Balancing HVAC maintenance in high-traffic areas is crucial. How can you ensure optimal indoor air quality?

The operation of an effective HVAC system is dependent on three important criteria; proper design accounting for all operational requirements; use of quality equipment. and lastly, regular PM. Although these three items seem straightforward, they are often disregarded. Proper design is easily subverted by modifying conditioned space with new walls or occupancy requirements without changes to the distribution system. Quality equipment, especially controls, are the first thing that is cost engineered out of a project. These cost control efforts dramatically negatively affect total cost of ownership. Lastly, failure to create, execute, and monitor PM activities leads to premature equipment failure and decreased occupancy satisfaction.

The maintenance schedule should be tied to occupancy data wherever possible. Using sensors to track footfall traffic, preventative maintenance and measurement checks can be automatically raised by a sophisticated enough system. This occupancy data can right-size self-performance versus 3rd party outtasking.

Complex HVAC systems can very quickly lose inefficient due to operator error and continuous changes to thermostats. It is estimated that an average unmanaged system can be as much as 40% out of parameter within 6 months. This means you are spending more than needed to achieve your HVAC needs. A well-designed building management system (BMS) is a building owner’s front line defense against system inefficiencies. Properly set alarms will prevent unnecessary energy consumption and prevent possible occupant discomfort. Furthermore, predictive maintenance, based on sensor data, can prevent premature or unpredicted failure. You know your system is optimized when no one is talking to you about your system.

ASHRA 62.1 & 62.2 standards are designed to accommodate 80% of the occupants. That means 20% of your occupants are unhappy with the air quality. How can you balance air quality and energy efficiency? Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization allows a building operator to decrease makeup air while simultaneously improving air quality. This technology has been used on the space shuttle and Air Force One. This tech is very cost effective to install and provides continuous disinfection by binding to and killing germs, viruses, bacteria, and allergens. Furthermore, this technology eliminates odors and helps remove airborne particulate matter. This equipment installs quickly in your existing ductwork or air handling equipment.

There is a new technology available in market that continuously monitors air quality index (AQI) and displays important data such as, Co2 , O2, TVOC, humidity and more. (PPM) By consistently monitoring these metrics, you can generate reports and analyze important data to assess overall air quality within a specific area, like offices, homes or any facility. I have used this technology for the offices and found it to be very beneficial.