COVID-19 - News

The pandemic and shift to home dining and takeout changed the recipe for the food supply chain. Here’s how food companies are devouring new challenges. As more food travels directly to consumers rather than moving on pallets from distribution centers to stores, maintaining the cold chain becomes more complicated and challenging. Restrictions "One reason is a shortage of technicians who have earned the necessary certifications in these systems," says Dana Krug, Vice President and Gen...

Like never before, facility operators are working to improve the quality of the air in their building. While ventilation – or air changes per hour inside a building – play a critical role in this effort, it’s often thought that increased ventilation is too costly. Luckily, that’s not true. In fact, residents can simultaneously ventilate their building, reduce energy costs and future-proof the building for unforeseen pandemics. How? By incorporating energy recovery ventil...

SPX Corporation announced that it has completed the acquisition of Cincinnati Fan & Ventilator Co., Inc. (“Cincinnati Fan”), a leader in engineered air quality solutions, including blowers and critical exhaust systems.  Welcoming note “We are very excited to welcome Cincinnati Fan to the SPX team,” said Gene Lowe, President, and CEO of SPX. “Bringing together Cincinnati Fan’s high-performance, engineered air quality solutions with SPX’s globa...

As winter sets in and the days get darker, many residents are probably thinking about ways to keep their homes warm and cozy over the harsh cold weather season. For those who are able to work from home under the UK government’s latest COVID-19 guidance, more time at home also means they’re using more energy to power their devices, boil the kettle, cook meals and keep the lights switched on. All of this, of course, impacts the power bills, as well as the carbon footprint. SO Energy...

In early 2021 schools and businesses across the country continued to reopen even as the Delta variant of COVID-19 emerged in the U.S. This created school and workplace safety concerns. We covered topics that stressed the importance of air purification to restore worker confidence. We also discussed how schools used funds from the American Rescue Plan to address aging mechanical systems, and we ended with a call to businesses to raise their IAQ standards to keep occupants safe. Let’s take a...

Resideo Technologies Inc., a foremost global provider of home comfort and security solutions and distributor of commercial and residential security and audio-visual products, recently hosted its 32nd annual CONNECT event. The event brings together security and HVAC customers for training, community service, new product, and technology announcements, and to celebrate partner achievements.   "Resideo continues to invest in resources to help our professionals keep pace with the consumer, stay...

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for transforming health and well-being with its people-first approach to buildings, organizations and communities, announced that it has crossed the three billion square-foot mark of spaces enrolled in WELL. Expansion of WELL's building area In the past year, the building area applying WELL offerings has tripled from one billion square feet to more than three billion square feet of space, so that current WELL strategies sup...

With lockdown measures further easing across England – including allowing people back inside restaurants and pubs – the British Medical Association (BMA) has raised concerns that many premises may not be sufficiently ventilated to prevent airborne transmission of Covid-19. Calling for the Government to issue ‘explicit specifications’ on ventilation requirements for pubs, bars and restaurants, workplaces, and other public settings as they welcome the public back in...

Greenheck, the pioneer in air movement and provider of the most comprehensive selection of products for commercial HVAC systems, announced the incorporation of patented Northern Light® UV-C technology into its line of AMPLIFY™ overhead HVLS fans today.  “We’re excited to add this technology to our AMPLIFY overhead fans,” said Tim Busby, Greenheck General Manager, Fans, adding “This applied innovation will truly make a difference in indoor spaces....

EffectiV HVAC reinforces its position as a pioneer in IAQ innovation as the company announces its 3-in-1 solution has been verified by industry-recognized expert Innovative Bioanalysis as an effective solution in containing the spread of COVID-19 after being tested against the virus.  Typically installed in the ceiling and designed to treat air before it enters the room, EffectiV HVAC’s UV diffusers use the latest cutting-edge technology by combining low-pressure drop MERV-9 filtrati...

The Baltimore Aircoil Company’s (BAC) ENDURADRIVE Fan System ensures unmatched peace of mind in the operation of mission-critical cooling applications through a dramatically simplified design. The ENDURADRIVE Fan System features permanent magnet, direct-drive technology, in which the fan motor is directly coupled to the fan, eliminating the need for intermediary moving parts like gears or belts. The advanced design is specifically engineered so that the motor, VFD, and cooling tower work...

Many users breathed a collective sigh of relief as 2021 began even as users remained cautious about the future. However, 2021 brought new challenges with COVID-19 including new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus Other indoor air quality concerns resulted from buildings left empty during shutdowns. That included the growth of mold and bacteria like Legionella. Aging infrastructure and mechanical systems in schools also concerned many Americans in 2021 and we provided advice to administrators on ho...

Aspire at CityPlace, a brand-new ultra-luxury apartment and townhome community developed by Commercial Investment Properties (CIP) in suburban St. Paul, Minnesota, will open to residents in June with a state of the art system designed to continuously clean the air and surfaces throughout the common areas. The buildings are installing CASPR disinfection technology in all three elevators and common areas including the grand, two-story lobby with sunken lounge, 24-Hour fitness center, entertainme...

Phononic’s Intelligent Actively-Cooled Tote was recently featured in the July issue of Frozen and Refrigerated Buyer magazine. From the article: “COVID-19 accelerated e-commerce food purchases, but refrigerated and frozen fulfillment is often executed poorly. Food safety, product handing and cold chain integrity all need improvement. Final mile to the consumer’s door is especially complex and costly.”

The European Commission has once again recognized Viessmann as a pioneer in sustainable environmental management. The company has been using the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), the world’s most comprehensive and sophisticated system for sustainable environmental management for more than 25 years. Viessmann was one of the first businesses to adopt EMAS. With its two production plants at the company’s headquarters in Allendorf (Eder), Viessmann has been an...

