5 Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19 Pandemic

As lockdowns are steadily modified and people ease back to work, we begin to reexamine parts of our day-to-day lives. The current pandemic has prompted us to dwell on matters we often ignore, such as proper health care and hygiene, conduciveness of space layouts, and indoor air quality.

Now, corporations have begun modifying aspects of office operations and layouts to ensure employees that it is safe to go back to work. Some have placed plastic dividers between workstations, moved desks toward safe distances, and implemented a skeleton workforce to lessen the number of people within the building. Others have opted to invest in long-term solutions by installing efficient heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.

The HVAC systems go beyond providing cool air for a comfortable work environment. When properly installed and maintained, it promotes proper indoor air circulation, preventing the occurrence of adverse health effects as it eliminates air contaminants such as mold, germs, viruses, and pollens.

To expound on the role of HVAC systems in indoor air quality, Meralco recently held a webinar titled ‚"Let's clear the air: Indoor air quality in the new normal." Providing subject matter expertise was Wilfredo Legaspi, MSERV General manager for HVAC, Lighting, and Auxiliaries. MSERV is Meralco's fully-owned subsidiary, which offers energy services and solutions, and focuses on electro-mechanical engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) services, and energy-efficiency and urban services.

During the webinar, Legaspi elaborated its six-point system, which serves as a backbone in delivering good indoor air quality to its clients.

1. Invest in an efficient HVAC system

Installing an HVAC system tailor-fit for your needs is a worthwhile investment.
Service providers conduct an inspection in your office space to ensure that they would provide and recommend the most suitable HVAC system and indoor air quality solutions—such as the inclusion of UV filters and air purifiers.

In the long run, proper installation of suitable HVAC systems minimizes cost for repair, accounts for lower electricity bills, guarantees quality performance of the system, and ensures longer lifespan of the equipment.

Most importantly, good indoor air quality optimizes employees' health and productivity.

2. Schedule regular maintenance check

Proper cleaning and regular maintenance of air-conditioning units, air filters, coils, duct systems, and ventilation systems are crucial in improving the general quality of indoor air.

On top of this, these also ensure efficient operations and clean airflow of the HVAC system.

3. Maintain healthy humidity levels

Proper air humidity levels in indoor spaces are also crucial during this time but are often overlooked. Low ambient humidity levels hamper the ability of our immune system to fight off respiratory viral infections.

This is why it's recommended to install humidifiers and dehumidifier devices that manage the specific recommended humidity level, which is 45 to 55 percent.

This would help ease dryness of the nose, throat, lips skin, and difficulty in breathing as well as the symptoms of flu or common cold. It also prevents the growth of molds and bacteria in damp areas.

4. Let some fresh air in

As they say, fresh air breathes new life into a room.

Apart from your trusted HVAC system, fresh air is an important part of the air quality equation. For an optimized environment, mix indoor air with a proportion of fresh air from outside the workplace. From time to time, allow fresh air to rotate and let potential air contaminants and fumes move out of the space.

5. Keep the workplace clean

Combining the power of technology with basic hygiene and cleaning practices triple the safety in our workplace.

To support your existing HVAC system, avoid accumulating dust, molds, allergens and other contaminants in the office by sanitizing surfaces or wiping off any spills with non-harmful chemicals, which do not release harmful compounds into the air.

In this uncertain time, sanitation and indoor air quality should be two of the most important concerns in every workplace as it directly affects the overall health and well-being of the staff and employees.

To learn more about good indoor air quality, contact your Meralco Relationship Manager or email [email protected], click this link to watch/listen to the webinar recording, or download the presentation.