Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many eyes have turned to buildings’ HVAC systems to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus indoors. There are a range of options designed to prevent the virus from traveling through a system. But how effective are they? At the SMACNA Edge event this fall, Steve Taylor, principal of Taylor Engineering in Alameda, California, attempted to answer that question.
One of the biggest questions to be answered: Which is better at preventing the spread of viruses — filtration or outside air? Taylor said there is plenty of evidence that more frequent air changes help, but that air doesn’t have to come from the outside. A study of the flu offers some insight into which of the two is more effective. This study finds that filters are the best defense. And MERV 13 filters work as well as higher level filters.