Practical Solutions to Ensure
a Healthy Indoor Environment
What can you practically do to ensure a healthy indoor environment?
Use the Correct Filter
Using the right filter is key to providing healthy indoor air quality and an energy-efficient airconditioning system.
Inadequate or poorly designed filters don’t deliver results, but over-spec filters are costly and increase your energy usage.
The efficiency of the filter determines its ability to capture contaminants from the airstream that passes through it.
Choose a reputable specialist filter manufacturer or consult an expert with an industry track record.
Maintain your HVAC System
Old or dirty air filters are a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and viruses. Cleaning schedules vary by application but you should clean your air conditioner filter between 2 and 6 times a year.
Depending on your air conditioner, you may be able to clean it yourself, but for most HVAC systems we recommend you call a professional..
You should also clean your coils at least annually, but you may require more frequent cleaning, depending on your application.
Improve the efficiency of your filters
Adequate Ventilation
Sometimes, opening a window or a door is a quick and easy way to improve your air quality. But this isn’t always possible. We don’t recommend it if you are located in a highly industrialized area but it might be a perfect solution if your premises are overlooking the mountains or the beach.
However, internal office space doesn’t benefit from this solution and it can also increase energy costs as HVAC systems have to work harder.
Monitor Your Indoor Air Quality
From spot checks to continuous monitoring, there are several options when it comes to monitoring your system. Continuous monitoring is preferred as there is no early warning system with spot checks and problems are usually only identified once they are established.
Options include DIY monitoring which may be more suitable for smaller businesses, or monitoring services from indoor air quality specialists.
Air Purifiers
A commercial air purifier is an excellent option to improve the air quality of a confined space, such as a boardroom or an internal office space without access to an open window. Commercial-grade products are robust and effective and can make a remarkable impact on the comfort of crowded or stuffy offices.
For more information, contact us.
Bi-Polar Ionisation
Bi-Polar ionisation technology replicates this natural process by releasing positive and negative ions into the air.
The positive and negative ions collide with oxygen molecules and give them a charge. The oxygen molecule which is now negatively charged will immediately react with the positive hydrogen molecule in the virus.
This reaction breaks down the virus structure. destroying it and making it unable to affect humans or reproduce.
Controlling humidity reduces transmission of virus and bacteria
Humidity control is a key strategy to combat harmful pathogens and maintain good indoor air quality.
Excessive moisture content creates ideal conditions for mould and mildew Inadequate moisture facilitates the spread of germs and disease.
Find the balance and reduce health risks and allergic reactions – and increase staff comfort and performance.
Think ahead, share this message. Tell your building owner that #IAQmatters to you.
The Reset Air Standard
RESET is a green building standard that emphasizes the health of occupants, focusing specifically on indoor air quality (IAQ). It is the world’s first certification program that is sensor-based, and performance-driven.
Unlike other building certifications, RESET was developed with a clear understanding that air quality needs to be continuously monitored throughout the lifetime of the project. This helps account for any changes that happen in the air due to what’s actually happening in the building.
While most green building standards have broad and complicated requirements, RESET focuses solely on IAQ. The standards required for RESET are based on IAQ results and don’t dictate how these results are achieved. This empowers property owners to achieve air quality targets with more flexibility and affordability.
Additionally, while many building certifications take a “measure it and leave” approach, maintaining a RESET certification requires that buildings be re-certified annually, ensuring consistently clean air quality. These stringent requirements show tenants and employees that air quality is being prioritized and provides a guarantee of the building’s air quality.
If you’re thinking about enhancing the indoor air quality in your building, then the RESET Air Standard is a proven and affordable option. RESET is aligned with healthy building certification programs such as WELL, Fitwell, LEED, Living Building Challenge and GRESB.
For more information on the RESET Air Standard contact us.
Data driven HVAC controls
Traditionally HVAC systems were controlled by a space temperature sensor or thermostat that varied the amount of cooling or heating to meet the demand.
In our post COVID 19 Pandemic and carbon conscious era this is no longer acceptable when providing a healthy and efficient building.
Buildings now need to be controlled on an informed use of real-time data.
While most green building standards have broad and complicated requirements, RESET focuses solely on IAQ. The standards required for RESET are based on IAQ results and don’t dictate how these results are achieved. This empowers property owners to achieve air quality targets with more flexibility and affordability.
Monitoring air quality and integrating IAQ data into these systems can enable organisations to adjust mechanical ventilation levels according to the actual state of the air quality in real-time.
Improved HVAC usage based on data rather than the traditional thermostat results in lower energy costs which not only improves an organisation’s ESG performance which pleases the investors and helps the planet but saves the property owners big bucks.
For more information on how to implement a Data driven approach to your buildings contact us.