Argentina. The Argentine Chapter of ASHRAE made public its position on the use of air conditioners in times of Covid-19. Headed by its president, Pablo Echevarría, the chapter shared a document related to the prohibition of the use of air conditioning equipment in summer. Here's the statement:
Given the journalistic versions that emerged on the day of the date (October 21) and disseminated massively, the Argentine Chapter of the American Association of Engineers in Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, ASHRAE Argentina, sets its position on this issue of public interest.
ASHRAE is a global professional society of more than 57,000 members founded in 1894, committed to serving humanity by developing the sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration.
On the recommendation of the ASHRAE Epidemic Task Force regarding the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the operation of HVAC HVAC HVAC systems and facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, ASHRAE management has approved the following two statements:
- Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is likely enough that airborne exposure to the virus needs to be controlled. Changes in the operation of buildings, including air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems and installations, can reduce exposures by air.
- Ventilation and filtration facilitated by air conditioning, heating and ventilation systems and installations can reduce the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 in the air and therefore the risk of airborne transmission. Unconditioned spaces can cause thermal stress in life-threatening people and reduce their resistance to infection. In general, stopping HVAC, heating and ventilation systems and installations is not a recommended measure to reduce transmission of the virus.
It must be differentiated between units without air renewal (commonly called splits) and central equipment with outdoor air intakes for air renewal, equipped with high-efficiency filters with the ability to retain viruses and bacteria; And where it is possible and highly recommended the installation of UV-C germicidal lamps.
The dangerous thing is to keep the windows closed and the environment without air renewal, not the use of the equipment.
Another advantage of air conditioning is humidity control. Contamination control studies indicate that the optimal zone for the reduction of infections caused by viruses is between 45 and 60% of Relative Humidity, this being the humidity range that is achieved with air conditioning.
For all the above we want to make it clear that air conditioning equipment should not be considered as an aggravating factor of the transmission of the virus but on the contrary, properly used can help mitigate the spread of the disease in buildings.
Finally let them know that portable air purifying equipment equipped with HEPA filters and germicidal lamps that can be used in any type of environment as a complement to the air conditioning equipment is available in the Argentine market.
ASHRAE has developed proactive guidance to help address CONCERNS about COVID19 as it pertains to the operation and maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that is available in https://www.ashrae.org/covid19 and https://ashraeargentina.com
