Clean Air for Those Who Need It Most

The Elecnor Foundation has been a member of the House Council since 2013, the year Elecnor built this residence for 30 families and implemented the energy efficiency project in its facilities. The Ronald McDonald House in Madrid provides a “home away from home” for families who travel far from their usual residence so their child can receive medical treatment.

The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to ensure the quality of indoor air, especially in highly sensitive places like the Ronald McDonald House. This led to the creation of the project “We Care About the Air You Breathe.” The objective of this project was to minimize the potential exposure of House users to COVID-19 and other viruses, through air improvement and renewal measures, as well as complementary actions. The technology implemented in this project was selected by the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) under the call for R&D and Investment Projects to address the health emergency declared due to COVID-19.

During its development, the project considered recommendations from international agencies and professional organizations with accredited experience, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), ASHRAE, CDC, REHVA, and the Federation of Indoor Environmental Quality Associations (FEDECAI). Fernando Padros, General Director of Hospitals and Healthcare Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid, inaugurated the House: “Having a space where families can stay together while accompanying hospitalized children and having resources that improve air safety are factors that undoubtedly help to facilitate and improve the quality of the time they must spend here.”

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT

• Treat indoor air, improving its quality by eliminating harmful contaminants for the health of the people living in the House.
• Continuously monitor air quality by measuring organic compounds and particles.
• Control temperature and monitor the number of people accessing the House to reduce the risk of contagion.
• Properly maintain the facilities, carrying out legally required actions and additional measures required by the installed equipment.
• Operate the building’s systems and continuously monitor their functioning to prevent failures that could affect not only the comfort of the House but also indoor air quality.

PROJECT DETAILS

Installation of air filtration systems in central air conditioners:

• Active Polarization Systems SIPAP®: These systems reduce the energy consumption of air conditioners due to their low pressure loss, lower CO2 emissions, and have much lower maintenance costs compared to traditional filters.
• Photocatalysis Systems SFEG®: These systems treat the air flow in air conditioners to eliminate microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeasts) and reduce the risk of contamination from chemical compounds (NOx, VOCs, SO2, etc.). They combine germicidal UVGI ultraviolet light and oxidation via hydroxyl radicals, deactivating the DNA and RNA of microorganisms.

Air purification systems in common areas:

• SIAV air purification and filtration systems with UVGI: One key factor for the health of the House is the renewal and cleaning of air in different rooms, especially in areas with higher occupancy, such as activity rooms and the dining hall. SIAV systems improve indoor air quality by filtering contaminants and thoroughly purifying the air in the areas where they operate.