaust outlet, high free area, low noise levels and pressure drops.

 

Whilst we hope that this article is useful, we realise that this list of suggestions isn’t exhaustive. For more advice on improving air quality and tackling indoor air pollution, visit our Learning Hub or contact a member of our helpful sales team who will be happy to assist.