Importance of HVAC in A Workplace

Designed for those who are not familiar with the term HVAC, it simply stands for three things. These are Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. These three elements are what makes up for a comfortable room temperature. Ultimately, HVAC systems aim to improve the quality of the air you breathe. We may not notice it quite often, but HVAC systems are almost present wherever we go. It is present in our homes, in our workplaces, even the shopping malls we visit.

This leads us to the question; how does it improve the air we breathe? Simple, these three things are the constituents that are responsible for the hotness or coldness of a room. They also hold the power to control humidity or to dehumidify a room. To summarize, its main goal line is to help maintain adequate indoor air quality through proper ventilation with filtration to be able to provide thermal comfort.

How does HVAC benefit workplaces?

When we think of a workplace, the first thing that pops into our minds is an environment that’s easy, cool, and a space with a good ambiance. This kind of atmosphere is ideal for work. It can help boost an employee’s productivity, safety, and the overall mood for work. A workplace’s environment is one of the most important aspects of office workers. Ultimately, employees need a pleasant work atmosphere in order to function well throughout the day.

On the other hand, imagine a workplace with bad ventilation, either too hot (it’s going to make employees sweat), or too cold (employees will be shivering while working). It doesn’t paint a good picture, doesn’t it? Employees will either be too occupied tending to their own personal discomfort rather than working on their tasks.

This is why HVAC is an important aspect of a workplace. HVAC systems also contribute to the comfortability of every employee. Moreover, it allows occupants to have better performance gains, as well as health gains. Not only do HVAC systems make the atmosphere of the room more comfortable, but it also removes contaminants and dust from the air by using filters.

 

Different kinds of HVAC systems.

There are different kinds of tools and mediums that can help regulate the air in the room. HVAC systems also depend on what kind of environment you are living in. If you’re living or working in a place where it’s too cold, heaters are a better fit to balance the air in the room. Meanwhile, if you’re in a tropical place, it’s ideal to have air conditioning to make the place more comfortable.

To sum it up, HVAC systems come in different shapes and sizes. Here are some of them.

Heating Systems

These are instruments used to heat up space. Heating systems don’t just come in one shape, but there are different kinds to choose from. A furnace is a heating device that will run on gas or propane. On the other hand, boilers can function with the use of gas or oil to heat water. Meanwhile, with the use of a radiant floor, it has the power to heat any kind of concrete. This type of device is most commonly used at home. One type of heating system which we are all familiar with are fireplaces. These are mostly used as home decor; however, it is mostly saturated in homes that are located in places with chilly weather.

Cooling Systems

One of the most used tools to provide cool air is air conditioners. Take note that air conditioners come in different shapes and sizes. An air conditioner’s main purpose is to pull out cool air to ventilate the space. These devices are popularly used in homes that are located in tropical areas, office spaces, shopping malls, and different kinds of establishments. On the other hand, the use of evaporated coolers is also a popular choice for places with dryer climates.

Humidifiers

There are two types of humidifiers. One type are humidifiers which are used to add moisture to the air. And the second are dehumidifiers that are used to draw in warm air currents. These humidifying devices are options if heating systems and cooling systems are out of the picture. Ultimately, they still add quality into the air we breathe in a certain space.

Devices for HVAC system maintenance.

Fluke tools are one of the most rugged devices that are used for troubleshooting. However, these devices are also known to be flexible. Yes, they can withstand to work under pressure even in harsh environments. But ultimately, it can also save your device from early deterioration. This is because Fluke tools are best used at early detection of faults, not only in machinery, but in different kinds of devices.

In light of HVAC tools, Fluke can be a reliable tool for HVAC maintenance. Proven the fact that air quality plays a big role in workplaces. The best tools should also be used to maintain these systems.

The Fluke 985 Air Particle Counter

Is one of the most ideal tools to be used when detecting HVAC deficiencies. If you’re an HVAC maintenance professional, then you’re going to love this Fluke tool. One of the main contaminants of air quality comes from filters. However, with the use of the Fluke 985 Air Particle Counter, you could easily detect filter faults and air quality investigations.

Fluke 985 Particle Counter’s best features:

  • Ultra-lightweight and ergonomic design for easy single-hand operation.
  • Ten hours of standard-use battery life to last a full work day.
  • Data can be viewed in traditional tabular or trend graph at the user’s preference.
  • Configurable display, sample methods, and alarm setting for sample size count (raw count, per cubic feet, cubic meter, or liter).
  • Administrator password control (optional) for added security.

The Fluke 971 Temperature Humidity Meter

Is a tool that understands that one of the most important aspects of air quality maintenance is temperature and humidity. This is also the perfect tool for HVAC maintenance technicians and professionals who are specialized to perform indoor air quality checks.

Its main features include:

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Temperature ranges from -20 °C to 60 °C (-4 °F to 140 °F)
  • Measures dew point and wet bulb
  • Relative humidity from 5 % to 95 %
  • Min/Max/Avg Data hold
  • Low battery indicator

If you want to maintain the air quality in your workspace, get the best tools for it from your trusted Fluke distributor here in the Philippines:

Fluke 971 Temperature Humidity Meter

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The Perfect Tool to Maintain and Improve Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare Centers

Monitoring air quality and assessing the level of contaminants in the air is not only important to all healthcare centers, but also in places we usually frequent. These places are shopping malls, schools, homes, hospitals, etc. We may not pay attention to it from time to time, but the air we breathe holds either positive or negative effects on our quality of life.

