Indoor air quality has long been a top focus for HVAC manufacturers, particularly in commercial and industrial settings. This trend is expected to expand in the future, especially in the next 10 years, according to a new study from safety consulting company UL.
As new advancements in recent years have propelled the capabilities of HVAC systems to better ventilate buildings, companies have pushed the issue of indoor air quality more so than in the past. And with federal and state regulations mandating air quality controls and energy efficiency efforts, the commercial sector is being revolutionized in real time.
More companies are catching on, making the next decade crucial to the overall progress made by improved air standards. Not only are working conditions better, but companies can actually profit and make their businesses more efficient in the marketplace as a result of updated measures to promote cleaner air.
"Like many industries in the recovering global economy, the building industry is being forced to take a good look at what investments and practices are actually driving real and lasting value for investors, owners and tenants," said Erin Gross, chief economist at UL. "Recent technology advancements in sensors, dashboards and integrated IP networks make the realization of energy and water savings and improved indoor air quality more financially viable and traceable. Access to more information about how efficiently buildings are being run can significantly reduce costs and slash consumption of resources for building owners."
Eliminating contamination
Increased concern regarding air quality is largely in response to the rise of pollutants and chemicals present in buildings. The UL study found that certain hardware, cleaning agents and construction materials contribute to a decline in air quality. This places workers at a considerably higher risk of being victim to respiratory diseases.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency noted commercial buildings tend to have more problems associated with air quality because HVAC systems typically remain on one setting and can only be adjusted by certain people, whereas at home, people can alter their settings at will.
Additionally, HVAC units may also be a prominent culprit by allowing growth of bacteria and the spread of corrosion. Without frequent maintenance checks, HVAC coils can be inadvertently forming buildup, which is then released into a building in the form of small organisms and particles. Though new technology aims to prevent these instances from occurring, the best thing engineers and building managers can do is to take precautionary measures to solidify the efficiency of their HVAC units, which will help promote indoor air quality.
To make sure an HVAC system isn't leading to health problems, coils should be coated. With HVAC coil coatings, corrosion is much less likely to occur and the conditions for bacteria and mold to form are removed due to the coating's superhydrophobic properties. In conjunction with efficient control procedures, indoor air quality can improve with revamped HVAC coils.
Rahn Industries has a full lineup of spray and immersion (dip)/ Bake protective coatings to meet your needs.