Why fresh air ventilation is good for your health

We need oxygen to stay alive, but how clean is the air that we breathe?  We’re always hearing about the effects that pollution can have on our health, particularly those of us that live in built up areas or close to major road systems. But what about the air inside the buildings we work in each day?

Poor internal air quality is not only bad for productivity, it can also be bad for our health and can be attributed to a variety of ailments such as asthma, eczema, colds and the flu.

The good news is that there are cost efficient changes that you can make to improve the internal air around you and those around you, making for a much healthier working environment.

Modern ventilation systems

Think about how you feel when you leave the house and take a lung full of fresh air – it’s invigorating and makes you feel more alert. To have clean, fresh air within a building can transform the working environment – in fact the air inside ventilated buildings can be fresher and cleaner than the air outside!

Commercial buildings can be ventilated with fresh air through heat recovery or air handling units (AHU’s) that re-condition and circulate fresh air as part of a heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system. Simply put, the stale air inside the building is drawn into the AHU and re-conditioned to remove the impurities. Then the re-conditioned air is either heated or cooled (depending on the temperature settings) and then delivered back into the building as clean, fresh air.

There are a variety of different ventilation systems available, depending on the size and use of the building and its parts. Some parts of a building might only be used on occasions whereas other areas, say school classrooms, are used by lots people over long periods.

Energy efficient ventilation systems use minimal energy to ventilate a building by extracting the stale air and bringing in fresh air from outside which is then either heated or cooled as required using the outside air, depending on the time of year.

Who should install a fresh air ventilation system?

Fresh air ventilation systems must be installed in larger, commercial buildings that are sealed and this is highly regulated.  However many smaller business can significantly benefit, particularly those where groups of people sit or gather regularly. These would include:

• Bars and restaurants
• Health centres or surgeries
• Schools and universities
• Health or sports clubs
• Libraries or public sector buildings
• Offices or meeting rooms
• Hotels, hostels, student accommodation
• Local shops and coffee houses

What are the benefits of fresh air ventilation?

Ventilation systems can be installed to work alongside your current heating or cooling system.  They offer many benefits to either domestic or commercial buildings including:

• Clean, fresh air
• Reduce energy bills
• Proven health benefits
• Improved productivity
• Fewer employee sick days
• A better experience for visitors
• Good green business practice

For a free assessment of your ventilation needs, along with a choice of energy efficient solutions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Part F Building Regulations issued in 2010 outlines the requirements for the supply of fresh air ventilation in both domestic and commercial buildings. Click here to find out more.