Indoor Air Quality Archives

Mitigating poor IAQ concerns with efficient ventilation

By Rahul Aeron, Vice President, Desiccant Rotors International | The Daily Guardian| March 05, 2024

With the plummeting Air Quality Index at the onset of winter, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) remains a pressing matter as it can severely impact the health of the occupants. Where pollution is engulfing the country, people prefer staying indoors to avoid being exposed to severe pollution levels outside. But contrary to the common misconception that air inside the room is safe, it comes as a surprise to many that indoor air is 10 times worse and more polluted than outdoor air.

This is primarily because packed buildings lack proper ventilation. With people keeping the doors and windows closed during the winter, the air inside the room is incapable of escaping outside. As a result, the indoor air quality deteriorates manifold, making it severely polluted as compared to the outdoor air. The problem is further compounded in commercial and industrial spaces, such as healthcare, construction, factories, hotels, airports, offices, etc., as they come with complex and tight structures without much scope for ventilation.

The presence of numerous indoor air pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the form of synthetic building materials, furnishings, cleaning supplies, etc. invariably degrades the air within the closed premises. To further escalate the problem, the presence of humidity in the space encourages the growth of microorganisms such as mould and mildew that give rise to musty odour and severely affect the well-being of the occupants.

Poor IAQ can give rise to breathing issues, lethargy, pain in the eye, coughing, headaches, fatigue, and many more health conditions. In addition to this, inadequate ventilation can cause a phenomenon called ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ that can impact the overall health and well-being of a person.

Therefore, gauging the health consequences arising from poor IAQ, it is imperative that occupants focus on improving the ventilation of the enclosed space to experience enhanced public health. By improving the IAQ, ventilation can invariably contribute to curtailing the health risks related to respiratory illness and chronic conditions.
As a result, to achieve optimal ventilation, installing an HVAC system in the building can significantly enhance the proper ventilation of the space. It comes with the ability to supply a steady flow of fresh air throughout the building. It works on the mechanism of bringing fresh air from outside to carry out the dilution of indoor contaminated air. In the process of removing stale air from the inside, it also filters the pollutants coming in from the outside. The systems are adept at maintaining a positive pressure in the building that forces the contaminants to move out of the space.

In addition to ventilating the space, HVAC systems provide thermal comfort to the occupants. They employ advanced desiccant technology to remove moisture from the air with the intervention of hygroscopic substances. It comes handy in maintaining the optimal RH of the building which invariably contributes to toning down the air as per the requirement of the given space and goes the extra mile to inhibit the growth of unwanted microorganisms such as mould, mildew, and other substances.

Installing advanced Energy Recovery systems can further help in addressing the issue of poor IAQ efficiently. Making use of Enthalpy Wheels, the technology is adept at ventilating the space that too without compromising the air conditioning load of the room. Therefore, in the process of improving the IAQ, it also reduces the operational cost of HVAC systems significantly. Moreover, looking at the alarming rate of pollution, employing Air Purification Systems can be of great help in controlling the depleting state of IAQ. Being well equipped with honeycomb-designed chemical filters, it comes in handy in removing the gaseous contaminants from the building.

Looking at the rising menace of poor IAQ on health conditions, in addition to employing an HVAC system, people should also adopt Green Buildings with alacrity. By making use of green products, the buildings are the way forward in striking the right balance between the comfort of the occupants and reducing the energy consumption of the building.

Energy Recovery Ventilators: Enhancing Indoor Air Quality while Saving Energy

Urbanization has led to the emergence of air pollution at an advanced level. Global efforts are underway to address the environmental havoc caused by outdoor air pollution. However, amidst the magnitude of this issue, people often overlook the equally detrimental effects of indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution can sometimes exceed the damage caused by outdoor air pollution, as it becomes trapped within enclosed spaces with limited ventilation.

Modern building structures, with their tight designs aimed at minimizing air infiltration, further exacerbate the problem by restricting the entry of fresh air. Consequently, indoor air pollutants such as formaldehyde, asbestos, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust, pollen, dirt, pet dander, biological growth, and excess humidity accumulate, deteriorating Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and making it 2-3 times more polluted than outdoor air.

Occupants become highly vulnerable to the adverse effects of poor IAQ, which can lead to severe short-term and long-term health issues that may not manifest immediately but persist as underlying ailments.

