Commercial Air Quality Affects Office Processes and Personnel
Indoor air pollutants are responsible for causing illness, from minor to chronic. Your customers, team members, and guests should trust that the air in your commercial spaces is safe to breathe and that you’re doing everything you can to improve indoor air quality (IAQ).
Breathing clean air helps keep people healthy and avoid falling ill from pollutants, which can cause minor issues to major ones, like cancer. In fact, air quality is such a critical issue that local, state, and federal laws commonly address it.
It’s hard to put a specific dollar amount on the value of indoor air quality, but there are numerous benefits to ensuring your commercial building’s air is as pure as it can possibly be.
Where Does Indoor Pollution Come From?
Indoor pollution is created by common appliances, products, and processes, so often it is unavoidable. But the way you treat polluted air, using HEPA filtration and air distribution systems, is what makes it healthier to breathe.
Indoor pollutants come from:
- Fuel-burning combustion appliances
- Building materials and furnishings, such as carpeting, furniture made of pressed-wood products, and deteriorating asbestos-based insulation
- Tobacco products
- Cleansers and personal care products
- Central heating and cooling systems
- Humidification devices and excess moisture
- Outdoor sources that come inside, including radon and pesticides
Ensuring these pollutants are removed from the air protects everyone who breathes in your building.
Commercial Air Quality Reduces Sick Time and Increases Productivity
Breathing poor quality air can make you feel unwell and exacerbate certain existing health problems. It’s common practice today for employers to ask employees who are not feeling well to stay home from work.
For those working in an office setting, “sick building syndrome” increases the risk of absenteeism due to illness. Symptoms from poor ventilation include skin and eye irritation, inflammation, respiratory illnesses, and more.
But indoor air quality management can change all of that. In fact, in 1983, Lockheed Martin moved one of its teams into a new building with improved airflow. Absenteeism dropped by about 15 percent, and the resulting increase in productivity paid for the cost of the building within one year.
Good air quality also helps improve concentration, energy, and job satisfaction. High levels of fresh air and plenty of oxygen help the human brain perform at its best. A Harvard University study found that doubling building ventilation rates costs about $40 per person, but they valued the increased productivity at $6,500 per year.
The Right Air Distribution System Saves You Money
The right stainless steel HVAC system can help you manage your energy bills, while balancing the need for ventilation and efficiency.
Well fabricated grilles, sealed ductwork, and diffusers direct your HVAC system’s air where it’s supposed to be – and keeps it out of places it isn’t.
Each piece of your stainless steel air distribution system should be tested for leaks before installation – and AJ Manufacturing does intensive testing before packing up orders and sending them to your job site.
Employees are More Comfortable with Commercial Air Control Systems
The right air temperature creates a comfortable, productive work environment and can contribute to air quality.
If your employees have to dress in layers to stay warm or remove suit jackets or cardigans to keep cool, then your office’s temperature is unsuitable. When commercial air quality and temperature are both comfortable, it’s much easier to focus on tasks.
Controlling humidity and keeping levels between 40 and 60 percent reduces mold and fungus growth and makes the air less appealing for bacteria and viruses. The right humidity level can help keep your employees healthier.
Indoor Climate Influences Your Company Culture
When a guest or customer visits your business, the way your space looks and feels makes an important first impression.
Uncomfortable environments drive people out, but if they’re breathing clean air and feel comfortable with your climate control, they’re more likely to stay a while. Especially if you’re in the retail or hospitality business, the longer a customer stays, the better – and they’re likely to come back, too.
Get an A+ on Your Commercial Air Quality
Made-to-order stainless steel HVAC components from AJ Manufacturing contribute to your commercial air quality and help your employees and guests breathe easier and feel comfortable.
When it’s time to upgrade your system, contact AJ Manufacturing in Kansas City. We ship around the world and specialize in components for critical environments and commercial buildings that provide a noticeable return on investment.