Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become top priority since the COVID-19 pandemic. Government agencies and businesses alike became very focused on reducing the spread of airborne contaminants. And they still are, which is a positive thing. But it can be a challenge because, often, efforts to increase IAQ will make an HVAC system less efficient.
Factors That Affect Indoor Air Quality
Building design can be a huge factor in IAQ. The orientation of the building and location of outdoor air intakes are big considerations. Construction upgrades or tenant improvements may also have an impact on IAQ.
Moisture problems, outdoor air quality, and indoor contaminant sources also contribute to IAQ. These are issues that should be looked at and addressed by an HVAC professional, like Aztec Mechanical.
Moisture and Dirt in Your HVAC System
Excess moisture and dirt in your commercial HVAC system can cause mold. Certain molds can cause serious health problems for building occupants. It’s important to take steps to make sure your system is clean and well maintained:
- Evaporator coil. Dirty filters can cause poor airflow within the system, causing your evaporator coil to freeze. When this finally melts, you have excess moisture dripping off your coil.
- Drain pans. Drain pans can crack or simply corrode over time. Leaks can cause water damage to your facilities.
- Drain lines. A clogged drain line will make your drain pan overflow, causing possible water damage and opportunities for mold growth.
- Proper humidity levels. The CDC recommends keeping indoor humidity levels under 50% to prevent mold growth. A NIOSH study showed that 43% is the ideal humidity level to keep flu transmission at a minimum.
- Air ducts. In general you should have your ducts professionally cleaned every 3 to 5 years. But if you notice biological growth happening in your vents or ducts, it’s time for immediate attention.
Poor HVAC Ventilation Rates
Building codes such as ASHRAE Standard 62.1 set the minimum ventilation requirements to improve IAQ. But older buildings may not be up to these standards. Even some newer buildings may not be in compliance, due to design or maintenance issues.
New installations or changing the way spaces are used might require modifying current ventilation rates. And if the outdoor air intake rates are correct, the air distribution needs to evenly ventilate the entire building.
HVAC Filtration
Air filters can remove a lot of indoor air pollutants. Your system should be moving all the building air through these filters multiple times every hour. For the best IAQ, the CDC recommends using at least MERV-13 filters, or the highest that the system can take. And make sure there aren’t gaps around the filters where air can get through.
We assist our clients with changing filters to prevent poor air flow and strain on your HVAC system.
Strategize to Improve IAQ
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers discusses the difficulty of pursuing both IAQ and energy efficiency. They recommend a strategy for determining what enhancements and changes are worthwhile:
- Collect data. Use high-quality indoor air safety testing to verify that the changes you make will be effective.
- Maintain and Monitor Your Systems. A well-maintained system will run more efficiently, making IAQ enhancements less of a trade-off.
- Work with operational realities. Think about actual cost and savings. Higher quality air filters may cost more, but they can increase energy efficiency and require fewer changes. This is just one example where a potential savings happens instead of a net cost.
Your HVAC system can improve IAQ quite a bit. Make your enhancements strategically to see long-term benefits for your building and its occupants.
How We Can Help
Want to improve your indoor air quality but not sure where to start? We can help! Our team of experienced professionals know and work with commercial HVAC systems. Contact us today to talk about how we can improve your air quality without sacrificing efficiency.