The Relationship between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and energy conservation

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The Relationship between Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and energy conservation

Hypothesis

The existence and good management of an IAQ is an effective incentive to prospective tenants, and property buyers. When quality IAQ systems are installed in a building can be used as a selling point for the properties since people needs clean air where they are living or working. Therefore, indoor quality air improves energy conservation.

Abstract

There exists a strong relationship between IAQ and energy efficiency, and therefore appropriate maintenance of the internal air quality within buildings is increasing becoming very important. With the ravages of the environment such as global warming, green house gas emissions, and other type of environmental pollution, it has become a requirement to have clean air. With the effects of globalization, many people are increasing becoming aware on te need for environmental conservation, and everybody is increasingly getting concerned with green production, green chemistry, and almost every facet of man today has a “green” suffix. The concept of having clean air to breath is gaining much prominence, where the occupants of various buildings need comfort, performance, and quality health. There are many factors that affect the indoor air quality, and controlling these factors for improved air quality is an important marketing instrument. These factors would include pollution, heat, humidity, ventilation, and other methods of controlling air flow and the quality of air.

Introduction

The objectives of this study are to establish a connection between likeability of buildings and the nature of controlling the quality of air. Another reason for the study is to discern how he comfortability of the occupants of buildings is highly relative to the methods used in controlling air quality in buildings. The dilemma of regarding the indoor quality of air must have been an issue of facility managers and real estate owners. The demand for facilities that ensure indoor quality air is on the exponential rise, with a greater percentage of the human population being aware of the effects of having bad air (Sridevi, &, Monto, 676-686).

Today’s consumer is very perceptive about his or her environment, and it will always be the first thing a buyer or consumer will countercheck before committing to purchase a service or good. How the service or good is packaged is of great essence. In this case , the concern is on houses where people live, offices and factories where people work. This also includes recreational areas. If the property marketers can vigorously include the fact that their properties ensures that IAQ conserves the environment, then it is a good starting point to sell the properties. When the environment is conserved implies that all the components including heat is conserved.

Discussion

Good preventive maintenance and housekeeping measure are very central to establishing quality air within buildings. Air quality has many components including the level of heat, the presence of pollutants such as odors, foul air, level of humidity, and the general flow of air within the buildings. The outdoor air flow rates affect the conditions of indoor air quality, along with temperature and humidity requirements. The cost of energy regulation is an important part of ensuring the indoor quality air. The cost is related to installing ventilation systems and other control methods. Energy efficiency reduces the cost of operation. The system that uses fossil fuels contributes to emission of green gases, and it is a matter of public policy to promote efficient utilization of control systems and energy utilization. The thermal comfortably sheds light on the design and operation of HVAC especially in commercial buildings which accommodates many people at a particular time (Wang, et al, 638-647)

The energy conservation strategies must be in line with the standards set by ANSI/ASHRAE standard 55-1992 for thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy . The temperature and humidity requirements needs that the outside air flow rates is 20 cfm per occupant of office spaces, 15 cfm per occupant for educational premises, and auditoriums should go by the ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55-1992.  These flow rates are set due to occupancy design conditions to regulate temperature and humidity. The space temperatures should be maintained at between 70 and 79 degrees F, and relative humidity levels not exceeding 60%. The space temperature and space relative humidity are to be taken care of to ensure the occupants of buildings have access to quality indoor air. These criteria are associated with cost reduction, heat reduction, and increased comfort. The different control systems such as ventilation controls and air cleaning technologies  impacts on the outdoor air so that the air flow do not have outdoor pollution elements affecting the indoor quality air (Wang, et al, 638-647)

The issue of outdoor air flow is important for both old and new buildings, which should incorporate features of energy conscious designs and retrofit strategies. If the existing buildings had been designed with poor outdoor air flow performance, will be urged to raise these rates to improve the quality of indoor air. These factors should be able to address the issues of the environment adequately in buildings, and property owners should address and identify situations where serious problems could occur. Assessing the balance between energy, indoor air, and thermal objectives is key to the design and operation of HVAC systems in commercial buildings. Professional and practitioners should generate the necessary data to guide the design and operation of ventilation systems to check cost reduction and energy saving strategies, while maintaining the thermal comfort and outdoor air flow performance. Areas where studies that are more concerted should be performed to ensure quality air for occupants of buildings are. Development of an environmental assessment database, assessment of energy and outdoor air flow rates for office build.............