Breathing difficulties, fatigue, and eye discomfort are some direct consequences of poor ventilation. At the same time, a phenomenon known as “Sick Building Syndrome” has emerged, significantly impacting overall health and well-being, particularly for individuals with pre-existing allergies and asthma conditions.

The problem intensifies in large commercial and industrial spaces with complex, tightly sealed structures and high occupancy. In addition to the negative implications on health, poor IAQ in settings such as offices, schools, and workplaces can significantly impair concentration and productivity among occupants.

Role of Energy Recovery Ventilators

Fortunately, the menace of poor IAQ can be mitigated by introducing clean, fresh air from outside into the building. Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) is the most effective solution for improving IAQ by continuously circulating cool, fresh air.

Energy Recovery Ventilators is a balanced mechanical ventilation system that conditions incoming fresh air by recovering energy from the outgoing stale air, matching indoor temperature. Not only does ERV efficiently eliminate thick indoor air, but it also replaces it with fresh outside air.

This versatile technology not only exchanges dry heat but also removes moisture from space. Furthermore, ERV minimizes energy loss by transferring humidity and heat from the outgoing stale/exhaust air to the incoming fresh air throughout the year.

Energy recovery ventilation is the future of intelligent buildings that prioritize energy efficiency. It seamlessly integrates with HVAC systems without compromising operational capacity, significantly enhancing overall efficiency. By adopting ERV, facilities can achieve comfortable conditions in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner, marking a significant step towards healthier indoor environments.

Exploring ERV and HRV Systems: Unveiling Their Inner Workings

As previously mentioned, ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation) and HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) systems ensure a consistent supply of fresh air while harnessing and reclaiming energy before it exits the building. This remarkable feat is achieved through a heat exchanger, which transfers heat between the outgoing building air and the incoming fresh air. It’s important to note that the two airstreams never come into direct contact.

Instead, ERVs and HRVs employ various technologies to transfer heat and humidity, pre-conditioning the incoming fresh air. The choice between ERV and HRV technology depends on factors such as the building type, its specific usage, and any seasonal or climate variations that may come into play.

The primary consideration in selecting the appropriate technology revolves around the need for humidity control. While a heat recovery ventilation system solely recovers heat from the exhaust air, an energy recovery ventilation system goes further by recovering heat and moisture. This capability allows for effective control of humidity levels within the building. In most building applications, this can significantly impact heating and cooling costs, as well as overall comfort throughout the building.

Despite the seemingly complex nature of these systems, ERVs and HRVs can be highly efficient. The efficiency level can vary depending on the technology employed and its specific application. However, these units can generally achieve efficiency levels ranging from 50% to 80%, effectively capturing a substantial portion of the energy before it escapes the building.

By pre-conditioning the incoming air, an ERV or HRV reduces the load on the building’s HVAC system. This translates to lower energy bills and the potential to downsize the HVAC system, resulting in additional cost savings.

The benefits of ERV and HRV systems extend beyond reduced heating and cooling loads. These systems can help balance the ventilation system, effectively addressing any positive or negative pressure issues within the building. In doing so, they can minimize uncontrolled infiltration or exfiltration, if present (although tighter structures typically do not encounter this problem).

Moreover, ERVs and HRVs can be configured in various setups, whether integrated with an existing HVAC system or installed alongside a new one. This flexibility allows for customization based on the unique needs of the building.

At DRI Rotors, we assist our customers with the most profitable energy ventilators for their business needs. Get in touch with our representatives today to discuss the best solution for you.

Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems: Providing Optimal Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

Various approaches have been undertaken to conserve energy and enhance indoor comfort. Initially, the concept was to seal buildings, minimizing the infiltration and ventilation of air, thereby retaining the warm or cold air inside and reducing energy use.

Unfortunately, this method quickly showed flaws as the building occupants started to experience symptoms like dry coughs, headaches, and nasal irritations. The culprit has been the contamination within the air conditioning system.

Research has consistently highlighted the correlation between indoor air quality and human health after this revelation. As a result, the approach shifted from sealing buildings to sourcing solutions from external air i.e. Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems.

So, What Exactly is a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS)?

Judging by its name, one could assume the system is designed for outdoor use. However, having a system intended to enhance outdoor air quality wouldn’t make sense. Thus, it’s a system built outdoors to modify indoor air quality.

