Property managers should monitor their commercial HVAC systems and see how these critical pieces of equipment affect the overall indoor air quality in their building.
As October ends and November begins, the fall flu season isn’t far behind. Sick employees are less productive, because they’ll miss time in the office, and even if they do come in, they won’t be able to focus or work as efficiently as they usually would. So what should property managers, facility owners, and company leadership do? They should monitor their commercial HVAC systems and see how these critical pieces of equipment affect the overall indoor air quality in their building.
Why Indoor Air Quality Matters
Although allergies caused by the great outdoors can make us miserable, allergens can still affect us from the safety of our workstations as well. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has found that the air inside our facilities can be anywhere from two to five times worse than the air outside. What are some of the most pressing reasons why indoor air quality is so important?
- As determined by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, half of employee illness is either precipitated or exacerbated by unhealthy IAQ.
- Poor IAQ is expensive, taking a considerable toll on the businesses that operate in these conditions. The Department of Energy found that this price is an astonishing $168 billion a year.
- The DOE also said that by improving their IAQ through sensible solutions, most businesses could encourage their employees to be more productive.
Your Commercial HVAC and IAQ
For most of us, spending the vast majority of our daily lives outside isn’t preferable or even possible. Typically, the best commercial HVAC systems efficiently heat and cool any given room inside a building. But all of the air that circulates in a commercial building has to come from somewhere, and it usually passes through filters that may be in need of attention. Whenever preventative maintenance is postponed, it gives allergens and other contaminants even more time to accumulate. Moisture is another factor that can affect IAQ since germs thrive in damp conditions. After all, these microbes could contribute to making employees sick even when they might not realize it.
Redesigning Commercial HVAC Systems
How can we go about improving the indoor air quality? One way to start is by redesigning our commercial HVAC systems. So, what does redesigning such a system entail? Consider improving the ventilation of the system. Proper ventilation regulates carbon dioxide levels, provides odor control, and can flush anything polluting the air. If ventilation is the problem, you have to have the ductwork examined or inspect other elements of the ventilation.
Along with controlling humidity levels inside your building, changing out components such as filters, coils, and ducts can make a tremendous difference as well.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through HVAC preventive maintenance. We can develop a cost-effective, customized preventive maintenance plan for your commercial building that will provide you with peace of mind, improved comfort, and energy savings.
To learn more about the importance of HVAC Preventive Maintenance, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or sales@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority service with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC.