The use of copper ducting in ventilation and central air-conditioning networks promotes indoor air quality, said the International Copper Association (ICA), the apex body promoting the use of copper across various sectors.

“Indoor air quality is of important concern in the Middle East region, where large duration of time is spent indoors due the high ambient temperatures during summer,” said Ravinder Bhan, the local representative of ICA.

“Health experts warn of the problems caused by airborne microbes, which tend to thrive in closed and poorly ventilated areas. The use of copper in air-ducts has been proven to better indoor quality.”

An office in Athens was among the first in the world to have total copper ventilation and air-conditioning network installed. The 3,000 sq m office space was fitted-out with hygienic copper ducting to highlight the importance and benefits of fresh air in office spaces.

The construction company’s original design concept was for ‘the creation of a clean, antimicrobial, detail-oriented environment of high-aesthetic quality and casual luxury’.

Copper offered a durable, high-quality installation with the added benefit that its natural beauty provided a visual difference from the norm, fitting well with the office’s overall design and making ordinarily-dull ductwork an appealing and eye-catching feature.

Research work assessing the effectiveness of copper as an antifungal surface for air-conditioning systems as an alternative to aluminium has recently been published in Letters in Applied Microbiology.

The results showed that on copper, there was increased die off of fungal isolates tested compared to aluminium. In addition, copper also prevented the germination of spores present, thereby reducing the risk of their release.

HVAC units, in which damp and dark conditions provide the perfect breeding grounds for germs, are a prime area of interest for researchers looking to further harness copper’s antimicrobial potential, a statement said.

The replacement of HVAC components, such as heat exchanger fins and drip pans, with copper alloys may have the potential to reduce biological contaminants that impact air quality, it added. – TradeArabia News Service