In essence, DOAS is an outdoor HVAC system, typically complementing other HVAC equipment. It acts as an air filter for the HVAC system, filtering the outdoor air before introducing it inside the building. As such, DOAS can eliminate outdoor air contaminants and minimize indoor air pollution.

Usually, HVAC systems must process a considerable amount of outdoor air to provide warm or cold air indoors. The high humidity of outdoor air can lower the efficiency of the HVAC. DOAS addresses this by dehumidifying outdoor air and reducing energy consumption during ventilation.

Hence, when used alongside an indoor HVAC system, a DOAS can significantly improve indoor air quality, decrease energy usage, and avoid moisture-related issues within the HVAC system.

Indoor Air Quality Begins with Proper Ventilation

CO2 management in occupied spaces is at the heart of most ventilation requirements. As people breathe out CO2, high concentrations of this gas can accumulate in heavily populated areas, potentially reaching levels as high as 2000 to 5000 ppm, compared to the outdoor average of 400 ppm. Adequate ventilation is crucial to maintaining low CO2 levels and indoor air quality.

The Power of Decoupling with DOAS

DOAS offers several benefits over central station ventilation, making it a preferred choice for many designers. These benefits include enhanced ventilation quality, decoupled energy efficiency, and better control over temperature and humidity. Traditional central air handlers and rooftop units generally mix, condition, and supply outdoor and recirculate return air to space through a single piece of equipment, with outdoor air making up a small fraction of the supplied air.

The primary issue with these systems is the need for more ability to measure or control where the outdoor air ends up. Using a DOAS unit to decouple the ventilation air from the central recirculated air ensures evenly distributed fresh air across the building.

Moreover, the decoupling process allows controlled delivery of ventilation air to only occupied areas of a facility, promoting energy savings in low- or mixed-occupancy spaces. Such precise control is unachievable with centrally distributed ventilation systems.

Furthermore, the conditioning and supply of ventilation air is typically the most energy-intensive part of HVAC systems. Extreme temperature and latent loads can overpower traditional central stations or small terminal conditioning equipment, causing temperature control issues and excessive humidity.

DOAS is specifically designed to manage the extremes of processing ventilation air efficiently. By decoupling the ventilation air from the recirculated system, facility managers can independently control space humidity and temperature using DOAS for primary dehumidification and recirculating equipment for temperature control. This method promotes thermal comfort and ensures fresh air delivery to occupied spaces.

Packaging Efficiency

DOAS achieves the abovementioned benefits by leveraging cutting-edge refrigeration, control, and energy-recovery technologies. Most DOAS units are packaged direct expansion (DX) systems incorporating efficient variable-speed or multi-stage compressors for precise temperature and humidity control. This broad range of compressor capacity modulation is crucial to maintaining optimal comfort while minimizing energy usage. Coupling variable-speed DX technology with energy recovery solutions, like enthalpy wheels, plate heat exchangers, and hot gas and liquid sub-cool reheat systems, allows for high efficiency even under challenging conditions.

As the focus on ventilation and air quality continues to grow among facility managers and building owners, a trend expected to intensify, DOAS systems are increasingly recognized as a viable choice to promote energy-efficient healthy buildings. Get in touch with DRI Rotors to keep your facilities more relaxed and comfortable than others.

Improving Indoor Air Quality with Advanced Air Purification Systems: Benefits and Technologies

In our fast-paced modern lives, we spend much time indoors, whether at home, in offices, schools, or other indoor spaces. However, many people don’t realize that the air we breathe indoors can profoundly impact our health and well-being. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to various health issues, from respiratory problems to allergies, headaches, and fatigue.

Long-term exposure to indoor pollutants can even result in more severe health concerns like cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders. Poor IAQ can also affect productivity and performance in commercial settings, leading to decreased focus, increased sick leaves, and reduced overall efficiency.

Understanding Air Purification Systems

Air purification systems significantly combat indoor air pollution and create healthier indoor environments. These systems use various mechanisms to remove airborne pollutants from the indoor air, such as filtration, ionization, UV-C germicidal irradiation, and photocatalytic oxidation (PCO). Each technology offers unique benefits, making air purifiers an effective tool in improving IAQ.

Types of Air Purification Technologies

HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters

HEPA filters effectively capture small particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and mould spores. These filters can significantly improve air quality by removing various allergens and irritants.

Activated Carbon Filters

Activated carbon filters are excellent at removing odours, adverse chemicals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the indoor air. They absorb these pollutants, creating a fresher and cleaner indoor environment.

