FM & TECHNOLOGY
IMPROVING THE AIR WE BREATHE
Norma Biggs, Director at Independent Heating and Cooling (IHC), talks about improving indoor air quality and how small changes to your HVAC maintenance regime can make a huge impact.
The need for innovation in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning sector has never been greater both from an environmental point of view and for health and safety.
With the advent of the current pandemic, the air quality we work and live in has been thrust into the spotlight and led many business owners and FMs to question: am I doing enough? This growing awareness for improving ventilation to make our workplaces healthier and safer has also driven HVAC manufacturers into overdrive – and the results are amazing.
Whilst the technology has been available for some time, consumer demand has previously been low and the willingness to invest in good air quality has often not been recognised as a priority. But this last year has taught us all, we can’t take the air we breathe for granted.
There are many HVAC solutions available for improving indoor air quality in the working environment. One example is using heat recovery ventilation, whereby the heat from the extracted air is used to temper the fresh air input, therefore reducing energy input and providing increased ventilation. Another example is using bolt-on air purifying devices, produced by the manufacturer for certain ranges of equipment. This option can be very cost-effective and is easily installed during a regular service visit.
Air purifying technology At IHC, we have recently introduced a new bolt-on air purifying device to the range of services and products we offer that is designed to signifi cantly improve indoor air quality by neutralising six key indoor pollutants, and inhibit 99.8% of SARS-CoV-2.
The Plasma Quad Connect, manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric, is a powerful and cost-effective bolt-on air purifying device that is compatible with both new and existing installations of M Series, Mr Slim and City Multi indoor air conditioning units.
With the opening up of COVID restrictions last month more workers are expected to return to their workplaces, which means more people indoors in closer proximity. With the Plasma Quad Connect building owners and FMs can be offered complete peace of mind and reassurance for the health and safety of staff and other occupants with its ability to eliminate six indoor pollutants: viruses, bacteria, allergens, mould, dust and microscopic particles PM2.5.
It’s a clever bit of kit. The Plasma Quad Technology works like an electrical curtain to catch and neutralise particles
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in the air – even microscopic ones. First it produces plasma to inhibit viruses and bacteria, breakdown allergens and mould, and electrically charge dust and microscopic particles PM2.5. Then it creates a strong electrical fi eld to absorb dust and microscopic PM2.5 – cleverly turning dirty air into clean air.
There are three options for installing it; wall mounting onto a metal back plate above an existing air conditioning unit, it can slide into a metal fi tment that is screwed onto the back of a ducted unit, or it can be housed in a bespoke casement.
At IHC, we can work with you to decide which method of installation would work best for your premises.
Renewable technology Of course, aside from the health benefi ts of upgrading or maintaining your HVAC systems, it falls on us all to reduce our impact on the environment too; innovation will play a big part of that in the future. For example, there are now a wide range of heating and cooling options available that use renewable technology. If renewable technology is not applicable, then upgrading existing equipment will usually improve effi ciencies and reduce environmental impact.
To support businesses with replacing and upgrading existing capital equipment, the government introduced a Super Deduction for expenditure from 1st April 2021 until the end of March 2023. Companies can claim 130% capital allowances on qualifying plant and machinery investments, so this is well worth exploring.
If you are not considering replacing your existing system, there may be an argument for improving your controls to ensure your existing system is operating at maximum effi ciency, particularly when it comes to heating. Making just small changes can reduce your impact on the environment and also reduce your fuel bills.
Regular preventative maintenance One of the most important things you can do to improve the performance of your HVAC equipment is to carry out regular planned preventative maintenance. When it comes to air conditioning for instance, the running costs are often hidden in your electricity bill. When in good condition the co-effi cient of power on new units is approximately fi ve (so that means 1kw in, 5kw out). However, when the coils get dirty and the fi lters need cleaning this is reduced signifi cantly – sometimes by up to 30%, resulting in increased energy costs. Carrying out regular maintenance
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