Government of Canada COVID-19: Guidance on indoor ventilation during the pandemic

Replace filter with a high MERV rating

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has developed a guide to inform Canadians about how indoor ventilation, combined with other recommended public health measures, can reduce the spread of COVID-19. The guide also provides practical tips on improving indoor air, ventilation and filtration to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The complete content of this guide is available on the Government of Canada website.

Please read the key messages

  • Limit indoor gatherings
  • Open windows and doors
  • Consult an HVAC professional
  • Consider avoiding the area

Influence of ventilation on risk of aerosol transmission

If a person who is infected is in an indoor space, build-up of viral particles will depend on:

  • how infectious the person is
  • the activities the person undertakes
  • the size of the space and its ventilation

The smaller the room, the faster the build-up of particles containing SARS-CoV-2 virus. In larger spaces, it may take longer for virus-containing aerosols to build up throughout the room. Good ventilation will:

  • move outdoor air into the space
  • dilute potentially contaminated air
  • remove contaminated air through vents or open windows

In any size of room, close proximity can result in high-risk exposure, regardless of ventilation.

Ventilation

There are many ways to improve ventilation to mitigate the transmission of infectious diseases. The most appropriate measures depend on the characteristics of the particular setting. One way to improve ventilation is by opening exterior doors and windows for a few minutes, ideally with more than one open at a time.

Opening windows in winter may not always be comfortable or possible. Doing so for a few minutes at a time during the day can still improve air quality, with minimal impact on the indoor temperature. If occupants will be indoors for longer periods, for example at schools, occupants should have regular outdoor breaks, to allow for ventilation of the room.

An HVAC system will exchange indoor air a certain number of times per hour as a part of regular operation. To increase ventilation, run your HVAC system fan continuously at a low speed to provide air movement and filtration without unwanted draft. Within non-residential buildings, run the system for 2 hours at maximum outside airflow before and after the building is occupied. Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans that are vented to the outside can also be used to help remove potentially contaminated air, where appropriate.

Most HVAC systems will recirculate some air through the indoor space, making it important to:

  • ensure that filters are well sealed without a bypass
  • clean or change your filters regularly per manufacturer’s recommendations
  • select filters with higher MERV ratings that are more efficient at removing particles

This should be done within the specifications of your HVAC system and in consultation with an HVAC professional.

Portable or ceiling fans, or single unit air conditioners may circulate air within the room, but they do not exchange air or improve ventilation. If using a window air conditioner unit or a fan is necessary, aim the air stream away from people to reduce the spread of potentially infectious droplets or particles.

Please contact us if you have any concerns or questions about how to improve your indoor air quality.  We are happy to provide a free no-contact consultation.

Message from Unionville Heating and Air Conditioning President: COVID-19

Message from Unionville Heating and Air Conditioning President about covid-19

At Unionville Heating and Air Conditioning, the safety and well-being of both our Customers and our Service Technicians is always our top priority. Rest assured that we are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are taking precautionary measures to aid in keeping our communities safe. As an essential service to our customers, we are committed to implementing best practices to help prevent the spread of disease and ensure we can continue to provide a high level of service.

We are confident in our plans to safeguard the health and safety of our customers and employees.  For more information about COVID-19, please visit Health Canada and Ontario Ministry of Health websites for ongoing updates.

To help with prevention, we are taking the following precautionary measures to protect our Customers

Addressing in-home customer service:

How we can all keep safe

Service Technicians will be keeping recommended safe social distance and will not be shaking hands with customers, as suggested by the Public Health Agency of Canada.  Our Service Technicians have been equipped with an ample supply of:

  • hand sanitizers
  • disinfectant wipes
  • masks
  • single-use gloves
  • boot covers

Any Service Technician who has flu like symptoms will be asked to contact the Public Health Agency and follow the COVID-19 testing protocol, including self-isolation where required.

Precaution questions

Customers need to inform us at time of placing an order if they are if they are sick or have been out of the country.  Have had any visitors to their home who have been sick. Are they in self isolation and for how long. Please be prepared to answer brief health and safety questions related to COVID-19 with our Unionville Heating and Air Conditioning Service Technicians

Instructions for a service visit

We are asking customers to wash and or sanitize all door entry handles.  All cheque payments should be put in a sealed envelope and given to the tech. We are following government protocol on social distancing and doing our part daily to flatten the curve as recommended by Health Canada.