Electrostatic Precipitators

Electrostatic precipitators use an electric charge to trap particles in the air. They are instrumental in capturing larger particles like dust and smoke, making them an efficient option for specific indoor spaces.

UV-C Light Purifiers UV-C light purifiers use ultraviolet light to neutralize viruses and bacteria in the air, helping to reduce the risk of infections and improve overall hygiene.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) Systems

PCO systems combine UV light with a catalyst to break down pollutants, such as VOCs and other harmful gases, into harmless substances like carbon dioxide and water vapour.

Benefits of Advanced Air Purification Systems

Removal of Particulates and Allergens Advanced air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can efficiently capture and remove airborne particles, including dust, pollen, pet dander, and mould spores, thus significantly improving air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory issues caused by allergens.

Eliminating Harmful Chemicals and VOCs

Air purification systems with activated carbon filters can effectively absorb and eliminate harmful chemicals, odours, and VOCs, creating a healthier indoor environment.

Bacteria and Virus Inactivation

UV-C light purifiers and PCO systems can help inactivate bacteria and viruses, reducing the risk of infections and improving overall hygiene in indoor spaces.

Odour and Smoke Removal

Air cleaners, equipped with activated carbon filters, are particularly effective in removing stubborn odours and smoke, creating a pleasant and odour-free indoor environment.

Improved Respiratory Health

By reducing airborne allergens and irritants, advanced air purifiers can help alleviate respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergies, improving respiratory health and overall well-being.

Enhanced Indoor Air Quality in Commercial Spaces

Air purification systems in commercial settings can significantly improve IAQ, providing a healthier and more comfortable environment for employees and customers. Furthermore, adding to enhanced productivity and reduced absenteeism due to health-related issues.

Considerations for Choosing the Right Air Purification System

Before selecting an air purification system , it’s essential to assess the specific IAQ needs of the indoor space. Factors such as pollutant types and levels, room size and coverage area, filter replacement and maintenance, noise levels, and energy efficiency should all be considered. Choosing an energy-efficient, quiet air purifier ensures minimal disruption and reduced energy consumption.

Moreover, look for air purifiers with relevant certifications and industry standards for performance and safety. Reputable brands that offer comprehensive customer support and warranty coverage are also essential considerations when investing in an advanced air purification system.

Industrial Applications and Clean Room Environments

Precision and safety are paramount when discussing the use of advanced air purification systems in industrial applications and clean room environments.

Advanced air purification systems are vital in improving IAQ and creating safer and healthier indoor environments. By removing airborne pollutants, allergens, harmful chemicals, and bacteria, these systems contribute to better respiratory health, reduced allergies, and enhanced well-being for occupants.

In commercial settings, improved IAQ can lead to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism, while in industrial environments, clean air is essential for precision and safety.

When choosing an air purification system, assessing the specific IAQ needs, room size, and features is crucial to ensure the best possible performance and efficiency. Reputable brands with certifications and industry standards are reliable for high-quality air purification solutions.

By investing in advanced air purification technologies, individuals and businesses can take proactive steps towards creating a healthier and more comfortable indoor environment, ensuring the well-being and productivity of occupants.

At DRI Rotors, we aim to provide the best Indoor Air Quality for business purpose. Reach us now to get a consultation about your business and maintaining high-level air quality at your premises for higher productivity.

Recognizing Poor Indoor Air Quality Menace with the Onset of Summers

This content has been authored by Varun Pahwa, President, Desiccant Rotors International (DRI)

With low pangs of summers already being felt, people will be more prone to spend time indoors to beat the heat outside. There will be many who will be taking a sigh of relief thinking that now they will be free from the poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) menace prevalent during winters. But in reality, the issue of poor IAQ is a persistent issue all-round the year. It only gets worsened in summers with centralized air conditioning systems in the enclosed spaces that leave no space for the influx of fresh air and only stale air keeps circulating in the building.

The impact is felt even more starkly in industries like healthcare, construction, factories, hotels, airports, given to their packed, and complex structure that deteriorates the air quality within the premises. Moreover, these places often being huddled with large crowds compounds the problem.

As a result, there have been rising instances of ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ which is a serious threat to the health and overall wellbeing of the person. Additionally, the poor IAQ is also responsible for a wide range of issues like breathing problems, lethargy, pain in the eyes, and other long-term illnesses.

