Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) News & Trends

Hospitals across Southwestern Pennsylvania are using a variety of cutting-edge technology in the battle against COVID-19. Trying to disinfect facilities and keep staff and patients safe is a top priority for administrators and some hospitals are trying brand new methods that employ different kinds of science and technology. Monongahela Valley Hospital is using ultraviolet light to help kill the coronavirus. ultraviolet disinfection system In late December, Mon Valley Hospital introduced...

Health & Safety always has and continues to be of utmost importance. HTS announces that it is certified as a COR™ compliant organization and has received the IHSA – Certificate of Recognition (COR™).  Thank you to the Health & Safety department and all the employees for working together to achieve this certification.

Nidec Leroy-Somer (Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding), the world specialist with a wealth of experience in drive solutions for industrial refrigeration, has for more than 40 years provided refrigeration professionals with its state-of-the-art and energy efficient motors, and speed drives to effectively enhance productivity of industrial refrigeration applications. IE5 synchronous PM motors Nidec Leroy-Somer’s latest development, the Dyneo+ range of IE5 synchronous reluctance permanent magnet (PM...

As a countermeasure against Japan's increasingly hot summers, Panasonic has introduced to the market a cooling mist solution to create cool spaces in outdoor environments. The Silky Fine Mist is a super fine dry mist that does not feel wet to the touch. Also recently, this cooling mist solution has begun to go beyond simply relieving heat stress and is being utilized for various applications, such as to create unique spaces for art, entertainment, and exquisite guest rooms in hotels and spa res...

When is the last time users had the air ducts cleaned? If they can’t remember, it’s probably been too long. The air ducts should be cleaned every three to five years in addition to the yearly maintenance of the heating and cooling system. Not sure if it’s time for air duct cleaning? Following are showing that these 5 signs that the air ducts are due for a cleaning: Unexplained High Energy Bill Over the years the Indianapolis area has had a few heatwaves and arctic winds...

Johnson Controls, the global front-runner for smart and sustainable buildings and the architect of OpenBlue connected solutions, has opened its new, state-of-the-art Ducted Systems Academy in Oklahoma City, OK, offering world-class commercial and residential HVAC training. The first-of-its-kind 30,000 square-foot training facility features two large classrooms and two extensive training labs, offering remote and hands-on classes, including virtual reality training. Real-Life Experience The vi...

RectorSeal, a globally renowned manufacturer of quality HVAC/R tools and accessories, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSW Industrials, Inc., has announced its acquisition of TRUaire, to provide residential and commercial grilles, registers, and diffusers to its expanding product line, designed for professional contractors. Following an integration period, the combined organization will operate with a unified market approach, giving distributors access to RectorSeal and TRUaire products. As maj...

A ductless heating and cooling system, or a mini-split, is a splendid choice for a Calabasas home and a worthwhile investment. It offers many benefits, and users can enjoy them all for years to come, if they maintain the system consistently.  As with any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, users need to protect their investment. By neglecting regular maintenance, users will shorten the system’s life span and greatly reduce how well it functions, as Tassio T...

The Federation of German Heating Industry (BDH) has expanded its organizational structure to include the new Energy Management Systems (EMS) department. On the agenda is the support of technological and market-relevant developments, as well as the political framework conditions in this topic area. “The expansion reflects the dynamic growth of networked systems, especially in single and two-family houses, but also in neighborhood solutions. The BDH member companies have been intensively in...

Semco Maritime has won a study to identify the break-even point of HVDC and HVAC transmission for a large-scale offshore wind farm. Large-scale offshore wind farms are trending up in size as well as distance from connection onshore these days. A key technological aspect that is heavily influenced by this change is the transmission system, i.e. the technology used to transmit the generated wind power to the connection point onshore. This topic is the backbone of the study that Semco Maritime has...

Recently, J&W Heating and Air and YORK® Factory Direct partnered with Building Homes for Heroes in Orange Park, Florida to gift a new YORK® HVAC system in the mortgage-free home of Army Specialist Alberto Diaz. Diaz joined the military in 2012 because he wanted to provide a better life for his family. While deployed in Afghanistan, his truck rolled over an IED, causing severe injuries, such as bleeding in his brain, nerve damage in his face, and posttraumatic stress disorder, among...

Viessmann has created an air ventilation solution to combat the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The company’s unique new hybrid ventilation unit, the Vitovent 200-P, provides closed rooms with constant air circulation of filtered air. This greatly reduces the risk of occupants breathing in contaminated aerosols which can spread across indoor spaces and hang in the air for hours, especially in winter when windows are more likely to be closed and heating operating. The Vitovent 200-P counter...

Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems (Bryant) launched an updated zoning sensor to be used with its flagship Evolution Zoning System. The sensor provides homeowners with a wall control featuring a new, contemporary design, with the ability to control an individual zone in the home’s Evolution zoning system. Bryant, an international supplier of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, a renowned global provider of healthy, safe a...

The State of Texas has taken a proactive approach to health and wellness in preparation for the 2021 congressional session to begin. After a process of analyzing various purification technologies, the State of Texas selected Eagle Disinfection Group to provide its university validated technology as an enhanced layer of protection for elected officials in the Senate, House, staff and the local Austin community from the harmful effects of COVID-19 and other dangerous pathogens. Commercially lice...

Filti, an air filtration startup that produces nanofiber materials for face masks and HVAC filters, officially announced the launch of its new NF95 Respirator. The pre-certified NF95 Respirators are constructed using the company's state-of-the-art nanofiber technology and is proven to filter 95% of aerosolized, airborne particles - like COVID-19 - moving through the material. Unlike a traditional N95 mask, the nanofiber material mechanically filters out pollutants as opposed to electrostaticall...