Indoor Air Quality and Safety during COVID-19

Spring Air Conditioning service, air circulation improves Indoor Air Quality

Spending More Time Indoors Due to Self-Isolation

With regard to COVID-19 and the effects on people in our community, President of Unionville Heating John St.Germain says,

“We care about our staff, and we care about our customers. Unionville Heating and Air Conditioning is open for business and here to help. We are spending more time in our homes now, more than any other time over the last ten years.  As a result of spending all this time inside, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an important issue that customers need to know about.  Proper ventilation, filtration and cleaning are necessary to be healthy and safe indoors.”

 

The Government of Canada provides information about ways improve or maintain good IAQ.

Here are 8 things you can do right away to improve the air quality in your home:

  1. Make sure your furnace is well-maintained to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) accumulation.
  2. Change the furnace/AC filter regularly. It is important to replace or clean filters regularly as per manufacturers’ instructions. Removal rates for filters can change over time. Don’t forget about other portable air filters in the house.
  3. Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom when showering or bathing to reduce humidity and prevent mould growth.
  4. Use your range hood to reduce your exposure to pollutants from your gas stove such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and humidity from cooking activities.
  5. Install at least one CSA-approved carbon monoxide (CO) alarm close to bedrooms.
  6. Ventilate your home by making sure there is good air circulation and control the humidity.
  7. Outdoor particulate matter levels may often be higher than indoor levels. Therefore, natural ventilation (from an open window or door) may not always be effective in reducing indoor levels. This is especially the case on poor air quality days, so use an air conditioner when it is smoggy outside, if possible.
  8. Regular house cleaning using a mix of methods can help improve indoor air quality. Keep your rugs and carpets clean.  Clean hardwood and tile floors with a damp mop.

 

Spring Service

Servicing your air conditioning unit at some point in the near future will likely become necessary.  There is typically a rush when the first hot day arrives.  That’s usually the first nice warm day in the spring where everyone will want to turn on their air conditioning units.  It’s at that point Unionville Heating receive requests for an incredible amount of service calls.

John is hoping that customers will take a proactive approach with regards to keeping safe, and offered this advice to homeowners with AC units,

“If this physical distancing and isolation continues into the late summer as some are predicting, the last thing we want on the first heat wave, is 300 ‘no-cooling’ phone calls. People need to know they can pre-book their AC service on-line and stay ahead of the curve. If we all do our part, we can help to flatten the curve and provide a healthy environment to our customers while in isolation in their homes over the next few months.”

 

To keep us all safe, Unionville Heating has prepared this information we would like you to know:

  • Our staff is trained and have all the necessary tools to protect themselves, their families and our customers.
  • Important! Safety is our first priority in responding to any service call.

 

We have developed the following processes to ensure we all stay safe:

All customers calling in for service must follow our safety processes or we will reserve the right to refuse service.

 

Process at time of booking:

Answering the pre-appointment questions:

  • Has anyone in the home been out of the country in the last 2 weeks?
  • Have they been in the company with anyone who has been out of the country in the last 2 weeks
  • Is anyone in the house sick or coughing?

 

Process for service call at your home:

  • Everyone maintains a 2 metre distance from our techs while in their homes.
  • The customer must prepare and sanitize all door entries to the furnace and outdoor A/C units.
  • Absolutely no contact by shaking hands or coughing or sneezing within the 2 metre distance.
  • The company will supply any and all protective gear and or disinfectants necessary to do our job safely.
  • When we arrive to your home, we call you from the driveway and ask to allow us entry and to be sure we are aware of our social distancing and safety process.
  • We will send an invoice after the service or you can pay by e-transfer

Maintain Good IAQ in Your Home

As a result of self-isolation, the indoor air quality of our homes has become a more important issue since we are spending more time indoors.  Unionville Heating can provide your spring air conditioning service in a safe way and in a timely way if you schedule your appointment before the rush.

Call our office (905-479-1290) or book online.