Discussions over indoor air quality took precedence during the pandemic, but that momentum is continuing right through 2021. Last year, a study by air purifier maker Molekule reported that 70 percent of Americans were intending to purchase an indoor air purifier of some variety as a holiday gift in 2020. The study also revealed that nearly all Americans (93 percent) think air purifiers help clean the air around them, just as many (92 percent) would be more inclined to buy an air purifier that can remove viruses, and half of Americans are knowledgeable about indoor air quality, with 56 percent acting on that knowledge. Fifty-seven percent are opening windows, 43 percent are using an air purifier, and 41percentare opting for furnace filters.
Still, according to the 2021 CE Pro State of the industry study, dealers are not that excited about the category, with 52 percent admitting that they have no plans in 2021 to deploy IAQ systems of any type, and only five percent saying they are likely, and four percent very likely, to install IAQ systems.
One hurdle that COVID-19 has already eliminated for integrators, however, is awareness. Clients know that IAQ systems should be part of their wellness programming, and now all integrators need to do is promote the benefits of professionally installed, medical-grade solutions.
The PureTech Alliance national sales organization, targeting wellness brands for the custom installation channel, aims to offer some assistance to dealers. “The wellness category features dynamic, innovative manufacturers, and we anticipate meaningful growth and revenue opportunities vital to the future of the CI channel. Additionally, we are confident that an effective national alliance will change the way both vendor and dealer partners across the U.S. perceive sales representation, creating a highly efficient, service-centric benchmark for our industry,” says Peter Dyroff of Strateres, a New England rep firm, and cofounder of the PureTech Alliance.
Most integrators work in large homes that require an indoor air quality system comprised of thermostats, air monitors, control devices, and medical-grade filters. But, another solution to consider, albeit a messy and expensive one, is a central vacuum system. By navigating a network of tubing inside the walls of the home, recirculated dust particles and odors lingering in the air are removed.
“People used to believe ‘what I can’t see can’t hurt me,’ but we all know that is not true. When you use a portable vacuum, people don’t realize that while you are vacuuming, you are also expelling the air that you vacuumed,” explains Greg Calderone, vice president at H-P Products. “With that comes dust, dirt, particles, and you see that and you breathe that.”
A version of this article was originally published by CEPro.
