I have maybe a dumb question about this due to my lack of knowledge about how heat and AC work.
I live in a 1960 build apartment building. We don’t have central a/c, so that’s not an issue for disease spread. We have old steam heat through radiators. Should I assume that means that in my building there is no chance of spread through ductwork?
I know spread through plumbing is a different thing, but I’ve been wondering about the whole ductwork story as I am unfortunately a girlie girl about this stuff and don’t really understand anything about HVAC. :)
“Should I assume that means that in my building there is no chance of spread through ductwork?”
My guess would be it could probably be spread to the same people in your home who breath the same air. Likewise people who live in different apartments that use the same system could contract it. JMHO
No central air and steam heat probably means no ducts. However, the virus seems to spread through aerosol means so if a person with the virus sneezed in your hallway a few minutes before you walk in it you could become infected. Also, any droplets which land on your doorknob could transmit the virus. Theoretically of course.
You do, however share vents from your plumbing drains with all of your neighbors. The virus is shed in feces and urine, some cross infections have come through plumbing.
If your building has older cast iron plumbing, you need to be careful.
I’m guessing with steam heat, you’re OK, unless the virus can take steam and steam is leaking out of your radiator(s). If your AC is a window unit, it’s possible that it could draw virus in from the outside, I suppose.