BrainBox AI, the pioneer provider of autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology for corporate and commercial real estate, is pleased to announce Houston-based Fortune Energy Partners as its first Master Systems Integrator, part of the company’s growing family of national and international commercial partners. BrainBox AI offers building owners a unique technology combining deep learning, cloud-based computing, and algorithms to support a self-operating building. Reduction Of Ener...

CoolSys - Refrigeration and HVAC Systems (CoolSys), parent to market-renowned refrigeration and HVAC service companies nationwide, has deployed several new technology initiatives to help combat global COVID-19 pandemic spread in recent months. Bipolar ionization Bipolar ionization is one of these technologies with the ability to create charged ions in the air to attach to airborne particles, increasing their size, and making them easier to trap with air filters. Scolari’s Food and Drug...

Roe Corporation, a privately held, real estate company, announces the launch of sales for what is believed to be the most sustainable condominium building ever built in New York City. Named, Charlotte of the Upper West Side, as a nod to the developer's daughter Charlotte and Generation Alpha, the nine-story ground-up was designed and engineered to exceed the energy and ventilation standards of the German-based Passive House Institute (www.phius.org). One of the first new residential buildings t...

Honeywell announces a new airborne particle analyzer that uses artificial intelligence and cloud computing to enable HVAC service providers and environmental testing professionals to better inform home and building owners of the quantity and type of particles present in the air. Airborne particles, allergens and spores affect the quality of life for more than 400 million people worldwide – for example, poor indoor air quality has been found to cause allergic rhinitis, which Americans spen...

Johnson Controls’ product managers have shared key insights about how YORK connected RTUs (rooftop units) feature remote monitoring capabilities and offer wizards to further aid in the RTU commissioning and start-up process. Remote Monitoring Connected RTUs are critical to the HVAC industry and can ensure easier installation and ongoing maintenance. Remote monitoring capabilities offered by YORK commercial HVAC systems help save time for contractors and offer peace of mind, and cost savi...

ASHRAE and the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) formalizing the organizations’ relationship. The MOU was signed by Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E., 2020-21 ASHRAE President and David Terry, NASEO Executive Director during a virtual signing ceremony on November 20. The agreement outlines how ASHRAE and NASEO will work cooperatively to promote the advancements of a more sustainable built environment through HVAC&R...

Armstrong Fluid Technology announced that the company has moved to a new expanded facility for European production and warehousing of circulator products. New Expanded Facility The new facility, located in Jimbolia, Romania, offers greater capacity for the production of Armstrong high-efficiency and standard wet rotor circulators. Supported by Armstrong’s global supply chain, the site will employ 65 team members dedicated to producing circulators for customers worldwide. Reflecting on t...

With effect from September 1st, 2021, the BDH (Federation of German Heating Industry) Board of Directors appointed Markus Staudt as the new General Manager at a board meeting. Markus Staudt succeeds Andreas Lücke, who has held the position of General Manager since 1993. “We are pleased about the order from Markus Staudt. We see this as a good basis for the successful continuation of the association work,” emphasizes BDH (Federation of German Heating Industry), President Uwe Glo...

Long-term care facilities for the elderly provide unique heating; ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) design challenges particularly when it comes to conditioning outdoor air ventilation loads. High levels of outdoor air ventilation designed to maintain proper indoor air quality for residents and staff adds to HVAC equipment size while year-round 24/7 operation translates into significant annual HVAC operating costs. System designers are challenged with minimizing these costs while still ma...

Registration is now open for the 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Winter Conference, slated to take place from February 9th to February 11th, 2021. The convenient online format of the conference will allow for global participation with a group of the world’s renowned presenters delivering timely and useful industry content. 2021 ASHRAE Virtual Conference “ASHRAE’s Virtual Winter Conference will include three-days packed with learning and live discussions from top experts,” said 2020...

Molekule, the front-runner in reinventing air purification, announced that its award-winning Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) air purification solutions will be distributed to consumers in the Korean market through an exclusive agreement with COSMO & COMPANY, Inc. Cosmo will oversee the distribution of Molekule products, including the award-winning Molekule Air Mini and Air Mini+, across numerous channels, including e-commerce, high-end retail department stores, and general electrical...

There’s been a flurry of activity on the drive to hit Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Government’s recently announced ‘Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution’ has pledged to implement the ‘Future Home Standard’ in the shortest possible timeline, extend the ‘Green Homes Grant’ for another year and aims to set out the ‘Heat and Buildings Strategy’ in 2021. However, confusion reigned, when due to a clerical error, a promi...

PuriFi Labs, who creates whole-building air and surface purification systems, has announced the formation of its new Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), comprised of prominent research experts and pioneers in the field of plasma physics. The SAB will help guide the company's journey toward cleaning indoor air of tested particulates, viruses, bacteria, odors, smoke, mold, ozone, and harmful chemicals. Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrati...

Extracting and filtering polluted air has been the expertise of Plymovent for over 45 years. As a result of the growing demand for solutions for clean air at work, Plymovent has expanded its headquarters in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. This expansion allows for greater efficiency and increased manufacturing capabilities to better respond to customers’ demands. Facility expansion The growing awareness for a healthy working environment and the strengthened regulations worldwide result in a g...

The nationwide lockdown in November, which was necessary due to the high number of infections in the second corona wave, has been accompanied by considerable restrictions. It is therefore all the more important to continue to secure the indispensable work in public institutions and especially, teaching in schools. In order to provide a decisive solution to the problem, Viessmann has developed a new air ventilation unit, the Vitovent 200-P. This is a unique hybrid ventilation unit that provides...