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Many factors must be considered when creating a space that feels comfortable to occupants and harnesses productivity. Factors such as air quality, thermal climate, relative humidity, air velocity, acoustics and lighting all play important roles in creating an optimal indoor environment. It is also important to look at the full range of services controlling these conditions in unison, rather than designing services in isolation. This is key to unlocking the greatest savings potential through smart practices, and avoiding inefficient routines and conflicts.
Research reveals that one in three individuals face health challenges due to their workplace indoor climate, with temperature and ventilation being the primary concerns. Indoor climate and ventilation systems influence these crucial factors, emphasising the importance of thoughtful planning during building design. In addition to energy savings, a well-designed indoor climate can lead to a reduction in absence, increased productivity, and higher employee retention, generating enormous value to a client. However, these benefits are often overlooked in project cost assessments.
Why air quality matters
Heightened levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) have been proven to negatively impact cognitive functions. According to the WELL standard, a sufficiently ventilated office can double cognitive abilities. In contrast, performance can decline by 6% in excessively warm environments and by 4% in colder settings.
It is important to not just react to the number of people in a space as is the traditional approach, but rather to ensure there is a healthy indoor air quality within a room regardless of how many people are present. Monitoring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) alongside CO2 levels allows for this.
Many VOCs can pose health risks if inhaled, and they are emitted from sources such as new furniture, building materials, paints, aerosols, cleaning products, and printers. Even after considerable time, some materials or finishes can continue to release large quantities of VOCs when exposed to direct sunlight.
Smart ventilation solutions
Only by taking a holistic approach can the most efficient buildings be achieved. Smart design practices should be implemented from the room level, all the way up to the central plant management. By intelligent use of the data available from all levels, operating harmony can be achieved across a building on a grander scale.
At the room level, balancing and maximising the effects between the ventilation and temperature control is crucial. Concepts such as increasing the room temperature deadband during periods of un-occupancy, sequencing airflow boosts along with room level cooling, and automated solar shading can all aid to occupational comfort while reducing running costs.
Too often however, shortcuts are taken and poor practices are implemented resulting in wasted energy, or a detrimental effect on the indoor environment. For example, cooling or heating boosts with primary air should always be intelligent, comparing the primary temperature to the room temperature, to ensure the desired result will be achieved. In the past this has often been simplified for a minor installation saving, resulting in an intended ‘cooling boost’ conversely overheating the building with warmer outdoor air and wasting large amounts of energy overworking cooling systems to compensate.
While there is a significant focus on the efficiency of building services equipment, true efficiency lies in the intelligent design, planning, and integration of these systems. Occupants should have the ability to make minor comfort adjustments, while the system itself handles the interaction of conditions autonomously. This futureproofs the building for efficient operation despite potential changes in tenancy or management.
Swegon's vision
The perfect system is one that provides an optimum indoor environment that is healthy and comfortable, with the minimum energy required to achieve this at any given time. At Swegon, this is what we strive to achieve and our WISE system embodies this vision, offering high energy efficiency, operational optimisation at all levels, and a comprehensive overview of the entire system.
Swegon’s unique position and expertise across a broad range of HVAC systems and controls allows for seamless integration between room level systems and central plant. Complex optimisation and building functionality is made simple for designers, installers and building owners alike. Unlocking the opportunity for energy efficient smart buildings to become an achievable standard, rather than lofty aspiration.
In conclusion, the path to an optimal indoor environment involves a nuanced understanding of multiple factors and the intelligent integration of systems. Swegon strives to support this through commitment to efficiency, comfort, and sustainability, to set a new standard for the buildings of tomorrow.
