Your office should be a wonderful place to be. Good air quality isn’t only a matter of cleaning. Air filtration, HVAC design, and system maintenance play a large role in how fresh your workplace smells. And pure air isn’t simply a matter of pleasant smells; better air quality also helps reduce the spread of illness, which reduces absenteeism and healthcare costs.
How Building Design Affects Air Quality
Some buildings are built to improve ventilation and airflow. Airtight buildings save money on heating and cooling, but they aren’t always best for fresh air. Why? Because they lack good ventilation, which means the HVAC doesn’t move stale air out of the building as effectively. The result is stale air that feels musty, contains more bacteria, and dust particles and is less enjoyable to breathe in.
Recycled air in buildings can also lead to a buildup of CO2, resulting in drowsiness and that 3:00 pm headache that always seems to hit out of nowhere. Although you can’t redesign an entire building for better ventilation, you can improve airflow with a stronger HVAC unit and better filters.
Understanding Filtration
Commercial HVACs need stronger air filters to work well, especially in large offices and buildings where dozens to hundreds of people share common spaces. Offices that use high-grade filters with a MERV rating of 13 or higher can trap tiny particles from smoke, dust, pollution, and more. This results in a clean smell, helps filter out some viruses more effectively, and creates a fresher office space.
If a building is using an outdated HVAC with a poor air filter, the typical dusty smell that some offices have will never really go away. Air filters are the frontline of defense against the particles that cause lingering odors.
VOC Exposure
VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are everywhere; some buildings have more than others, which can negatively impact the air quality. Once again, a high-quality, commercial-grade air filter is the best way to reduce them.
Offices that maintain a fresh space reduce VOCs as much as possible by using “green” cleaning solutions and selecting low-VOC furniture, carpeting, and other materials. Investing in more environmentally friendly products is also an investment in better employee health.
When you purchase new furniture, allow it to “off-gas” in a well-ventilated space before placing it in the main office. Installing carpets and painting on weekends or during holidays can also reduce VOCs in the air and preserve good air quality.
Steps to Improve Office Air Quality
In addition to improving everyday practices, office managers should prioritize their HVAC maintenance and air filtration. Even if you can’t physically remodel to improve ventilation, you can often upgrade your HVAC or air filter MERV rating to get fresher, cleaner air that makes a difference in how everyone works and feels day to day. When you need commercial air services in Monroe, LA, contact Gordon AC & Plumbing.
