As countries work to quell the spread of COVID-19, Trane Technologies is touting its ability to provide safe transport for food and medicine, and improve air quality in buildings, hospitals and homes, with its climate-control solutions.
The global climate innovator says it has seen a growing focus on indoor air quality in buildings, including hospitals and other healthcare settings. At the same time, strain on the grocery supply chain and concerns about a pandemic-driven food supply crisis highlight the vital role transport refrigeration plays in getting perishables safely to their destinations.
“Sustainable, reliable and efficient climate control technologies matter more today than at any other time in recent history,” said Mike Lamach, chairman and chief executive officer for Trane. “Society will increasingly depend on the latest technologies for airflow and filtration, controls and remote operation, and precision temperature control for transportation. As we serve these needs, strengthen infrastructure and increase efficiency and resiliency, we are improving health and safety for people, communities and the planet.”
The company says proper design, installation and maintenance of HVAC systems that provide air treatment, filtration, ventilation and decontamination are key to maintaining healthier and more efficient built environments.
Technologies such as Trane Catalytic Air Cleaning systems include special filtration and UV light systems to remove pathogens and particulates from the air in healthcare facilities.
“Beyond healthcare, indoor air quality is increasingly in focus as communities begin to reopen and people return to offices and eventually places like movie theaters, gyms, and shopping centers,” Regnery said. “It’s important that buildings’ mechanical systems are thoroughly checked and maintained after long periods of vacancy, with consideration to ventilation, airflow and humidity, to ensure healthy and efficient indoor environments.”
Trane also is helping to address another big challenge exacerbated by the pandemic: ensuring a safe, reliable cold chain to transport food and medicine. Feeding America says food banks have seen a 70% increase in demand, and 40% of people served by food banks are new to the system.
“Perishable goods require precise temperature control,” Regnery said. “Even the slightest variance in temperature can cause food to spoil prematurely or compromise the integrity of life-saving medicine. Our communities need these products, so waste is not an option.”
Telematics by Trane Technologies subsidiary Thermo King provide real-time intelligence on the status of refrigeration equipment, helping fleet managers make sure units are running properly and efficiently to maintain safety and quality of the shipment. Further, the company offers special air-filtration systems to improve air quality in vehicle passenger cabins for public transportation.
Through its transport refrigeration technologies and employee volunteers, Trane is sponsoring and partnering with Feeding America and local food banks to address growing food-supply shortages and divert food waste from farms to people in need.
“We have an opportunity—and an obligation—to take care of our people, serve our customers in innovative ways and put our technology to work in service for our communities. Innovating and responding quickly are key to building community and global resilience,” Regnery said.
