2 ASHRAE Articles Underscore Importance of Healthy Buildings

Energy Efficiency & Building Science News published a popular article in June, Where Is COVID-19 and Building Science Leading ‘Healthy Buildings’?, in which Jay H. Crandell, P.E., ARES/ABTG, explores the finding contained in a recently completed research report titled Healthy Buildings & the COVID-19 Pandemic: Building Science for HVAC Systems and Building Envelope Best Practices.

ASHRAE published two articles in the September 2020 issue of ASHRAE Journal that provide further insight into the importance of healthy buildings in the context of COVID-19:

HVAC and COVID-19: Filling the Knowledge Gaps: Many HVAC-related factors could be significant regarding the spread of COVID-19. Increased ventilation, advanced filtration, humidification and improved mechanical hygiene are being included in measures intended to reduce its spread. A paper published in the September ASHRAE Journal summarizes what is known about the virus responsible for COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and similar viruses regarding the role of HVAC in both the spread and control of infection.

Improving IEQ to Reduce Transmission of Airborne Pathogens in Cold Climates: In cold climates, winter indoor environments often stabilize at a low relative humidity (RH) because of high outdoor air ventilation rates required for schools and high-occupancy office buildings. The low RH heavily affects indoor environmental quality. An article in the September ASHRAE Journal explores how improving indoor environmental quality through advanced HVAC equipment design for RH control can help reduce the transmission of airborne pathogens in cold climates and minimize energy efficiency impacts.

For more information on the many ways building science is contributing to healthy buildings, check out these resources on continousinsulation.org.