ENERGY STAR's Technical Guidance on Changes to HVAC Systems
ENERGY STAR for Commercial Buildings and Industrial Plants presented a webinar on operating commercial office buildings during the coronavirus pandemic, including how to best operate the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Speakers included Tanya M. Geary (Lincoln Property Company), Barry Abramson (Servidyne), and Meghan McNulty (Servidyne). If you missed it, here is a recap of their team’s technical guidance on changes to HVAC systems. Listen to the webinar for all the details.
Building HVAC Operations and COVID-19: Technical Guiidance on Changes to HVAC Systems
Servidyne sought research from ASHRAE, CDC, WHO, and OSHA, among others. Here’s what they found:
1. HVAC is not the primary virus transmission mechanism; transmission is mainly from person-to-person close contact over extended periods. However, airborne transmission is sufficiently likely that HVAC measures should be taken to reduce potential exposure.
2. HVAC can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 through the incorporation of best practices developed by ASHRAE’s Epidemic Task Force. Meghan explained these best practices that focus on dilution and filtration, as they apply to office buildings, including:
a. Increasing outdoor ventilation (as much as conditions permit) by enabling outside air economizers more often and increasing the minimum outside airflows by opening dampers. Improving filtration to MERV-13 or the highest efficiency level feasible, and ensuring that filters are sealed properly to prevent bypass.
b. Additionally, Servidyne suggests providing outside air for a few hours before and a few hours after occupancy each day.
c. More advanced measures, such as HEPA filters and UVGI, can be considered for higher-risk areas, but require careful evaluation for each application and should be looked at as secondary to the fundamental measures.
Some solutions may increase energy usage
Servidyne analyzed the energy use impact of three measures to reduce transmission risk: Extending HVAC hours, upgrading to MERV 13 from MERV 8 filters, and letting in an additional 50% outside air above minimum. They found that overall these changes would contribute a roughly three to five percent increase in building energy usage for a typical office building, depending on climate region.
Prepare your building systems ahead of reentry
Barry concluded the presentation with some essential tips from ASHRAE to prepare your building for occupancy re-entry:
1. Flush out the air and water systems.
2. Assess your air filtration systems.
3. Ensure HVAC systems are returned to normal operation including proper pressurization throughout the building.
Learn more: Listen to the webinar recording for more details about how these organizations are helping their building management clients prepare to repopulate their buildings, the role of HVAC in the transmission of COVID-19, and reducing risk and supporting the safety and well-being of your tenants and occupants.
View ENERGYSTAR’s full webinar calendar or 2020 Partner of the Year webinar series to sign up for no-cost training.
