To prevent poor indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, sometimes the solution is as easy as a breath of fresh air.
Innovative HVAC provider, Air Change, explains how new legislation covering End-of-Trip Facilities (EOTF) has encouraged property owners to rethink ventilation options and make use of heat recovery technology.
Across Australia, state governments and commuters alike are embracing "active transport options", trading in private automobiles and overcrowded public transport for an opportunity to increase fitness and avoid traffic.
An increase in active transport enhances the need for EOTF, including lockable bicycle storage, lockers, showers and change rooms to enhance the user experience and increase active transport.
These facilities need to be placed in easily accessible areas for ease of access, which can often cause havoc on air quality.
With many governments in Australia legislating to ensure EOTFs are available to tenants of new buildings or ones with extensive redevelopment, this is now an issue that needs to be looked at by developers and HVAC professionals alike.
According to a report from CBRE, tenants in Sydney’s office market are placing a greater emphasis on concierge services and facilities.
Amenities such as changing rooms, lockers, towel services, lounge rooms and bike racks are all priorities now among tenants seeking CBD office property.
CBRE states that the increased focus on concierge services and high-quality amenities is leading to heightened levels of staff satisfaction and productivity. As a result, landlords are attracting and retaining their tenants, with many office properties across CBDs nationally undergoing refurbishments to ensure they remain competitive.
This increase in retrofit EOTFs poses an issue similar to change rooms at health clubs or bathrooms in sealed apartment blocks.
If air quality is low with little or no ventilation, this can lead to the fast deterioration of equipment and the growth of mould and other bacteria due to the moist nature of the environment.
To prevent poor IAQ issues, it is imperative to have high levels of outdoor fresh air circulated throughout EOTFs.
It is commonly thought that cooling (or heating) fresh air can be expensive. This perceived cost has prohibited many from ventilating these areas adequately. Using heat recovery technology can reduce the costs of conditioning the outside air.
Air Change’s innovative technology provides a solution to this issue, incorporating the internationally patented heat exchanger technology to reduce energy.
The air-to-air counter flow heat exchanger technology precools the high levels of outdoor air using transfer energy from exhaust air, reducing the energy involved in conditioning outdoor air by up to 75 per cent.
Aside from IAQ issues, another major challenge in air conditioning EOTF is that they are generally retrofitted into existing car parks, toilets and basements.
This puts available plant space at a premium, requiring specifically designed compact HVAC systems.
The new In Ceiling Energy Recovery Ventilator range from Air Change is an ideal choice due to the low profile dimensions, in built filters and simple maintenance access.
The units feature the patented heat recovery technology and EC plug fans for ultimate energy efficiency and can also incorporate chilled and/or hot water coils.
As commuters in major cities move towards active transport, the need for high quality EOTFs will surely increase. Providing smart, compact, energy efficient solutions that provide superior indoor air quality will be the key to a successful project.
For all the latest on IAQ issues check out the August edition of Climate Control News magazine.