Simple Ways to Improve Air Quality in Your Office

How healthy is the air in your office? Workers spend more than 40-hours a week in the office setting, exposed to the air within. Commercial HVAC contractors in Philadelphia understand how the indoor air quality in your building can affect employee health and performance. When indoor air quality is poor, it can impact your bottom line in many ways, from reduced efficiency to Sick Building Syndrome, and inflated insurance costs from the health effects of polluted indoor air. What can you do about it?

Simple Ways to Make Indoor Air Quality in the Office Better

• Ventilate
  Whenever possible, open office windows to allow fresh air inside. Commercial contractors know today’s tightly-sealed building envelopes often trap toxic particles within.
• Leave Air Vents Open & Unblocked
  Stagnant, stuffy spaces can create an environment that negatively impacts worker health. Open vents in all areas, addressing furnishings that obstruct airflow.
• Clean Regularly
  Invest in a good vacuum with a HEPA filter and use it regularly. Use microfiber dust cloths, which trap more dust, and are reusable and green. Clean all surfaces with natural, low or no VOC cleaners to eliminate illness-inducing viruses, bacteria, dust, pollen, and other pollutants that can make workers miserable and put a damper on productivity.
• Add a Door Mat
  A matting system will reduce dirt and allergens tracked into your office, trapping soil and particles. This small investment will help expensive flooring last longer and significantly reduce cleaning duties.
• Keep Your HVAC System Well-Maintained
  Regularly change air filters, considering HEPA filtration to keep the air circulating through your HVAC system free of dirt, allergens, and irritants. Clean ductwork regularly, as this can be a breeding ground for mold, dust and dust mites, and pest residues. These tasks also improve HVAC system efficiency and cut down on energy costs resulting from poor maintenance and airflow issues.
• Control Humidity
  Ask your commercial heating and air professional how to control humidity levels with your air conditioner and dehumidifier. Keeping humidity levels between 30-50% to reduce the proliferation of mold, mildew, dust mites, bacteria, and pests, which thrive in moist environments.

• Address Spills & Leaks ASAP
  Residual dampness supports mold, mildew, and bacteria growth. Left unaddressed, it can lead to proliferation, structural damage, and the need for expensive remediation.

• Get to Know Common Sources of Indoor Air Quality Issues 
  Familiarizing yourself with these common sources of indoor air quality issues, how they affect your business, and ways to mitigate them are key to ensuring a healthy environment for workers.
• Choose Furnishings & Cleaners Carefully 
  Think green and natural. Solid wood furnishings outgas far less toxic substances than fiber and particle board alternatives. They also last longer. When choosing cleaning chemicals, opt for natural cleaners over VOC-laden, chemical options. Avoid synthetic fragrances, including air fresheners and candles that can negatively impact those with lung issues.

Ensure a work environment that is happy and healthy with the help of the best commercial HVAC company in NJ. Contact H&H Commercial Services today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/simple-ways-to-improve-air-quality-in-your-office/

2nd Stage of Refrigerant Limitations: Consequences of R22 Refrigerant Phase-Out

January 1, 2020, R22 refrigerant becomes illegal in the U.S. The phase-out of this refrigerant, widely-used in consumer and commercial heating and cooling systems worldwide, is going to affect millions, creating a ripple effect in the industry. How will the consequences of the phase-out impact you?

Higher Service Prices on R22 Systems

After January 1, 2020, HVAC commercial contractors won’t be able to obtain a single ounce of R22 for your system.  Losing this widely used chemical is leaving a significant void. This has caused the price of refrigerant and the cost of servicing R22 systems to spike to new heights, with the cost of some services rising 50% over pre-ban estimates.

Counterfeit & Contaminated R22

There has also been a rise in counterfeit and contaminated R22 in the market. For those that fall victim to this scam, the consequences of losing funds pale in comparison the high risk of fire and explosion posed by the counterfeit/contaminated refrigerants. If you need R22 before the phase-out deadline, make doubly-sure you are purchasing it from an EPA-certified supplier.

Options for Businesses with R22 Systems

• Maintain Your Current System (Wait)
  Commercial HVAC contractors in NJ advise if your current system is in good shape, newer than 8-years old, and not leaking refrigerant, you can continue using it until it develops a leak. This will require regular service and attentive care. With each service appointment, you should discuss the timeline of imminent system replacement with your local commercial HVAC services provider. This approach isn’t feasible long-term. Eventually, leaks will develop and system components fail, requiring a system upgrade.
• Retrofit Your System (Put a Band Aid on It)
  As R22 supplies dwindled, options for retrofitting older systems to refrigerants such as R134A, R410A, R407C, and R407A arose as a potential solution. None of these refrigerants is a direct replacement for R22.  This means the process will not work in all cases, and in all cases, additional equipment will be necessary to make these refrigerants work in the system. This approach is timely and costly, often more so than a new system. Retrofits also void the manufacturer warranty, and if done incorrectly, can leave you with a downed system in the middle of temperature extremes. At this point, you will join the throngs of others waiting in line for a full system replacement.
• Replace Your System (Be Proactive)
  If your system is 8+ years old, upgrading to a new system that utilizes non-ozone depleting refrigerant is strongly recommended by your commercial HVAC service company. This solution offers many benefits, including:
  • No unexpected downtime and waiting for the replacement of your old R22 unit.
  • An EPA-compliant, environmentally-safe system.
  • More efficient system heating and cooling and lower energy bills.
  • Smaller system footprint and streamlined design.
  • Smart, mobile operation.

R22 phase-out concerns? H&H Commercial Services is here to help. Contact us to schedule R22 system maintenance or learn more about upgrading your system today.

This blog was originally posted at https://hhcommercialonline.com/2nd-stage-of-refrigerant-limitations-consequences-of-r22-refrigerant-phase-out/