Coronavirus Coverage

Restaurant IAQ Standard Aims to Minimize Infectious Aerosols

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

Mechanical engineer and ASHRAE volunteer Meghan McNulty discusses the group’s recommendations for healthier indoor air.

Skilled Workers Struggle with Post-Pandemic Stress

layandahhan@achrnews.com (Layan Dahhan) — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Working in the trades already comes with its fair share of stress, but for the last couple years, the industry has also had to deal with COVID-19, supply chain issues, the material shortage, rising gas prices, and much more.

The Cold Chain Delivers Life-Saving Vaccines

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Trane and Danfoss have joined forces to play a critical role in maintaining the cold chain and delivering life-saving COVID-19 vaccines.

Biological Viruses Versus Computer Viruses

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Biological viruses have always been a potent threat to humanity, as historic pandemics have proved. No wonder viruses became an ideal weapon model in a totally different world — a world of programming.

Pandemic Created New Markets for UV-C

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 07:00:00 -0400

When the coronavirus pandemic struck, the interest in UV light skyrocketed. Some believe UV-C will become widely viewed as essential to HVACR systems, the way filters are now.

ABM Supports EPA's New IAQ Guidelines, “Clean Air in Buildings Challenge”

Tue, 19 Apr 2022 12:00:00 -0400

ABM announced its enthusiastic support of the new Clean Air in Buildings Challenge and will continue its commitment to safeguard the places and spaces people occupy every day.

Governor Proposes Grant Program for HVAC Upgrades at Schools

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0400

After years of neglect, school districts and local governments are finally investing in the HVAC systems at their facilities. Now, one state governor wants to keep the money flowing with grants marked for HVAC upgrades.

NADCA and Global Biorisk Advisory Council Publish Paper on Air Quality

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 11:40:40 -0400

NADCA announced the publication of “Biological Air Quality Considerations for Non-Healthcare, as Built Environments,” a scientific paper developed in partnership with the GBAC.

Feds to Step Up Indoor Air Quality Efforts

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 11:00:00 -0400

The White House’s IAQ initiative was broadly outlined in its 97-page National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.

HVAC Recruiting and Staffing in a “Post-COVID” World

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Our lives have been altered permanently by COVID, and one of the biggest changes is work from home. The big takeaway for us is that an overwhelming majority of our customers will be remote.

Pandemic Created Consumer Awareness, Increased Demand for Indoor Air Quality Solutions

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:00:00 -0400

It has now been two years since the pandemic brought IAQ to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Manufacturers are stepping up with an array of products to clean and monitor the air people breathe.

University Study Shows Coronavirus Can Be Detected in HVAC Systems

Sat, 26 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0500

High-profile universities have released studies on how to prevent disease transmission through the air. One such study may provide the ability to take early action in the future to prevent the spread of an array of airborne ailments.

Schools Look to Spend Money on HVAC Upgrades

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

The pandemic increased awareness of the poor state of HVAC systems in many schools. Now, money for school IAQ projects is becoming available from a variety of sources.

Improving Indoor Air Quality: Protecting the Air We Breathe

Sat, 29 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

IAQ has become a very important topic as the COVID-19 global pandemic has continued to evolve.

Magid Releases Safety Matters Guide on Mask Effectiveness

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 13:47:33 -0500

To help educate safety managers and others on mask safety and choosing the right masks, Magid released a comprehensive guide as part of its “Safety Matters” series.

Supreme Court Halts Vaccine-or-Test Rule

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 07:00:00 -0500

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of a stay of the mandate from OSHA, which would have applied to businesses with over 100 employees and affected more than 80 million workers.

Pandemic Prompts Rescheduling of Solar Forum

Thu, 06 Jan 2022 16:33:46 -0500

The Solar Forum, a conference designed to introduce HVACR contractors to solar power, was postponed for 10 months due to the worldwide surge in coronavirus infections.

The Top HVACR Articles of 2021

Thu, 30 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

The more things change… the more they stay the same. The ACHR NEWS released its list of the most popular articles posted in 2021.

Workplace Vaccine-or-Test Mandate On Again

mattjachman@achrnews.com (Matt Jachman) — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 07:00:00 -0500

The Biden administration’s coronavirus vaccine mandate for employers with 100 or more workers is on again — for now.

Homeowners Look for Individual Comfort Amidst Pandemic

layandahhan@achrnews.com (Layan Dahhan) — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

If zoning technology was available before the pandemic, why has it taken so long for it to become an option that homeowners now consider?

COVID Safety Mandates Will Create Chaos for HVAC Industry

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

Courts have so far halted the OSHA mandate, the Medicate mandate, and the executive order. But does that mean the mandates are gone for good?

Construction Group, Others Sideline Federal Vax Requirements For Now

robertbeverly@achrnews.com (Robert Beverly) — Sun, 12 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

Preliminary injunctions have sidelined both the OSHA emergency temporary standard and the Executive Order.

Construction Industry Struggles With Mental Health Issues

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

In 2020, the CDC found that men working in construction had a suicide rate that was about four times higher than the general population.

Four Things 2021 Taught HVAC Contractors

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0500

As we wind down 2021, we take stock in what a great year the HVAC industry experienced.

For Federal Contractors, Vax Requirement Extends Through a Company and Beyond

robertbeverly@achrnews.com (Robert Beverly) — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0500

For companies doing work for the federal government, the Biden Administration’s vaccine requirements are stricter.

ASHRAE Expert Talks Future of Indoor Air Quality, Energy Control Post-Pandemic

mariataylor@achrnews.com (Maria Taylor) — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0500

The sudden onset of COVID-19 catapulted IAQ into the spotlight. What will happen to IAQ enthusiasm when the pandemic fades?

The Pandemic: Unforeseen Events and Unforced Errors

ralaniz@alaniz-law.com (Richard D. Alaniz) — Sat, 27 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0500

The coronavirus pandemic has been one of those once-in-a-lifetime events that no one, especially employers, ever wants to see again.

Experts Expect Interest in IAQ to Continue after COVID

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0500

The coronavirus pandemic increased consumer awareness of IAQ to its highest level. The question now is, will this elevated interest in IAQ continue after the pandemic ends?

OSHA Offers Vaccination Detail, Loses First Court Test

robertbeverly@achrnews.com (Robert Beverly) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 07:00:00 -0500

Thanks to a stay issued by a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judge in New Orleans, the first volley of what is likely to be a multistep judicial battle puts the OSHA emergency temporary standard in limbo roughly 48 hours after the agency had released it.

Lack of Microchips Creates Big Challenges for HVAC Industry

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 11:00:00 -0400

The microchip shortage creates challenges for HVAC contractors as they explain to customers why they have to wait longer and pay more for equipment.