Improving Health and Reducing Energy Consumption: Proper Monitoring Makes It Possible to Connect the Two

In building management, there has traditionally been a trade-off between energy savings and indoor air quality. Maintaining clean, fresh air meant increasing air intake and using more energy for cooling and heating. Today, Sol-In’s advanced indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring and management system means that both health and efficiency can be maintained without compromise.

The Major Challenge CO2 Poses for Indoor Air Quality Management

CO2 is one of the most widely discussed air pollutants today, largely due to its contribution to the greenhouse effect and climate change. However, it also has serious negative effects on a smaller scale. People exhale CO2 with every breath they take, which isn’t such an issue outdoors. Indoors, on the other hand, it can quickly lead to occupied spaces having much higher CO2 levels.

High CO2 leads to a thoroughly unpleasant indoor environment. Low energy, drowsiness, and “sick building syndrome” are all potential outcomes that affect the comfort, productivity, and health of people in rooms with high CO2 levels. The solution is simple – increase the ventilation rate to bring in more fresh air. However, that introduces new challenges as well.

Buildings almost always operate either heating or cooling on a daily basis. Bringing in more fresh air means that the new air must be brought to the correct temperature, using more energy. That means higher costs for building owners.

The alternative is to lower ventilation, saving energy but reducing indoor air quality. Finding an effective balance is particularly difficult because CO2 levels change with occupancy, with crowded rooms needing more ventilation but no way to handle this in real time. This compromise has been a long-standing problem for building managers, but new technology is making it a thing of the past.

CO2 levels also serve as a predictor of general indoor air quality. As CO2 levels rise, it indicates that there are more occupants in the space. They exhale not only CO2 but also a variety of airborne germs. Occupants suffer from both the direct impact of CO2, and also the health risks associated with these other contaminants. Increasing ventilation in response to high CO2 levels provides fresh air to replace the contaminated air.

Read more on The Impact of Poor Indoor Air Quality and What Building Managers Can Do About It here.

The Importance of Data Collection and Analysis

Sol-In’s smart IAQ monitoring and management system collects data and carries out analysis in real-time to maintain optimal IAQ. This extensive range of data includes CO2 levels, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter, and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity.

This data then undergoes AI and ML analysis to identify patterns, detect anomalies, and predict future air quality. By analyzing these trends, Sol-In’s system provides a solid foundation for proactive IAQ management. Building management systems (BMS) can optimize ventilation and HVAC systems, and building managers and maintenance teams can make informed decisions.

This foundation of real-time data and analysis makes it possible to balance health and energy efficiency. The real-time insight into occupancy and air quality for specific zones throughout any type of property makes it possible to regulate ventilation and fresh air intake as needed. By only bringing in fresh air when necessary, less energy is used for heating and cooling.

Effective risk assessment is vital for management companies and building owners. By monitoring IAQ data, they can make informed decisions to ensure the health and safety of occupants. Proactive measures based on accurate data help minimize risks, maintain compliance, and create a healthier living environment for all.

Real-Time Monitoring and Smart Building Management

Traditionally, building management has relied on little more than simple thermostats to regulate HVAC systems. These systems had no way to account for occupancy and usage patterns that can have a major impact on indoor air quality. Of course, occupied rooms build up more CO2, airborne germs, and contaminants. With modern real-time monitoring, smart building management can tackle these challenges.

The most basic features in this area include increasing ventilation when higher CO2 levels are detected. These levels typically indicate room occupancy, so signaling the system to activate will provide those occupants with fresh air and remove more pathogens. A room with low CO2 levels is likely empty, so the system can save energy by reducing ventilation in that zone.

Sol-In takes this further with proactive IAQ management. Over time, the data collected by Sol-In’s sensors is used to evaluate patterns of use. This enables the system to react more effectively to changing conditions, bringing rooms to comfortable conditions quickly in anticipation of occupants and other changes to indoor air quality factors.

This type of data enables real-time air quality management, but also supports maintenance efforts. Analysis provides maintenance teams with insight into system performance, letting them make informed decisions. Building owners can also rely on this proactive system to maintain compliance with ASHRAE 241 and LEED certification, satisfying their ventilation and CO2 level requirements.

Sol-In’s Adaptive Air Management

Sol-In’s adaptive air management system changes the way that facilities approach IAQ management. This advanced system can be understood with the simple concepts of Where, When, and How Many. By continuously monitoring these key parameters, Sol-In allows for real-time adjustments that maximize both health and energy efficiency.

Where

Sol-In’s sensors are distributed throughout specific zones throughout a given facility. This could mean a sensor for each room, or a zone might encompass a broader area. As CO2 levels and other factors deviate within these zones, the system identifies which zones are occupied. This also identifies the location of any potential IAQ issues that must be addressed.

When

This system works in real time, allowing ventilation to adapt to immediate conditions. Air exchange is rapidly available when a zone becomes occupied, ensuring a healthy and comfortable environment for occupants. A similarly rapid detection reduces ventilation once a zone is no longer occupied, reducing energy used by HVAC systems.

How Many

CO2 levels and other metrics don’t just indicate whether a room is occupied but provide insight into the number of occupants as well. This lets Sol-In’s system adjust ventilation based on the most accurate demand metrics tailored to the occupancy levels in specific zones within a facility.

Read more on Indoor Air Quality Standards – Why, When, How, and Where here.

Embracing the Future of IAQ Monitoring and Management

By leveraging real-time IAQ data and analysis with Sol-In, you don’t have to choose between healthy IAQ and HVAC costs. Instead, you can achieve optimal health and comfort within your facility while saving more on energy costs. That means up to 30% in energy savings for a typical building. Book a meeting with our team today to see how much you can save with Sol-In.