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Breathing clean air is essential for living and maintaining a healthy life. Indoor air quality is easy to forget about, although many of us spend the majority of our time inside. Whether it’s an office building or a healthcare facility, air quality is important. The conversation around indoor air purification has intensified in recent years due to COVID-19. Two effective ways of cleaning indoor air are bipolar ionization and ultraviolet irradiation in your HVAC systems.

Bipolar Ionization

Bipolar Ionization, or BPI, converts oxygen molecules to charged ions using electric voltage. These charged ions are effective against viruses, bacteria, and mold. The ions attach to contaminants and make them large enough for HVAC system filters to capture them. Some contaminants become heavy enough to fall onto surfaces that are easier to clean.

BPI also removes organic compounds, odors, and allergy-causing dangers. Bipolar Ionization doesn’t replace MERV air filtration but helps boost the filtration system.

Ultraviolet Irradiation

Ultraviolet light is one of several types of light that exist within the entire light spectrum. UV lamps have long been used to control infectious microorganisms in medical facilities. A UV-C fluorescent lamp generates light that can inactivate mold, bacteria, and viruses.

Ultraviolet HVAC systems come in two main categories: air sterilization and coil sterilization. Air Sterilization is an in-duct system. It disinfects the air as it moves through the ducts of an HVAC system.  Coil Sterilization is a more targeted approach to zapping air pollutants. UV HVAC devices are placed near high-risk components such as condensation pans to keep them clean.

Clean Indoor Air Using HVAC Systems

Both bipolar ionization and ultraviolet irradiation are effective ways to ensure the air you’re breathing is clean and healthy. Keeping indoor air free of contaminants starts with your HVAC system. If you’re considering one of these options for an upcoming project or can’t decide between the two, contact the experts at ColonialWebb. The trusted experts at ColonialWebb will advise you on the best system for your big project!

Indoor air quality is critical for maintaining a healthy and safe environment for building occupants. Unfortunately, pollutants, allergens, and microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and mold can contaminate indoor air, leading to various health issues. Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a technology that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to inactivate and destroy microorganisms, preventing them from becoming biological hazards.

Biofilm in HVAC Systems

Biofilm is a complex microbial matrix of mold and bacteria that grows on the fins of the HVAC system’s evaporator coils, drain pans, and ducts. What appears as dirt, slime, or sludge on the surfaces of these components is, in fact, biofilm. Biofilm can also grow on other surfaces where moisture and nutrients are present. The presence of biofilm in HVAC systems can create serious health hazards for building occupants.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that improper maintenance of HVAC systems can contribute to the growth and dissemination of pathogenic, opportunistic bacteria, viruses, and mold. Biofilms give off products of metabolism known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can trigger occupant complaints of watery eyes, headaches, and even severe allergy and asthma responses. In some extreme cases, biofilms can lead to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), a condition in which occupants experience symptoms related to a particular building.

The quality of indoor air is influenced by the levels of bioaerosols, contaminants, and pollutants, which can significantly impact occupant health and development. Therefore, it is essential to take steps to prevent biofilm growth in HVAC systems and improve indoor air quality.

UVGI Technology to Prevent Biofilm Growth

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) technology has proven to be a highly effective means of preventing the growth of biofilms in HVAC systems. UVGI uses ultraviolet energy to inactivate and destroy microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, by altering their DNA and preventing reproduction. UVGI’s germicidal effect is strongest when using UVC energy, which has a 200 to 280 nanometers wavelength.

UVGI technology can be applied to HVAC systems in several ways, including using ultraviolet germicidal lamps. These lamps emit a concentrated radiation of ultraviolet energy that destroys microorganisms on contact. Installing UVGI lamps in an HVAC system requires air handlers and duct system modifications to accommodate the lamps. The process also requires new power to feed each lamp.

ColonialWebb and Chesterfield Country School Systems

ColonialWebb’s Special Projects MEP team partnered with Chesterfield County School Systems to install UVGI systems in 15 schools. The installation process involved modifying the HVAC air handlers and duct systems to accommodate the UV lamps. The skilled team of HVAC technicians, sheet metal workers, and electricians performed the installation to include new power to feed each of the lamps.

The partnership between ColonialWebb and Chesterfield County School Systems is an excellent example of how UVGI technology can improve indoor air quality and reduce the risk of illness. ColonialWebb is proud to have worked with the county to provide good indoor air quality to the occupants of the school system.

Benefits of UVGI Technology

UVGI technology is a powerful tool for preventing the growth of harmful biofilms in HVAC systems and improving indoor air quality. By using UVC energy to alter the structure and molecular bonds of microorganisms, UVGI effectively neutralizes their ability to reproduce and become a biological hazard. The partnership between ColonialWebb’s Special Projects MEP team and Chesterfield County School Systems is a prime example of the practical applications of UVGI technology in safeguarding public health. With the potential risks associated with indoor air pollution, it is essential to take action to mitigate these issues.

Consider partnering with ColonialWebb to address your air quality concerns using UVGI technology. Contact ColonialWebb’s team of experts today to learn more about how we can help you improve indoor air quality and safeguard the health of your building occupants.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have recently been at the forefront of the news. With the rise in popularity of brands like Tesla and Rivian, and a commitment from many auto manufacturers to change from traditional vehicle platforms to EVs, your facility will likely need to accommodate these new vehicles soon. While a move to EVs may reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, electrical infrastructure improvements may become necessary. So, is your facility ready for the coming EV wave?

Facility Considerations

 A few questions a facility manager may want to consider to prepare their facility for onsite charging are:

• Can our current electrical distribution system support my future EV charging needs?
• Do we want to offer EV charging for free or at a cost to those who park at our facility?
• Will EVs be implemented as a fleet solution or only for employee parking/charging?
• Can onsite EV charging offset some of the costs of a traditional vehicle fleet program?

While many buildings have robust electrical distribution systems, some may operate at or near peak capacity. Therefore, it may be advisable to have a comprehensive load study performed prior to planning for new installations. Adding additional electrical capacity may be an option to give your site the needed bandwidth to install multiple chargers. Alternatively, installing [simple_tooltip content=’Solar energy begins with the sun. Solar panels (also known as “PV panels”) are used to convert light from the sun, which is composed of particles of energy called “photons,” into electricity that can be used to power electrical loads.’]solar PV panels[/simple_tooltip] or upgrading older lighting systems may be a way to offset the energy needs of a new EV charging system. Sub-metering of charging stations can also be a solution to help determine electricity costs.

If your facility is in a high-traffic area or offers public parking, installing EV chargers may be a means of opening your doors to new customers. EV charging can be provided as a free service or generate revenue for your facility, with many charging stations offering payment processing options for users.

Fleet EVs have come into focus as the future of commercial vehicles recently. With operation costs much lower, fleet EVs can offer an appealing option.

When planning for a fleet EV charging system, charging durations, eventual fleet size, and charging frequency should all be considerations.

Where to Start? 

If EVs are in your company’s future, now may be the time to start planning for charging installations. A facility electrical load assessment and equipment survey can help determine if service upgrades are required. Additionally, state and federal tax incentives may be available to help offset the cost of new chargers and electrical wiring. With an entire team of solutions engineers, account managers, and electricians, ColonialWebb can help you determine costs, benefits, and return on investment for upgrading your facility to accommodate electric vehicles.