After what seemed like the longest winter in recent memory, spring is finally here in the Washington DC, Northern Virginia area. And you know what that means: the weather is warming, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming, and Spring Allergies are not far behind.
Improve Air Quality With HVAC Maintenance
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average American spends 90% of their time indoors. Experts believe that more allergy suffers are affected by indoor air pollutants – dust mites, cat dander, and mold spores – than outdoor pollutants.
Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been identified by the EPA as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health. Especially during the spring when seasonal allergies are at their worst, poor IAQ can negatively impact the comfort, productivity, and health of building occupants.
Of course, not all IAQ issues are related to spring allergies. Some health-related complaints associated with poor IAQ mimic the symptoms of the flu: headaches, sinus problems, congestion, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and irritation of the eyes, nose or throat. This is known as Sick Building Syndrome: situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort issues that appear to be linked to time spent in a building.
The common factor: air quality.
So, unless you want productivity to come to a screeching – coughing, sniffling, and sneezing – halt, OSHA recommends a proactive approach to address IAQ concerns.
- Cleaning: Regularly clean your office space to remove dirt, dust, and allergens from the environment.
- Comfort Factors: Ensure comfort factors, such as temperature, humidity, and air movement, are in a range acceptable to most building occupants. See ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.
- HVAC Maintenance: With regular inspections and maintenance, you’ll improve energy efficiency and prevent IAQ issues.
Proactive HVAC Maintenance
One of the primary sources of contaminants in a commercial building is the inadequate design or maintenance of the HVAC system. Proactive maintenance can help alleviate many of these issues.
- Poor ventilation: Not enough fresh air is introduced to reduce contaminants. This is why building owners and property managers should ensure the building ventilation is in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62.1, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Studies have shown that communicable diseases like the common cold, influenza and tuberculosis spread more efficiently in poorly ventilated buildings.
- Air cleaning may also be used to control indoor air contaminants. Upgrading to higher efficiency air filters, if compatible with the HVAC system, can help improve IAQ.
- Outdoor air intakes. Contaminants from outside can enter the building. When more air is removed by the HVAC system than is supplied, negative pressure results. This pressure difference can cause unconditioned air to flow into the building through any available gap.
- When your HVAC system is not working properly, it cannot do its job. It’s critical to schedule preventative maintenance check-ups for your HVAC equipment for both IAQ and occupant comfort.
- Maintaining good IAQ in a building also requires careful management of custodial, pest control, and building engineering or contractor maintenance activities.
Preventative HVAC Maintenance in Northern Virginia & Washington DC
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is a leading mechanical contractor with mobile 24/7 commercial HVAC service throughout Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. With our customized preventative maintenance agreements, we help property managers and building owners improve their IAQ, reduce energy costs, and extend equipment life, ensuring office tenants are comfortable.
To get a quote for a preventative maintenance contract, please call 202.600.2787 or email sales@crockett-facilities.com. We’re in this Building Together!
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