Indoor air quality is critical to the health and safety of building occupants. The threat of airborne viruses, like SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, only highlights the need for proper IAQ. The path towards creating a safe indoor environment involves inspection and testing. However, not all commercial IAQ testing companies are equal. Many of these IAQ testing companies in Massachusetts outsource their field crews. It is far better to use a company that employs its field technicians. Better stil...

During the online meeting of the Eurovent Product Group ‘Energy Recovery Components’ (PG-ERC) on 16 November 2021, the participants unanimously elected Thomas Richter (Head of Product Management, Hoval), former Vice-Chairman of the group, as its new Chairman. Nomination approval The nomination of Mr. Richter was endorsed by 100% of PG-ERC participants. He will succeed Peter Mueller, who served as PG-ERC Chairman for four years. Thomas Richter, who is the Head of Product Managemen...

Molekule is bringing its Air Mini+ and Air Pro air purifiers, powered by patented PECO technology, to the United Kingdom and Europe for the first time. Molekule, the globally renowned air purification solutions company that reinvented air purification with its ground-breaking PECO technology, has announced that its award-winning air purifiers will be available to consumers in the United Kingdom and across Europe, directly via Molekule’s website. Expansion in UK and Europe Molekule&rsquo...

Hospital air quality affects the health of staff, patients, and visitors. Healthcare facilities managers looking to keep their buildings safe must focus on providing clean air. This helps reduce the spread of viruses and prevents the growth of mold and bacteria. Doing so requires a prescriptive strategy that includes monitoring as well as remediation. Hospital air quality is critical during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. It keeps patients safe and gives staff confidence that their he...

The pandemic not only raised concerns about public health but also increased public awareness of the impacts our buildings have on the planet. A healthcare facility’s purpose is to serve the health of the community and promote public wellness. Hospitals account for 4.4% of global emissions, so to truly protect the health of the community, healthcare leaders need to make sure they are also protecting the planet. Public Health Issue The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)...

The worldwide pandemic has focused considerable attention on indoor air quality and the transmission of viruses in enclosed spaces. When researchers found that airborne droplets from coughing and sneezing helped spread SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the COVID-19 disease, people worked to find solutions. What’s more, many companies purported to have ways of disinfecting spaces, ranging from “miracle” sprays to high-tech hand wipes. The only way to rid indoor spaces of airbor...

ARC Thermal (ARC Thermal Products) has launched WHIZ (Wireless Heated Infrared Zone) heating solution, which provides thermal warmth for individual workstations, in factories, warehouses, distribution centers, and other industrial buildings. This is a cost-effective, energy-efficient, low-carbon, heating solution. Heating poorly insulated, large industrial spaces has always been a problem, particularly as heat rises, where there are high ceilings. WHIZ (Wireless Heated Infrared Zone) system T...

Aircuity, the front-runner in creating healthy and sustainable buildings, released new data showing that its clients in the life sciences industry are achieving record-setting levels of energy savings and environmental quality in their critical laboratory spaces and across their portfolios. According to the analysis, more than 50 life sciences organizations are using Aircuity’s platform to save 158,353,872 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually, while simultaneously saving more than one...

Poor building management has severe consequences for building occupants. This has always been true but in a post-pandemic world, business owners and facilities managers must respond to myriad challenges presented by chemical and biological contaminants. That is the conclusion of a bipolar ionization white paper recently published by the Continental Automated Building Association (CABA). The report also shows that bipolar ionization reduces airborne S. aureus concentrations by approximately 99.8...

Environmental health technology company CASPR Group is pleased to announce Derek Blount as its Chief Executive Officer. Blount joined CASPR earlier in the year as Chief Operating Officer to sharpen operations, help streamline product supply chains and prepare the company for its next stage of growth. Role and Responsibility Blount succeeds former CEO Scott Wheeler, who will continue to support the company as an addition to CASPR’s board of directors. Blount will guide CASPR Group as it...

Winter is right around the corner and with it comes freezing temperatures, frequent illness, and dry indoor air. If you struggle with discomfort during the winter in your Canoga Park home, you may benefit from investing in a humidification system. Our professionals at Tassio Temperature Control are here to inform you about home humidification, the different systems available, and the benefits they can provide during the winter season. What Is Humidity? Humidity is a measure of h...

FC Bayern and Viessmann are expanding their international partnership. The company is also the official climate partner in Europe in the areas of heating, air conditioning, cooling systems, and fan technologies of the German record champion after both sides have already been cooperating successfully in the Asian region for several years. The expansion of the partnership includes Spain, France, Benelux, Poland, and Russia. Oliver Kahn, CEO of FC Bayern, "FC Bayern will benefit immensely from the...

Johnson Controls, the global front-runner for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, extended its collaboration with the University of North Dakota (UND) through a new $219M project to revitalize campus housing. The ‘Buildings-as-a-Service’ (BaaS) project incorporates the risk reduction mechanisms of Public-Private Partnership (P3) contracts so that UND provides monthly payments for the upgrades and services rather than providing valuable upfront capital for the project. Powe...

Johnson Controls, the global front-runner for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announced that its OpenBlue digital platform technologies will be rolled out across Derwent London's portfolio. This rollout will drive the digital transformation of Derwent London's estate, enabling new possibilities for operational efficiency, occupant experiences, and sustainability in one dynamic solution.    net-zero carbon development After a successful pilot at its White Collar Fac...

Carrier invites hospitality professionals, including owners, operators, managers, and engineers, to a global webinar focused on delivering the latest insights in creating safer, healthier hotels. Industry professionals can register for the November 17, 11 a.m. ET webinar. Carrier is part of Carrier Global Corporation, the foremost global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable, and intelligent building and cold chain solutions. Webinar schedule The hour-long webinar will present the latest,...