CARES Act Is an Opportunity for Businesses to Update Facilities

As a business owner in the time of Covid-19, you are probably asking yourself what you can be doing to protect both your customers and your business during this trying time.

The good news is that there are many resources out there today to help you make the most of this situation. From a fiscal standpoint, the government has provided business owners with financial support through the provisions of the CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act).

In addition to using these funds to help with payroll and some overhead expenses such as utilities and rent, an SBA 7(a) loan can be utilized for renovations and upgrades to the facilities at your business. When considering what kinds of construction projects you want to take on at this time, considering modernizing your commercial building in the particular interest of creating an environment that is as safe as possible for both customers and employees should be of the highest concern for you and your business.

Using a business loan for renovations that will promote health and safety in your workplace is the best way to utilize the money available thanks to the CARES act.

Discussed below are a number options for upgrading your facilities towards cleaner air and safer work places.

Adding Touchless Fixtures to Your Facilities

Because diseases such as Covid-19 can be transferred and spread through germs left lingering on surfaces, it is more important than ever to limit our need to touch unclean surfaces.

Because bathrooms and kitchens are most often the places we go to clean ourselves up, they can often be the most germ covered spaces we encounter. While it is particularly important at this time to encourage the practice of frequently washing our hands, it becomes vitally important that we maximize the safety of the handwashing spaces in our workplaces and publicly shared facilities.

Luckily, touchless fixtures have been commonplace since the 1980s and with continual improvements over time, they have become very reliable fixtures that will serve your needs well for years to come. It is particularly important to note that they are more hygienic in comparison to traditional sinks, toilets, and other fixtures.

If your building does not already utilize touchless faucets, flushometers and soap dispensers then this is the perfect time to upgrade your facilities. With the resources available to modernize your workplace, you will create a safer workspace that will help employees or customers stay healthier right now and in the future.

The Latest Technology for HVAC Systems

The other pressing concern when it comes to a virus such as Covid-19 is air quality. While it is best practice to limit time spent indoors in close proximity to others, sometimes it is just unavoidable for many people and businesses if they intend to continue operating. To ensure that everyone is as safe as possible indoors, it is vital to consider the airflow and air quality inside your commercial building.

When it comes to preventing the spread of airborne diseases, your HVAC system (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system) plays a critical role. Servicing and upgrading your HVAC system can be another great use of the money you receive from the CARES act to make a safer, healthier work environment both immediately and in the long term.

There are a variety of options available to you for system upgrades and state of the art cleaning methods that can be implemented individually or used together for compounded results.

Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI), is a technology which safely creates and releases ions into the airstream using your existing HVAC system as the delivery method. When these ions disperse throughout a space, they seek out and form bonds with particles in the air through a process called agglomeration. This creates a snowball effect in which particles begin to cluster together; these larger clusters make it easier for your system to safely filter these particles out of the air. This process is proven by independent laboratory testing to be both safe and effective at removing dust, dander, pollen, smoke, and pathogens such as mold, bacteria, and viruses.

Another method that can be used both independently and optionally in conjunction with NPBI is Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI), which utilizes light in the UV-C wavelength (254nm). UVGI has been utilized since the mid-1990s in commercial HVAC systems to improve air quality, improve airflow, and reduce maintenance. This can be applied with surface irradiation or by airstream disinfection and has been found to be effective against airborne infectious microorganisms.

Talking with an expert about your current HVAC system as well as the upgrades and maintenance that can benefit your business should be the first step towards creating a safer atmosphere in your business.

The Time to Act Is Now

While your industry may have slowed down or may be operating at a limited capacity given the current circumstances, the construction industry is essential and has been continuing to operate throughout the pandemic with additional safety measures in place.

With fewer staff or customers around to be inconvenienced by your remodel and expedited access to business loans, this is the best time to make those upgrades to your commercial facility to capitalize on this difficult situation.

By choosing to make renovations that will make your workplace safer for everyone, you are making an investment in your business that prioritizes the health and safety of the people you care about and will benefit you long term.

We here at Standard Plumbing & Heating know that health and safety is a priority for everyone. We look forward to working with you to make your facility as safe as it can be and to create a functional, beautiful working environment for your business.

To get started and discuss the needs of your commercial business facility, please contact us today by emailing Desiree Cespedes or by calling 330-453-5150.