The former CEO of Worcester Bosch, Richard Soper CBE, is predicting a renewed interest in indoor air quality amongst homeowners, residents and developers.
According to Richard, who is supporting the launch of Unico Systems’ small duct heating, cooling and ventilation into the UK, now is the time for merchants and their trade customers to explore new technologies and to be a lot more vocal about indoor air quality to those outside of the industry.
He said: “We’re all spending much more time at home due to Covid-19 and having had some incredibly hot days in Spring people are already looking towards yet another record Summer and considering how to improve conditions in the home. Both air conditioning and filtration are common in cars, but with the ban on non-essential travel in effect even this has been out of bounds for most of us.
“With the UK set to get even hotter over the coming years demand for the type of climate control and filtration currently only found in cars is only going to increase.”
Richard continued: “There are HVAC options out there that are both cost-comparative, more effective and a lot quieter than traditional split systems and the latest plugin options.”
Another driver of increased demand for improved indoor air quality is its ability to combat illness and allergen causing bacteria and microbes.
Richard commented: “We now have systems that can provide year-round ventilation, an increasing necessity in air-tight homes, which according to a report last year saw 3.5 times the levels of indoor air pollution compared to outdoor. Coupled with additional filtration and electric air cleaners homeowners and developers have the opportunity to kill and remove disease and allergen inducing bugs and microbes in the home.”
One installer who has already seen demand for HVAC solutions in response to health concerns is David Jackson, owner of Response Mechanical Services. David said: “We’re predicting that health and wellbeing will be an increasing driver for installs in the coming months and years. Even before coronavirus we were seeing demand for improved air quality, particularly in offices which are often subject to annual flu and cold outbreaks, as well as in homes with families looking to reduce the impact of long-term health conditions such as multiple sclerosis and asthma.”
Richard concluded: “IAQ will be an integral part of making the places we work and live safer in a post Coronavirus world. Understanding and being vocal about the types of HVAC technologies that can help improve indoor environments is key.”
