It’s vital that the air we breathe is safe and clean. The Air Quality Health Index provides up-to-date information on outdoor air pollution levels and gives guidance on when outdoor activities should be restricted. While outdoor air quality is important, the air quality indoors is also critical; not only do we tend to spend most of our time inside, but there are also several indoor air contaminants that can impact our health. COVID-19 has shed light on the importance of proper ventilation. The virus is spread via respiratory fluids that are created when an infected individual breathes, talks/shouts, sings, sneezes, or coughs. The chances of circulating COVID-19 increase when someone who is infected with the virus is in an enclosed area with poor air circulation for a prolonged period.
To help reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19, the Government of Canada recommends consulting a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional who can assess if your current HVAC system is appropriate for your space based on the activities performed in that space, the number of occupants in that space, and the amount of time the space is occupied. They can also determine if your system is operating properly, if it needs adjustments, and if the highest-rated filters are being used.
The federal government is punctuating the importance of proper ventilation with a proposed refundable tax credit: the Small Businesses Air Quality Improvement Tax Credit. Under the proposed credit, the government would refund 25 per cent for expenses related to boosting indoor air quality to help make ventilation and air filtration improvements more affordable for small businesses. The credit would be applied to eligible expenses up to $10,000 per location or $50,000 total (or a tax credit of $2500 per location or $12,500 total) incurred between September 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022, that are related to purchasing or improving mechanical HVAC systems. Expenses related to standalone air filtering units that use high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters would also be included.
You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Arpi’s North would be happy to help ensure the air in your building is safe for all occupants. If you’re looking fora commercial HVAC company in Edmonton to assist you, contact us today!
