Temperature and humidity are the foundation of indoor air quality (IAQ).

We rely on HVAC equipment to maintain acceptable temperature, humidity and ventilation levels for occupant health and comfort, and, now more than ever, to help regulate building health and manage increasing energy costs. The relationship between HVAC equipment, occupied space requirements, building materials, weather conditions and pressure differentials is an ever-changing dynamic process for indoor air diagnostics (IAD).

Indoor Air Quality

In every climate, indoor conditions must be maintained to inhibit or prevent the proliferation or colonization of dust mites, bacteria, viruses, fungus and mold spores, and other bioaerosols. Without monitoring or control, indoor conditions can quickly degrade to the point where indoor conditions are conducive to biological growth.

Control of air movement enables us to condition it, clean it, heat it, cool it, humidify it, dehumidify it, exhaust it, ventilate it, dilute it, mix it, deliver it, accelerate it, position it, maintain occupant comfort zones, maintain healthy buildings, and the list goes on. Proper air volumes within HVAC ducts are essential in equipment performance. When air volumes within HVAC ducts are incorrect, the air cannot be conditioned as designed, operating costs are elevated, and equipment life expectancy is shortened.

Today, the boundaries of IAQ responsibilities are blurring between professions that share an interest in human and building health. Is the indoor environment contributing to productive employees, attentive students, patient recovery and healthy buildings while reducing the opportunity for structural damage and microbial growth or colonization? Are HVAC systems optimized to strike the balance between promoting good IAQ and managing energy costs? Research and education are helping expand the industry as are emotionally driven speculation and litigation. Monitoring and maintaining comfortable, safe and healthy IAQ fundamental values are an essential process in the building environments of today.