In order to arrest the issue, people need to be aware that the indoor air can easily get influenced by the outdoor air and is 10 times worse and more harmful because of restricted airflow in the enclosed area. It is not just the metropolitan cities that get affected but even the surrounding cities face the menace of poor indoor air quality.

Hence, highly efficient building management systems must be installed in centrally conditioned spaces such as office complexes, homes, malls, hotels, restaurants, auditoriums, and various other closed premises to not just deal with the contaminants/pollutants generated indoors but ensure that outdoor pollution like PM 2.5, PM10, VOCs as well other gaseous contaminants are not brought inside enclosed spaces through conditioning systems.

Understanding that the major cause of poor IAQ is the lack of clean fresh air in the buildings which only worsens with the presence of moisture, ensuring proper ventilation is the best solution to improve indoor air pollution. It dilutes the contaminated air indoors by utilizing the fresh air from outside. With the help of this approach, one can thoroughly clean the outside fresh air and introduce it into the building, maintaining positive pressure inside the building.

Here, HVAC&R systems are highly efficient in ensuring proper ventilation and are backed up with a wide range of advantages. It not just renders acceptable indoor air quality but also provides thermal comfort in the enclosed space. The system employs advanced desiccant technology that uses hygroscopic substances to suck moisture from the air in order to maintain the proper RH and cool down the indoor spaces. One of the primary benefits of this technology is that it tones down the air according to the requirement of the given space. The Energy Recovery systems ventilate the conditioned spaces without compromising on air conditioning load. Owing to this mechanism there is substantial reduction in the use of energy and utility costs.

Along with HVAC&R system installation, people must also be agile enough to adopt green building designs. Green Building Councils across the globe are playing a critical role in promoting awareness and certifying the importance of Indoor Air Quality in our day-to-day lives. The advanced buildings help in striking the right balance in the indoor air quality that does not compromise on the comfort of the people but at the same time coherently contribute to reducing the energy consumption of the building with the help of green products. These buildings are the most viable solution as it highly maintains proper relative humidity (RH) and prevents any growth of mold, mildew in the enclosed atmosphere.

With advanced systems in place and efficient air purifying systems, maintaining good indoor air quality, even in large spaces has become a cost-effective and doable affair.

IAQ literacy: A new angle in controlling the pollution holistically

Rahul Aeron, Assistant Vice President, Desiccant Rotors International | Construction Week | March 3, 2022

Over the years there has been much conversation around the alarming pollution levels in the air. From government policies to academics, huge steps have been taken to create awareness and curb the menace of pollution. But just countering the outdoor air pollution is not enough. The issue of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has always been there and in recent years has emerged as a potential threat to human health. As people are highly conscious of outdoor air pollution it is time to focus on IAQ as well. It is potentially more detrimental than outdoor air pollution and to control the holistic issue of pollution it is equally imperative to counter the problem of poor IAQ just like the outdoor pollution.

As a large amount of time is spent indoors, quality IAQ containing breathable air, free from all pollutants adds to the higher quality of life by lowering risks associated with respiratory illness and also reducing the risk of chronic conditions. Poor IAQ has a damaging effect and can negatively impact health. Research has shown that people continuously exposed to a certain level of carbon dioxide have reduced cognitive performance by 50%. Health conditions like asthma, respiratory illness, throat, and nasal illness, coughing, scratchy throat, headaches, fatigue are common symptoms arising from poor IAQ. In certain cases, it can also lead to Sick Building Syndrome and complications of lung and heart conditions. Consequently, long-term exposure can be precursors of serious conditions. It may either exasperate the pre-existing conditions or may give rise to new health issues.

People might think that closing the windows and doors will protect them from pollution. But various elements within the closed premises deteriorate the air quality. There are various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like synthetic building material, furnishing, cleaning supplies, aerosols, dust present in the building. They add to the pollutants already present in the air and meddle with the decision-making capacity and productivity of the person. In addition to this, the presence of humidity can further worsen the condition. It harbors mold and mildew responsible for the musty odor, condensation, and other conditions which are not visible to the eyes. The situation gets even worse in commercial and large buildings due to their complex structure and probability of being huddled with a large crowd of people.

