New Research is a Breath of Fresh Air for Heating and Air Conditioning Units

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Photos: New Research is a Breath of Fresh Air for Heating and Air Conditioning

Units

Copper may increase heating and air conditioning efficiency and prevent

odors. (PRNewsFoto/Copper Development Association)

NEW YORK, NY UNITED STATES

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104 & STORY=/www/story/\

07-22-2009/0005064323 & EDATE=

Antimicrobial components being tested for increased efficiency and odor

prevention

NEW YORK, July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- If you turn on your car air conditioner on a

hot summer day and are overwhelmed by the smell of mildew, it is because mold is

growing in the air conditioner unit. The same phenomenon occurs on a larger

scale in the heating and air conditioning (HVAC) units of buildings. HVAC units

provide dark, moist environments -- perfect breeding grounds for the bacteria

and fungi that are associated with foul odors and decreased efficiency. To

combat this phenomenon, the U.S. Department of Defense is funding research into

antimicrobial copper components that can control the growth of organisms that

grow in HVAC units. The units are installed at the military barracks at Fort

in Columbia, SC.

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http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/copper/39264

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090722/NY50158 )

ley, Ph.D., Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the

University of South Carolina, and principal investigator for the study,

explained the need for this research, " Improvements in building and construction

methods have generally led to increased energy efficiency, but at the same time,

these 'tighter' building envelopes tend to trap bacteria, leading to odors. The

results of this real-world trial should encourage advancements in the design of

HVAC systems. "

The Ft. trial is comparing the ability of antimicrobial copper HVAC

components with the more commonly used aluminum components in controlling the

growth of odor-causing bacteria and fungi in HVAC units. Components being

replaced with copper are those in which microbial contaminants tend to thrive --

cooling coils, heat exchange fins and drip pans. The trial is designed to test

the effectiveness of copper surfaces in inhibiting the growth of microbes which

are not only the source of foul odors, but can also build up on heat transfer

surfaces and compromise the thermal efficiency of the unit. In addition to being

antimicrobial, the copper elements are highly recyclable and are better thermal

conductors than their aluminum counterparts.

In conjunction with the real-world field trial at Ft. , a controlled

laboratory study is taking place at the University of South Carolina in the

Arnold School of Public Health.

In addition to the trials, the Copper Development Association is pursuing U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration of copper alloys for use in

protecting HVAC components.

The copper cooling coils, heat exchange fins and drip pans were manufactured by

Luvata, a leading metal fabrication and component manufacturing company.

About Copper Development Association Inc.

The Copper Development Association is the information, education, marketing and

technical development arm of the copper, brass and bronze industries in the USA.

SOURCE Copper Development Association