How to improve indoor air quality in offices, schools, and healthcare facilities
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Transcript
Indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts comfort, cognition, and the overall experience of your building. The good news is you can improve IAQ with a practical mix of testing, ventilation, filtration, and maintenance.
What IAQ means and why it matters
IAQ describes the condition of the air inside a building, specifically in relation to its impact on health, comfort, and productivity.
Indoor air quality is a central factor in workplace health, comfort, and productivity. Most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, typically in offices, schools, healthcare facilities, and other shared environments. Research confirms that poor IAQ can cause a wide range of health problems, and even serious long-term conditions like asthma, heart disease, and cancer.1,2
Equally important, good IAQ has a direct impact on mental performance. Studies led by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health and others show that exposure to elevated particulate matter, carbon dioxide, and VOCs is linked to slower response times, reduced focus, and diminished cognitive function, even at concentrations commonly found indoors. Improving IAQ can increase employee productivity (and satisfaction) while reducing sick days and healthcare expenses, which could save thousands of dollars per person each year.
Employers and building owners who invest in healthier air create more comfortable, energized spaces where people can do their best work, enjoy better health, and experience fewer absences. Enhanced IAQ also supports regulatory compliance, ESG, and wellness goals, and protects vulnerable populations that are most at risk.
How to measure it
To improve IAQ, start with a clear baseline and measure the few variables that drive most outcomes. You cannot improve what you do not measure.4,5
Start with a baseline of the core IAQ indicators:
- CO₂ for ventilation effectiveness
- PM2.5 and PM10 for fine and coarse particulate matter
- VOCs for chemical pollutants and odors
- Temperature and relative humidity for comfort and pathogen control
- Differential pressure where clean or isolation spaces matter
Common sources of poor IAQ
Most indoor air problems can be caused by several factors:
- Under ventilated spaces that trap CO₂ and odors
- Filtration that is undersized or overdue for replacement
- Dust and biofilm on coils and drain pans that re-circulate contaminants
- Processes that generate particles or VOCs, like printing, cleaning, or light manufacturing
- Outdoor air events that overwhelm filters, such as wildfire smoke or construction dust
Ventilation strategies that work
Start by bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute indoor pollutants, then manage that airflow so you are not burning energy you do not need. Set outdoor air rates that match ASHRAE 62.1 for your building type and occupancy, and check that you are hitting those targets during peak use.
Where it fits, use demand-controlled ventilation tied to CO₂ or occupancy sensors. Bring in more fresh air when rooms fill up and back it off when they clear. In large rooms or higher risk areas, verify air changes per hour and rebalance supply and return if hot spots linger. Commission economizers and dampers, record the setpoints, and save them in your BAS so they stick after seasonal changes or service work.6,7,8,9
Filtration and purification that fit the space
Select filters based on the particles you need to capture and verify that your HVAC fans can handle the additional resistance.
For most offices and other commercial spaces, MERV 8-13 gives a good balance of filtration and airflow. Schools and healthcare settings usually need more protection, so aim for MERV 13 or higher, and use HEPA where fine particles and viruses are a concern.10
Where maximum filtration is needed, use portable HEPA units or upgrade central systems in high-risk or sensitive areas. Maintaining clean coils and regular filter changes allows the filters to work effectively, and system airflow remains within design limits.
Consider supplemental purification technologies, such as UV-C or photocatalytic oxidation, only as a complement to well-designed ventilation and filtration (not as substitutes). Always look for third-party performance data before investing in new air cleaning devices.
Finally, consult HVAC professionals when selecting filters with higher ratings to make sure your system’s static pressure and energy efficiency remain within safe bounds.
Maintenance routines that prevent IAQ drift
Reliability keeps IAQ gains in place.
- Replace filters on schedule, not just at the start of each season.
- Clean coils, drain pans, and louvers to prevent microbial growth and airflow loss.
- Calibrate temperature, humidity, and CO₂ sensors so your automation reacts to real conditions.
- Inspect belts, motors, and fan speeds so airflow matches design.
- Document tasks in your CMMS and tie alarms to service tickets.
Space-specific needs
Different buildings need different tactics.
Certifications and frameworks that guide decisions
If you track ESG or wellness goals, standards can help. LEED credits, WELL features, and RESET Air provide practical frameworks for measurement plans, filtration levels, and ongoing performance.
Quick checklist you can start today
- Measure CO₂, PM, and humidity in the spaces people use most
- Verify outdoor air and damper positions against design
- Confirm filter type, fit, and change intervals
- Clean coils and drain pans, and log the work in your CMMS
- Calibrate critical sensors and review control setpoints
- Add portable HEPA where complaints persist
- Plan a seasonal review so settings do not drift
When to bring in experts
Bring in a partner when you need formal diagnostics or a roadmap.
- IAQ assessments to isolate sources and set targets
- Testing plans with short-term and continuous monitoring
- Ventilation and filtration upgrades that match fan capacity and code
- Controls tuning so that ventilation, filtration, and setpoints work together
- Training and SOPs so gains last beyond the project
Let’s improve IAQ in your facilities
Investing in better indoor air quality means healthier, more productive spaces with fewer complaints and risks. If you want a data-driven plan to improve IAQ, reduce problems, and deliver lasting value, our team can help: from building assessments and targeted upgrades to reliable, ongoing maintenance that keeps your goals on track. Start creating a safer, more comfortable environment today.
Sources:
2 The Need for US Indoor Air Quality Guidelines
3 Office air quality may affect employees’ cognition, productivity
5 Preventative Maintenance for Commercial HVAC Equipment
6 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
7 Outside Air and ASHRAE 62.1 Analysis
8 Recommended Air Change Rates for Different Room Types
9 Best Practices for Air-Side Economizers Operation and Maintenance