This necessitates the removal of pollutants from the air for improved environmental benefits and public health. Here, ventilation can significantly lower the pollution level. But simply depending on natural ventilation will not give the desired results. They do not have enough power to move the air consistently. It also mixes the fresh air coming from outside with the contaminated indoor air and does not guarantee an air change rate.

Highly advanced ventilation is required. Mechanical ventilation systems must be installed for this purpose. It ensures a steady flow of fresh air throughout the building. It not just removes the stale indoor air but filters pollutants coming in from the outdoor air. An Energy Recovery Ventilator in the air conditioning system can provide a simple solution to all ventilation issues. The system improves IAQ by ventilating the space and flushing out harmful pollutants.

All this is done while being highly conscious of energy. There is minimum wastage of energy as the system utilizes waste heat of exhaust air to cool the incoming air. The ERV plays an instrumental role in saving energy which reduces the operational costs of HVAC systems. It is efficient enough to ventilate even the conditioned spaces without compromising on the air conditioning load.

The detrimental consequences of poor IAQ necessitate IAQ literacy at every stage of life as it affects each and every one, irrespective of age and place. Proper knowledge can better help people to be aware of the inherent threat lingering inside the building and deploy the necessary technologies to combat the effect of poor IAQ.

Clone of Air quality matters and all that is inhaled

Varun Pahwa, President, Desiccant Rotors International | Times of India | January 19, 2022,

Varun Pahwa is President DRI. DRI is a global provider of components & systems for Energy Recovery, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Evaporative Cooling, Dehumidification & Green Buildings.

With the coming of the winters the issue of poor air quality has again become a huge concern for people across India. Also, with Covid-19 hitting the world, people are spending more and more time indoors to protect themselves from the deadly virus. The fog coupled with smoke forms smog envelopes the city with bad air quality. Due to the chilly winter air, people resort to spend maximum time indoors to protect themselves from cold weather as well as the poor air quality outside.

But staying indoors is not that easy, the way it looks. Due to the poor ventilation, or presence of molds have increased the chances of developing ‘Sick Building Syndrome’ that gives rise to serious health issues and overall wellbeing. It is also responsible for wide range of issues like breathing problems, lethargy, pain in the eyes, and other long-term illnesses.

People need to be aware that the indoor air gets easily influenced by the outdoor air and is 10 times worse and harmful because of restricted air flow in the enclosed area. It is not just the metropolitan cities which get affected but even the surrounding cities face the menace of poor indoor air quality.

Industries like healthcare, construction, factories, hotels, airports, are more likely to experience poor air quality due to their packed, and complex structure which does not support the influx of fresh air. Moreover, being commercial spaces, often these places are huddled with large crowds which further deteriorates the IAQ.

As we spend more and more time indoors, mostly in centrally conditioned spaces such as office complexes, homes, malls, hotels, restaurants, auditoriums and various other closed premises, building management systems are dealing with not only contaminants/pollutants generated indoors but also have to ensure outdoor pollution like PM 2.5, PM10, VOCs as well other gaseous contaminants are not brought inside conditioned spaces through conditioning systems.

Given that the major cause of poor IAQ is the lack of clean fresh air in the buildings which only gets worse with the presence of moisture, ensuring proper ventilation is the best solution to improve the indoor air pollution. It dilutes the contaminated air indoors by utilizing the fresh air from outside. With the help of this approach, we thoroughly clean the outside fresh air and introduce that into a building, maintaining positive pressure in the building.

To ensure proper ventilation, HVAC&R systems must be installed which offers wide range of advantages. It not just renders acceptable indoor air quality but also provides thermal comfort in the enclosed space. The system employees advanced desiccant technology that uses hygroscopic substances to suck moisture from the air in order to maintain the proper RH and cools down the indoor spaces.

One of the primary benefits of this technology is that it tones down the air according to the requirement of the given space. The Energy Recovery systems ventilate the conditioned spaces without compromising on air conditioning load. Owing to this mechanism there is substantial reduction in the use of energy and utility costs.

In addition to the installation of the HVAC&R system, people must be agile enough to adopt green building designs. Green Building Councils across the globe are playing a critical role in promoting awareness and certifying the importance of Indoor Air Quality in our day to day lives. The advanced buildings help in striking the right balance in the indoor air quality that does not compromise on the comfort of the people but at the same time coherently contribute to reduce the energy consumption of the building with the help of green products. These buildings are most viable solution as it highly maintains proper relative humidity (RH) and prevents any growth of mold, mildew in the enclosed atmosphere.

