5 Ways to Improve Your Building’s Indoor Air Quality

For commercial property owners, indoor air quality is of the utmost importance, particularly as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, as it can affect the health and comfort of your tenants. So, if you are looking for ways to create a healthier and more comfortable environment for your employees and tenants, identifying some areas of improvement that can affect the air quality in your building is a great place to start.

What is Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)?

As defined by the Environmental Protection Agency, “Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.” Poor air quality can affect not only the comfort, health, and productivity of your employees or tenants in a building, but can have lasting effects, such as severe diseases, allergies, aggravated asthma, headaches, eye irritation, and reduced lung function.

An Indoor Air Quality test measures the following:

  • Humidity
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
  • Carbon monoxide
  • Carbon Dioxide
  • Radon
  • Particulate matter
  • Air Quality Index (AQI)

Factors That Contribute to Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is constantly evolving and new pollutants and smells are introduced into the air, such as dust, smoke, and mold, to name a few. There are also mechanical factors at play, such as the state of your building’s ventilation system, any moisture or humidity that’s present, and the building’s overall design.

It’s also of utmost importance to have a regularly maintained commercial HVAC system. Read on for a more in-depth look at ways you can promote good indoor air quality in your building, as stated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Indoor Air Quality Tip #1: Don’t Block Air Supply Vents or Return Grilles

Often, a building’s furniture, partitions, and equipment are placed in such ways that vital commercial HVAC systems become blocked, affecting air circulation, temperature, and pollutant removal functions. Always make sure that air supply vents and return grilles are free from blockage. From time to time, open the windows to let new air into the building.

Indoor Air Quality Tip #2: Make Sure Air Filters Are Regularly Changed

This one may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often it’s the culprit of an indoor air quality issue! A regular HVAC maintenance plan from Air Stream will ensure your air filters are changed on a regular schedule, minimizing dust and buildup.

Indoor Air Quality Tip #3: Ensure Your Building Is Sufficiently Ventilated

Poor ventilation significantly impacts indoor air quality, as efficient ventilation is necessary to keep air moving, pushing out pollutants, and preventing health and comfort issues for the building’s tenants. If you would like your building’s ventilation inspected to see if it’s sufficiently getting the job done, you can call our team at (516) 747-4700.

Indoor Air Quality Tip #4: Identify and Remove Pollutants

To best improve the air quality in your building, it’s critical to consider all the factors at play and develop a strategy to manage them through source control. This could be as simple as making sure to prevent exhaust fumes from your building’s loading dock from entering the building, for example.

Indoor Air Quality Tip #5: Have Your Air Professionally Cleaned

Air cleaning is another way you can boost the indoor air quality in your building; with a commercial-grade service, you can ensure your air quality is at a safe and comfortable level for your employees and tenants.

Air cleaning could include the use and/or implementation of any of the following:

  • Humidifiers
  • Dehumidifiers
  • Air cleaners
  • Air purifiers
  • Air scrubbers
  • UV lighting

Final Thoughts: Is Your Indoor Air Quality at a Safe Level?

Maintaining the health, safety, and comfort of your tenants is no easy feat, but we’re here for you! For an evaluation of your building’s indoor air quality, call (516) 747-4700 to set up an appointment.

 

 


400 Crossways Park Dr Suite 102
Woodbury, NY 11797
Tel : (516) 747-4700
Fax: (516) 747-0063
Email: info@airstreamac.com

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