In light of hospitals and health care centers, it is a crucial aspect for them to have clean air for the benefit of injured patients, critical patients, or even visitors. Healthcare centers or hospitals should exude safety and cleanliness and this entails comfortable breathing grounds for visitors and patients. Thanks to technology, it is now achievable to monitor and maintain clean air. The best device to ensure quality air is with the use of the Fluke 985 Particle Counter. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Why is air quality so important in healthcare facilities?

The air we breathe goes directly to our lungs. This is a leeway for the air to also access our bloodstream and be carried to our internal organs. Therefore, inhaling air pollutants (whether indoor or outdoor) can be a result of health concerns such as asthma, cardiovascular diseases, or even cancer. 

In healthcare facilities, there are patients that are highly sensitive to bacteria. The smallest exposure can cause some patients disastrous health effects. This is why maintaining clean air inside hospitals and healthcare facilities is one of the top priorities of maintenance professionals. 

Impact of poor air quality in healthcare centers

Something that cannot be seen does not mean that it should be dismissed. It is undeniable that air makes a big impact on a person’s health. Maintaining air quality is an important aspect in places we usually visit. In light of healthcare centers, indoor air quality can either enhance a patient’s health or cause it to worsen one’s condition. We might not notice it immediately, but here are some of the health issues that come with harmful air contaminants.

Poor air quality can cause people:

  • Eye irritation 
  • Raspy throats
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • May increase fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Might inflame people with asthma
  • Can aggravate respiratory conditions 
  • It affects the heart and cardiovascular system
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing

Effects of good air quality in healthcare centers

On the other hand, there are benefits of breathing good quality air. Good air can result in remarkable health effects for people. According to Transport and Environment, a person inhales 15,000 liters of air every day. Think of it this way, if you are breathing bad quality air, that’s 15,000 liters of inhaling pollutants a day. That alone can cause serious damage to our bodies. Meanwhile breathing 15 thousand liters of clean air can result in a better quality of life. 

Breathing good quality air entails:

  • Good for digestive systems
  • Improves blood pressure
  • Improves heart rate
  • Strengthens your immune system 
  • Healthier for the lungs
  • Enhances your energy levels
  • Improves mental health and focus
  • Enhances your mood

Beating indoor air contaminants

In totality, it can pose as a difficult task to contain harmful airborne contaminants in a healthcare facility. But how do you beat something that you cannot see? How do you contain something that lives in the air we breathe? The first step to take is to actually detect these air impurities.  This is where the work of innovative technologies comes in. Fluke 985 Particle Counter can assess these air contaminants making it easier and more efficient for maintenance professionals to plan their next more. 

Things you can do to improve air quality in enclosed spaces

Having devices that help you maintain air quality such as the Fluke 985 Particle Counter is one thing, but you also need to take action to actually gain quality air. 

Here are some things you can do:

  • AC Filters – Don’t dismiss your AC filters. They are one of the most common appliances at home, in the office, or even in buildings and establishments. Filters can become dirty and dustier in time when not cleaned and this could cause poor air quality performance. If you clean these filters, you’ll notice that the air conditioning will blow much cooler air. 
  • Every filter counts  – AC filters are only one part, but if you really want to improve the air quality, every appliance that has filters should be changed. This includes coffee filters, vacuum filters, clothes dryers, etc. These appliances’ filters are advisable to be changed at least once every month.
  • Cooking vents – Most pollutants usually come from the kitchen especially when you’re using gas stoves. Gas stoves can release toxic contaminants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. So it’s important to keep in mind to open windows, or air vents when cooking. If you’re cooking in an outdoor setting, then that’s much better to keep contaminants out of enclosed spaces.
  • Hospital vents – Installing High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA) can improve the movement of air particles. This can help contain infectious air particles.
  • Rugs and carpets – They contain the most dust particles when not cleaned. And these dust particles tend to stick to the air. Not cleaning rugs and carpets might irritate our senses and this will cause uncomfortability for you or for patients and other visitors. This is why healthcare centers (if you notice) do not have many rugs and carpets because they are a known holder of air contaminants.
  • Indoor plants – Having plants can help improve air quality in any space. Plants are natural air filters. They can improve the air you breathe, and at the same time, enhance the aesthetics of your homes, office, or spaces in general. 

Introducing, Fluke 985 Particle Counter

A promising tool to better air maintenance in all healthcare centers. The Fluke 985 Particle Counter is the most favorable choice for all HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) and IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) experts. This high-end device is the best solution for detecting harmful airborne particles. 

Some of its innovative features include:

  • Fluke’s particle counter can measure filter efficiency
  • It can monitor industrial cleanrooms
  • It is perfect for IAQ specialist since this device can pre-screen indoor air quality with ease 
  • This device can locate particle sources for remediation

Fluke tools are known for their durable and reliable nature. The Fluke 985 Particle Counter makes it easier for every professional to do tests quickly without getting lost with complicated navigation instructions. This device sports big screens, easy to understand buttons, and is built with lightweight features. Need to export data? This device is also equipped with effortless data transferring using a USB cable. 

Fluke 985  Particle Counter is successfully penetrating healthcare centers everywhere by promoting clean air. A sure tool that can benefit all maintenance professionals everywhere!

Shop Now: https://presidium.ph/product/985-airborne-particle-counter/

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