The COVID-19 pandemic has introduced a plethora of changes to our daily lives, from the health measures we take, to the places we go, to the altered schedules we now follow. But one of the biggest adjustments for adults has been the switch to working from home (WFH).
WFH has introduced many positive changes such as saving gas and money, a more flexible schedule, and a better work-life balance. In fact, a Gallup poll showed that 60 percent of U.S. workers would like to continue working from home even once restrictions are lifted. But with increased time being spent in the home and the virus still spreading, working homeowners are looking for what they can do to increase comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) while still maintaining low costs.
Homeowners Are Noticing Subpar Performance in Their HVAC Systems
Before getting into solutions, we must first understand the overarching problem: your HVAC system. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and it’s the main source of your home’s temperature and air quality. With people now spending up to eight more hours a day in their homes, they are increasingly experiencing inefficient and overworked systems, sky-high energy bills, and insufficient IAQ. Although many other industries saw a significant decrease in business during the heart of the pandemic, HVAC technicians actually saw an uptick in service calls due to the overworked systems, according to an Interplay Learning article.
Similarly, GM of Hetter Heating & Cooling, Mike Graessle, explained that once warmer temperatures arrived, business rapidly picked up. “If they were home, they wanted to be comfortable!”
Temperatures are also starting to rise right now with the change in season, and putting off AC repairs is no longer a viable option. HVAC system efficiency depends on home design, square footage, and climate, but there are simple improvements that can be made to combat these newfound issues.
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The Importance of Indoor Air Quality with COVID
While healthy IAQ has always been important, consumers are starting to make it more of a priority in an effort to ward off the Coronavirus. According to a CDC site on improving ventilation, viral particles are spread more easily indoors and “ventilation system upgrades can increase the delivery of clean air and dilute potential contaminants.”
So how can homeowners make these improvements and prevent COVID transmission? While washing hands and disinfecting surfaces is helpful, you should also consider installing a high-performance air purification system, such as the Aerus Air Scrubber. The Air Scrubber eliminates over 99% of all surface and airborne contaminants faster than traditional air purifiers, making it fall under the highest efficiency filter category. And if you’re feeling uneasy about people coming into the home, don’t worry -- our technicians are taking safety precautions such as wearing masks and gloves, sanitizing tools, and wiping down iPads after each home visit.
Creating Comfort in New Spaces
In addition to upgrading to healthier air, remote workers are looking for the best ways to maintain comfort. Similar to this basement turned man cave, you may have turned your spare bedroom or basement into a makeshift office. But whether your newfound workspace doesn’t have heating/cooling or if your current system is inefficient, you should definitely consider installing an advanced HVAC unit, such as a high-velocity system.
High-velocity systems are perfect for those spending more time at home. They are extremely quiet, use less electricity (and therefore save money), and require a non-intrusive installation process -- so you will keep comfortable all day and won’t be bothered during all those meetings! See an expert’s take on what makes high velocity unique.
If you’re in the 60 percent of people who would like to continue working from home, then healthy air quality and quiet, efficient HVAC systems are more important than ever. Getting a high-quality HVAC system will save you money, keep you comfortable and healthy, and give you overall peace of mind.
