You Can Help Increase Employee Productivity by Taking Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality
Research has shown that the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a facility has an impact on the mental abilities, and wellness of its occupants. This means that the IAQ will affect productivity and your bottom line. We’ve put together the following list of tips to help you improve the indoor air quality for your business facility.
1. Planned Maintenance for Your HVAC System
The air in your building circulates via the HVAC system. Therefore, it’s important to have this equipment routinely serviced by qualified HVAC technicians. They will take care of things such as filter and belt replacements. They will also make sure the system is performing at its best. This is the most effective step to getting the best air quality, comfort, and efficiency from your existing HVAC system.
2. Plan and Budget to Improve the Equipment of Your HVAC System
With the help of a qualified and experienced commercial HVAC company, assess the needs of your building. Make sure to consider air filtration, fresh air supply, humidity levels, air pressure, and heating and cooling. Prioritize which items need attention most urgently. Then, create a timeline and budget for obtaining the necessary equipment.
3. Proper Management and Storage of Chemicals, Biohazards and Waste
Many items found inside a facility—including solvents, adhesives, printers, fax machines, foods and liquids—release contaminants into the air. The air outside the facility can also contribute to poor IAQ. This would include things like the exhaust from a loading bay or cigarette smoke. Make sure to have policies in place regarding the storage and disposal of items that can affect the air quality. It may also be necessary to design an additional or separate ventilation system for problem areas.
4. Furniture and Equipment Placement
Items such as furniture, displays, and partitions can obstruct air flow if they are covering air supply registers. Some office equipment, such as printers, generate heat and affect the amount of air the HVAC system supplies when placed too close to a return air register or thermostat. A good facility design will take into account the furniture and equipment placement when planning for healthy IAQ.
5. Proper Use of Space
It’s not uncommon for a business to grow and need more office space. Sometimes the solution is to re-purpose an area of the building—such as a storage or equipment room—into an office space. Those spaces may not have the right amount of air flow or filtration to accommodate office occupants. When this happens it’s important to have a commercial HVAC company make the needed system changes for the space.
6. Get Educated About IAQ
Anyone on staff tasked with the responsibilities of facility management or maintenance should be aware of common IAQ problems. Continual learning will also help them get acquainted with new technology, equipment, and the solutions available for improving the IAQ.
Improve Your Indoor Air Quality Today!
Metal Masters, Inc. is the leading provider of commercial HVAC solutions in Medford and Klamath Falls, in Oregon. We offer a wide range of services and products that can help your business achieve better indoor air quality, from heating and air conditioning solutions to air filtration and purification systems. Contact Metal Masters, Inc. today to learn more about our services.