Indoor air quality or IAQ has become one of the most popular topics in built environments these days. The coronavirus pandemic may have brought this topic to the spotlight, but even before this health and economic catastrophe happens, indoor air quality has always been important.
In this blog, we’ll explore some of the major forces that are driving the increasing interest in indoor air quality, beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
IAQ matters to employees
More and more studies confirm that poor indoor air quality in buildings carries negative effects on health. Stale indoor air quality, when not managed, can lead to sick building syndrome, intense asthma attacks, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems. Employees are increasingly becoming more concerned about the condition of the air they breathe, as air pollution-related illnesses can weaken their productivity, causing them to take more sick leaves or worse, force them to face termination due to absences and poor work performance.
IAQ matters to employers
Knowing that indoor air quality in buildings is one of the greatest concerns of employees these days, employers are now also paying attention. Business leaders need to present their workplaces as employee-friendly to attract and retain best talents. Aside from paying above-average salaries, HMOs, and offering recreation spaces at work, employers are adding indoor air health on the list.
Business leaders are striving to meet building efficiency
Having the ability to monitor and manage indoor air quality has measurable operational and financial benefits. HVAC systems account for an average 39% of a building’s total energy consumption, but through accurate indoor air quality data, building managers and business owners can easily identify areas that are over-cooled and are spending excessive amounts of energy. Business leaders can then adjust the performance of their HVAC systems based on their facility’s requirements, and eventually achieve efficiency, and operational savings.
Compliance to IAQ standards is no longer optional
Numerous studies reveal the impact of high concentrations of volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide on cognitive performance, some reports have also shown the connection between poor indoor air quality, virus spread and sick building syndrome. The information uncovered by these studies has become a factor in increasing health regulations relating to IAQ and has forced buildings to comply. In fact, states like California have already seen the state government step in to ensure acceptable IAQ, the European government has also recently developed a law mandating schools and educational institutions to adopt carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring solutions to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus, which will be welcomed by many for the coming school terms. Other states and nations are expected to have stringent IAQ mandates in place soon.
How we help
uHoo Aura is the most comprehensive indoor air quality monitoring technology designed for businesses and commercial built environments. By having the right information on the factors that affect indoor air quality and its potential sources, you and your employees can create strategies and adjust your indoor environments based on the data and on your facility’s unique requirements.
By continuously monitoring and by having the power to manage the air you breathe, you can protect employee health, make your workplace an ideal environment for people to prosper, achieve green and healthy building certifications like RESET, WELL, and Fitwel, and comply with health standards set by the government and other health organizations you follow.
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