Can a Building With an Upgraded HVAC System Make People Healthier and More Productive?

As the world overcomes the Covid-19 pandemic, companies lean towards healthier, more efficient buildings. 

The demand for healthy building services has surged, leading HVAC manufacturing companies to continually provide innovative products that make people healthier and more productive.

Why Is Indoor Air Important?

The quality of our indoor air is very important as it affects our health, comfort, and performance. With most people spending 90 percent of their time indoors, keeping indoor air quality clean protects employees from getting sick while promoting their productivity and general health.

Aside from the current standards for the indoor environment, many HVAC companies increasingly recognize opportunities not just to protect building occupants from acute threats like toxin exposure but also to promote superior thermal comfort. Such research-based HVAC solutions focus on occupant health and well-being.

Indoor air pollution happens when there’s not enough fresh air circulating inside a building. Exposure to indoor air pollutants has been linked to various health problems, from sinus discomfort, eye irritation, upper respiratory congestion, and headaches to decreased mood, fatigue, and stress.

Innovative HVAC Solutions for Healthier Workspaces

Smart HVAC Systems

In HVAC, smart systems aren’t only meant to reduce power costs and enhance equipment efficiency. They are also designed to provide a healthier indoor environment.

For example, a smart HVAC system enables occupants to achieve the ideal temperature and fresh air circulation, which provides better comfort.

It can also inform the maintenance department about the situations that affect indoor air and alert them when there’s a need for cleaning, repair, and maintenance of the HVAC equipment.

Another advantage of this system is it provides less carbon emission. In addition, HVAC companies are making use of smart thermostats which integrate adaptive intelligence to measure temperature and other indoor air quality factors based on occupant behavior. This technology maximizes HVAC efficiency without requiring user input.

AHU Selection Software

The use of AHU design selection software enables manufacturers to size and configure air handling units using advanced energy calculations. This results in AHU products that are ideal and suitable for many conditions.

For instance, this software can be used to ensure proper fan positioning and location, correct energy rating, manufacturing accuracy, and proper coil considerations for optimal effect.

Furthermore, air handling unit selection software can be used to design a customized AHU solution according to the needs and location of the building.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) Systems

UVGI systems promote healthier workspaces by mitigating the transmission of airborne viruses. They are used to disinfect ductwork, sterilize surfaces, and eliminate harmful pollutants in the air.

A similar technology used in buildings and offices today is bipolar ionization. This process involves purifying indoor air to reduce harmful substances, including viruses and bacteria. 

Ionizers produce millions of positively and negatively charged oxygen ions to interact with airborne particles, killing pathogens as they break down the gaseous contaminants.

Moisture and Humidity Control

Modern HVAC systems incorporate moisture and humidity control that has an impact on both the building’s integrity and occupants’ health. 

Uncontrolled moisture, for instance, can cause major damage to the building structure by increasing the likelihood of mold buildup and water damage. At the same time, mold problems increase the risk of respiratory symptoms among employees.

On the other hand, high humidity in offices encourages the growth of viruses and bacteria. Spending time in an environment with too much humidity increases the risk of respiratory infections.

Other HVAC upgrades that are very helpful in maintaining quality indoor air are air cleaners and filters. These devices work by capturing contaminants so they don’t circulate back to the indoor air.

Upgraded HVAC Systems Make People Healthier and Productive

Many factors can affect employee productivity. Research shows that cleaning indoor air can increase employee productivity by up to 11%. At the same time, it lowers their risk of getting sick, which can lead to absenteeism.

In every office, comfort perception varies. Several factors affect indoor air quality, such as humidity, temperature, moisture, and air circulation.

Unfortunately, poor indoor air quality often goes uncorrected because it can only be felt, not seen. Thankfully, innovative HVAC solutions make it possible to detect issues before they get worse and maintain optimal thermal comfort.