Did you know that air pollution is responsible for six million deaths annually around the world? That figure is staggering to hear, especially when you consider that many more people who don’t die still suffer adverse health effects. The side effects include asthma and other breaking problems and may escalate to cancer.
While we may think of bad air as an outdoor problem, indoor air can often be just as polluted. Installing indoor air quality systems in your business is a great way to prevent some of the harmful effects of taking in bad air. Read on to learn more about these systems and how one could be just right for your business.
7 Benefits of Indoor Air Quality Systems
These systems, sometimes referred to as indoor air quality monitoring systems, are often installed within an HVAC system. If this hasn’t been something you have ever thought of, consider getting your air quality tested. If the quality isn’t good, getting a system is almost a necessity.
While these systems offer benefits, there are ones with a greater human and financial impact. They include:
1. Elimination and Reduction of Airborne Contaminants
Depending on where you live and what major industries are located near your business, there are serious airborne contaminants that you must worry about. These include:
Carbon Monoxide
Lead
Nitrogen Oxides
Ozone
Particulate matter
Sulfur Dioxide
Additionally, there are other contaminants that may come off as byproducts from manufacturing or even in older building materials, such as asbestos. Having an air quality system can help reduce the concentration of these contaminants. A monitoring system can also track their levels and alert you if they become dangerously high.
2. Lessens the Spread of Disease
One of the many things that businesses learned during the Covid-19 pandemic is airborne diseases can shut a workplace down. There were many instances of employees passing it on from one to another and even cases where a workplace became a super spreader.
Many indoor air quality systems have the ability to recirculate workplace air and remove diseases. This is typically done through UV lighting or other air purification technology.
3. Lowering Utility Bills
As indoor air quality systems improve air quality, one of the effects is that HVAC systems operate better. This is due to improved airflow and ventilation. A system that is operating more efficiently will reduce your utility bills. While the savings won’t be huge month to month, they will add up over time.
4. Maintenance and Upkeep Are Easy
Unlike many HVAC systems, maintaining an indoor air quality system is relatively simple. For systems that are filter-based, upkeep is mainly a matter of replacing dirty filters. Other systems may just need a basic cleaning on a periodic schedule.
For installation and routine maintenance, that should be left to professionals. Due to their complexity, systems that include humidifiers should have cleaning handled by professionals.
5. Protection of Products
You might think of indoor air quality systems as only impacting the workers in your business, but you would be wrong. Improved air quality also provides increased safety for both perishable items and equipment. For example, if your company relies on sensitive software, reducing the dust will improve its operation.
6. Humidity Control
Humidity is one of the most underrated indoor climate factors. Too much humidity can make your business a target for mold and pests attracted to damp environments, including mosquitoes. Too little humidity can impact employees who have allergy problems.
Indoor air quality systems help your facility maintain the perfect humidity balance. Besides eliminating the aforementioned problems, this will keep your employees comfortable as they work.
7. Fewer Sick Days for Employees
By looking over these tips, you’ll notice that indoor air quality systems make employees comfortable and prevent illness. The benefit to you as a business owner is that these factors result in employees taking fewer sick days. These systems help to prevent sickness from both the environment and coworkers.
Beyond just illness reduction, improved air quality is shown to produce a better night’s sleep. If your employees know that you are making their health a priority, that can boost their morale and lead to better production.
How Do Indoor Air Quality Systems Work?
The monitors typically consist of an infrared bulb, a light water tube, and an infrared detector. These monitors measure the attenuation of infrared radiation. This is done by the detector noticing an amplified signal caused by the collision with contaminants. Additional electronic systems measure these reactions to determine if the level is dangerous.
The purification portion of indoor air quality systems involves a fan mechanism that draws the air. An internal filter removes the contaminants and the air is circulated back out.
How Much Do They Cost?
Indoor air quality systems for businesses are going to be more expensive than home systems. Whereas a good system for your home costs around $400-$500, industrial systems will start in the thousands, and the higher-end models can go for more than $10,000.
Are You Ready to Add an Indoor Air Quality System to Your Business?
Now that you know about these seven great benefits of indoor air quality systems, what are you waiting for? Having one of these systems shows your employees you care about their health, and they can even be beneficial in lowering your utility bills. These systems are easy to maintain but due to the upfront investment, you should always have a professional install them.
If you’re ready to learn more about getting one of these systems installed in your business, contact us to get started.
