How to Protect Yourself from Getting the Virus at Home
The coronavirus pandemic has changed our understanding of domestic life in this country. We are used to HVAC systems keeping us cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but we don’t normally associate them as essential to our health. The coronavirus is putting renewed attention on how we ventilate our homes. If you fail to circulate the air in your home and one of your housemates may have the virus, you could easily get infected as well.
Find out how to ventilate your home to limit the spread of the virus.
Why HVAC is Important
While scientists are still trying to make sense of exactly how the virus spreads from person to person, we know that most people get infected through respiratory droplets. If someone has the virus and they speak, sing, sneeze, or cough, the droplets coming out of their mouth can easily spread the virus.
That’s why scientists and healthcare professionals are urging the public to stay at least six feet apart when going out in public, but that’s not always an option if you are living with someone that has or may have the virus.
We are still collecting information on how HVAC systems come into play, but it seems as if air conditioning units may help spread the virus. A/Cs typically draw warm air into the machine. The air then passes over a cooling system where it is released back into the room. If a sick person is near the intake point, these respiratory droplets could find their way into the machine. The HVAC will then disperse them throughout the room, increasing the chances of transmission. We recommend investing in an air purification system; these systems have proven to be effective in limiting the spread of the coronavirus.
What to Do If Someone in Your House Has or May Have the Virus
Health experts agree that it’s generally best to turn off the A/C and open a window if you are living with someone that may have the virus. Fresh air is one of the best ways to circulate air in a room without recycling the same airborne particles. Keep the windows open near the person who may have the virus, so they don’t spread it through the air.
But What If You Need Your A/C?
In some cases, turning off your A/C unit and opening a window may not be an option. It is summer after all, and temperatures will continue to rise across the country. You may also have to keep the windows closed if you or one of your housemates suffers from seasonal allergies.
If you can’t open a window, it’s best to keep your A/C running but you need to keep the infected individual away from the intake point. All HVAC systems will circulate the air by taking it in and pushing it back out. Be aware of how the air moves throughout your home. Try sealing off intake vents and ducts in the room with the infected person, so the machine doesn’t suck up contaminated air.
Keep these tips in mind if you are living with someone that may have been exposed to the virus. Testing remains limited around the country, so it’s best to err on the side of caution if you’re not sure if your roommate or loved one has been exposed. Contact A-1 Guaranteed for more information on how to shield your home from the virus and to hear more about air purification products to kill the virus in your home.
