IAQ Maintenance
Clean Air specialists, AES Environmental, provide in-depth testing and investigations of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), including yearly air quality testing, parameter assessment, and conducting investigations of IAQ concerns. We understand clean air and our specialists can determine appropriate filtration solutions to improve your indoor air quality.
Indoor air quality specialists at AES Environmental can help you with all parts of your testing and investigations, including yearly air quality testing, parameter assessment, and conducting in-depth investigations of indoor air quality issues.
Indoor Air Contaminants
Government guidelines and legislation stipulate exposure limits (SWL’s) for a range of contaminants, including but not limited to:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – from building occupants and combustion of fuels such as gas and oil furnaces and heaters.
- Particulate concentration including PM 2.5
- Carbon monoxide (CO) – from vehicle exhaust brought into the building by air intakes
- Dust mites – from carpets, fabric, foam chair cushions
- Other sources: tobacco smoke, perfume, body odour, food, etc
Common issues associated with IAQ
- Improperly maintained heating and ventilation systems.
- Poor selection of air filtration products or filtration products that are underperforming
- Contamination caused by other materials such as, glues, fibre glass, particle boards, chemicals and paints etc.
- Increase in the number of building occupants and the time sent in doors.
Health and Safety
In recent years concerns have been growing related to pollution and the effects pollution has on those within the built environment. ISO16890 further draws attention to the safety concerns by classifying air filtration products within a PM (Particulate Matter) scale, with PM 2.5 being of the highest concern. Particles of PM 2.5 size range can travel deep within the lungs causing both short and long-term health effects including lung irritation, shortness of breath and exacerbation of other medical conditions such as heart disease and asthma.
An influx of research during the Covid-19 Pandemic has revealed that poor indoor air conditions are linked to the spread of viruses and other communicable diseases. To reduce the risk, ASHRAE, CDC, ABCB and Standards Australia recommend several ventilation and filtration strategies aimed at maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
Services
AES Environmental is able to provide a variety of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing services to improve the air quality in your space including:
NABERS compliant standard IAQ Testing: Including Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Temperature and Humidity. Standard IAQ testing is the go-to for most commercial office applications and helps to support HVAC reporting.
Microbiological Testing: Including surface and air sampling with analysis completed by a registered NATA laboratory to determine if there is an mould, bacteria or yeast present.
In-depth IAQ analysis: Further analysis for particle concentrations, VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) or targeted, known, contaminants such as industrial manufacturing and materials processing applications.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
Monitoring
IAQ changes with the seasons, weather and light levels meaning it will have to be regularly monitored.
Improve Ventilation
A well-ventilated workplace is a healthy workplace that is known to significantly reduce viral risks. Although, opening a window may suffice in some cases, mechanical ventilation systems can double this efficiency.
Find the right temperature
Indoor temperature impacts humidity levels, viral risk, and employee comfort. Temperatures, on the other hand, fluctuate greatly due to shifts in occupancy and the weather. A smart HVAC system that is capable of regulating temperature regardless of these conditions is necessary for optimizing IAQ.
Change HVAC filters regularly
It’s important to clean HVAC systems frequently. To stop dust and other air pollutants from returning to your indoor air, make sure to change the filters occasionally. Filters that are clogged can reduce airflow and hasten the accumulation of pollutants in enclosed areas.
Maintain a balance
Air filtration is essential in any HVAC system but no two HVAC units are ever the same. Ensuring that the air filters used within the HVAC system are performing correctly, are not shedding any harmful VOC’s or particulate matter and are the optimal choice for your system is critical in improving IAQ.
Why is it important to improve IAQ?
Building Efficiency
Clean air has significant financial and operational benefits; HVAC systems account for an average of 39% of total energy use, so optimization based on air quality data can significantly improve your bottom line.
Maintaining Occupancy
Clean buildings with a healthy environment are sought-after by employers and employees. Maintaining a clean environment within the work space has been proven to increase productivity, decreasing the amount of lost time through illness.
Reducing Costs
Maintenance costs related to HVAC systems and the work space environment can be costly, as can the cost of stock. Maintaining a healthy environment can help to reduce the need to dispose of waste stock that has become damaged or soiled by the local environment, refurbish areas that have become aesthetically unattractive and conduct expensive maintenance activities related to the HVAC system, such as duct cleaning.