Air Conditioning – From Comfort to Health
Americans spend “an average of 87% of their time in enclosed buildings,” and air conditioning has been the transformative force in shaping the indoor environments we inhabit today.
Originally designed to provide relief from the sweltering heat, air conditioning systems have evolved over the decades to not only cool but also to clean and maintain healthy indoor air quality. The journey from enhancing comfort to becoming a crucial component of health and safety reflects both societal changes and advancements in technology.
Willis Carrier, often referred to as the father of modern air conditioning, invented the first electrical air conditioning system in 1902. Initially, air conditioning was primarily focused on controlling temperature and humidity, bringing relief to spaces where extreme weather conditions were a challenge.
Air Quality as a Condition of Employment
As air conditioning systems became more widespread in the mid-20th century, their impact on indoor air quality became increasingly apparent. Businesses and industries began recognizing the importance of maintaining a comfortable and healthy working environment. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems started incorporating air filters to trap dust and pollutants, improving the overall cleanliness of the air. Clean air became a condition of indoor employment, not only for the well-being of employees but also for increased productivity.
Pathogens to Come
Today the importance of air quality has taken center stage, with a shift from comfort-focused air conditioning to health-centric protection against airborne pathogens.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the critical role air conditioning plays in protecting public health. HVAC systems equipped with advanced filtration and ventilation capabilities became instrumental in mitigating the spread of airborne threats. Indoor air quality became a matter of life and death, prompting a reevaluation of building design and HVAC standards and the inclusion of leading edge technology to fight airborne pathogens.
Technological Advancements for Healthy Air
Buildings can be key promoters of health and well-being since most people spend a majority of their time indoors. Today’s HVAC systems are equipped with a mix of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and ultraviolet (UV) light sterilization to ensure the air circulating indoors is not only comfortable but also free from harmful particles and pathogens. The critical part to advancing the healthy technology is to keep air super clean, but not at the expense of decades of HVAC efficiency and environmental advances.
The application of conventional UVC germicidal light is primarily done in spaces not occupied by people. Far-UVC light applications are ideal for air filtration systems because it possesses the ability to kill pathogens while being less harmful to human and animal cells than conventional UVC light.
As we continue to navigate the challenges of an ever-changing world, the role of air conditioning in promoting healthy indoor environments remains paramount. The ongoing fusion of technology, innovation, and a growing understanding of the link between air quality and health ensures that the evolution of air conditioning will continue to be shaped by our commitment to well-being.
Safe, healthy spaces start with Far-UVC
