4 HVAC Features That Improve Air Quality

If you have an HVAC system at work, it does much more than just heating and cooling your office. With the right accessories, your HVAC system can maintain and improve the indoor air quality. However, the quality of these indoor air quality solutions depends on the effectiveness of air filters, air purifiers and other devices fitted to your HVAC system.

Ready to discover the four HVAC features that are the real game-changers for improving indoor air quality? Keep reading to find out more.

Air filters are crucial components of HVAC systems. In addition to maintaining and improving air quality indoors, they often serve as the first line of defence against airborne contaminants.

Installing high-quality air filters has several benefits. For instance, they help remove dust, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne allergens. In addition, they help remove and reduce odours while preventing the growth of bacteria and other viruses. The result to you and your business is a much healthier work environment.

Replacing air filters at least every three months is recommended, particularly in environments with high allergen levels. The better you maintain clean and efficient air filters, the healthier your indoor work environment is for your employees.

The furnace filter is the first line of defence against dust, mites, bacteria, and other airborne contaminants in a central HVAC system. Designed to protect the sensitive components within your AC and furnace from dust that could cause overheating, upgrading your furnace filter could significantly improve your indoor air quality.

Most filters are disposable and made of polyester or fibreglass. They aren’t very effective at improving indoor air quality. Instead, if you have a standard domestic HVAC system, consider upgrading to pleated and electrostatic filters or, if your system can support it, a HEPA filter.

Pleated filters have a larger surface area than disposable ones, meaning they remove more pollutants. Meanwhile, electrostatic filters build a static charge within their fibres to attract dust, pollen, and other particles. Unfortunately, not all HVAC systems produce enough air pressure to use HEPA filters, but these are the most effective at improving and maintaining your indoor air quality.

HVAC systems can only do so much to improve and maintain the air quality inside your workplace. Good natural ventilation is also required to find the optimal air quality. However, not every building has the correct levels of natural ventilation to achieve the necessary balance of exhaust and outdoor air infiltration. This is where fresh air exchangers help.

Often called mechanical ventilators, fresh air exchangers reuse energy in the exhaust of your HVAC system to improve the air mixture in the office. They also help prevent stagnant air from building up, reducing stuffiness, and help pollutants and contaminants escape the building.

The two types of fresh air exchangers you can fit into your HVAC system are Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRV), which transfer heat, and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV), which transfer heat and humidity. Which is best for your system depends on the climate in which you live. However, if you live in an area with hot, humid summers or dry winters, the humidity control offered by ERVs could prove enormously beneficial for improving the air quality at work.

Humidity is another critical part of ensuring your indoor air quality is at its best. Moderated humidity helps keep your internal air moist, preventing dry skin and sinus or respiratory issues. Luckily, this is an easy fix: Add a whole-building humidifier to your HVAC system.

Two main types of humidifiers help commercial HVAC systems. Drum-style humidifiers have a water-filled drum and an absorbent pad that collects moisture as it rotates.

Meanwhile, flow-through humidifiers have a stationary pad kept moisturised with a steady drip of water. Which works best for you depends on your building type. Speak to a professional HVAC technician to help you find the best type and size of humidifier to help you find and maintain optimal air quality.

These four features of HVAC systems are perfect for improving air quality at work. Once you’ve found your optimal level, keep it as you like. However, there are several additional things you can do to keep your HVAC system working efficiently and effectively and keep your indoor air quality at its best.

Increasing air circulation is one of the best ways to maintain air quality at work by dispersing dusty or polluted air, stuffy and humid air, and preventing uneven temperatures throughout the house.

You can use your HVAC system’s blower motor to help by switching the fan setting on your thermostat to “on.” This will allow the air to circulate more frequently. Increasing air circulation in warmer upstairs spaces is especially useful as it can moderate temperatures throughout the house, leading to much-improved air quality.

In addition, increasing air circulation means that your HVAC filtration systems filter pollutants and allergens out of the building more frequently, making it much more comfortable for those with asthma, hay fever, and other allergic conditions.

If your HVAC filter isn’t working efficiently, it can negatively impact indoor air quality. In addition to reducing airflow, it also fails to catch harmful irritants, such as dust and pollen.

Depending on the HVAC filter you use, you may need to change it regularly. While your filter’s packaging can help guide you, set yourself a reminder to check your filters regularly and replace them if they become clogged. Effective HVAC filters ensure consistent air quality and work at their optimal level.

While regular HVAC maintenance should be scheduled to ensure your system is working safely, checks can also help improve indoor quality. Qualified HVAC technicians don’t just check for issues; they will tune up your furnace, clear dust and debris from the cabinet, and check your blower fan.

In addition, an HVAC technician will perform a tune-up of the air conditioner and heat pump, making sure the condensate drains are free from bacteria and mould. While more expensive in the short term, regular maintenance of your HVAC system can save you money in the long run and ensure you enjoy the best possible indoor air quality.

Achieving optimal indoor quality requires more than just basic HVAC functionality; it calls for innovative and energy-efficient solutions that adapt to the evolving demands of modern workspaces.
Rensair’s smart ventilation solutions helps you improve air quality, reduce energy consumption and your carbon footprint, meaning gaining a healthier environment inside needn’t affect your business’s commitment to combating climate change.

Our solutions go beyond standard features, combining powerful air purification with Smart Demand-Controlled Ventilation (SDVC) technology to deliver cleaner air, lower carbon emissions, and reduce operation costs. Indeed, our solution is designed to work seamlessly with your existing HVAC system, so there’s no complex retrofitting required.

Contact one of our ventilation experts today to learn of Rensair can transform your indoor environment, supporting employee wellness and sustainability for a better workplace.