With advanced systems in place and efficient air purifying systems, maintaining good indoor air quality, even in large spaces has become a cost effective and doable affair.

Hotels with good IAQ in demand post covid

Varun Pahwa, President, Desiccant Rotors International | ET Hospitality World | July 11, 2021

According to the World Health Organization, indoor air is often more seriously polluted than outdoor air. When it comes to the hospitality industry, maintaining good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is important for the hotel environment for many reasons, some of which are potentially significant for the propertyâ€™s growth. With COVID-19, wildfires and overall poor air quality, there has been a pent up demand for the hotel industry to provide options for rooms with better filtration and purification. Clean air automatically leads to higher levels of well-being allowing travellers to feel more energized during and after their vacation.

We spoke to Varun Pahwa, President of Desiccant Rotors International Pvt. Ltd. (DRI) to know the importance of a good HVAC system in the hotels and how his company is aiding the demand.

ETHospitalityWorld (ETHW): What are the green products used in the HVAC industry, their importance and their accessibility for the hospitality sector?

Varun Pahwa: The primary focus of any green building is to reduce the energy consumption of the building. HVAC systems have the largest consumption of electricity in the building. To reduce the energy consumption of the HVAC system. In the hospitality industry, the entire focus is on guestâ€™s comfort and well-being. To strike the right balance between comfort and energy savings, a wide range of green products are available. These could be high efficient chillers, providing variable frequency drives on motors, high efficient fans etc.
Apart from energy consumption, the second most important parameter of green building is Indoor Air Quality. DRI specializes in various systems that maintain the good indoor air quality in the hospitality sector. These include Energy recovery systems for ventilating the conditioned spaces without compromising on air conditioning load. DRI Energy Recovery systems are focused on Enthalpy Wheels based systems. Our FlexAir range of ERVs and TFAs incorporate Enthalpy Wheels for Energy Recovery.
In the hospitality industry, maintaining proper relative humidity (RH) is important to prevent any growth of mold, mildew, which causes foul smell in guest rooms. DRI provides systems that maintain proper RH in the hospitality sector to prevent this problem. These systems help in reducing the operating costs of HVAC systems & maintain good indoor air quality. DRI is an Indian company & all its products are made in India. Accessibility of these systems is not an issue.

ETHW: Ways to Conserve Energy, Lower Costs and Increase Productivity through Arctic Coolers in Hotels?

Varun Pahwa: While the hospitality industry for starred hotels is well organized, there is a large number of hotels in mid-size or B class towns which cannot afford air conditioned systems because of the initial cost as well as the running cost. For them, air cooling is the best solution. ARCTIC coolers are designed with high efficient evaporative cooling pads to provide comfort to the guests.
Hybrid HVAC systems which use Eco friendly technology like evaporative cooling along with air conditioning are also being applied in hospitality industries in areas like kitchen, laundry etc. Arctic Innovative Evaporative Cooling system is an environment friendly solution, which offers a completely natural way of delivering refreshing and cool air. Arctic coolers are trusted cooling solution providers for industries and commercial applications.

ETHW: Tell us the ways of adaptation of Green Building Solutions by architects for hotels?

Varun Pahwa: The hotel industry has been moving towards green designs, Environmentally-friendly construction practices shifted focus on conserving resources, water, energy and started to overall help and contribute to saving the environment. The importance and need to conserve has become evident due to the current situation in the world. Architects designing hotels are being forced to consider the green building concept, everything from designing, construction, operations to the demolition of the building. Providing a better and healthier environment is also one thing that tops the list in a green building, along with the LEED green building rating system.

Some considerations that help the architects in hotels are sustainable site planning, solar orientation, storm water management, high-efficiency HVAC system, green supply materials, waste reduction and management, use of recycled materials, etc.

ETHW: How can bad indoor air quality affect hotels?

Varun Pahwa: Indoor air quality in hotels has been a huge concern, especially in a post-Covid scenario as restrictions move towards relaxation. Even before the pandemic, in the hospitality sector, the experience and comfort of the customer has always been key. If the indoor air quality is not maintained, it will not only affect the staff but also the guests. Foul smells are common in hotel rooms.

Bad indoor air quality can lead to multiple issues including affecting both employees and customers, which can have a negative impact on a hotel’s reputation. The safety of guests is a serious responsibility. Bad air can cause many issues including breathing problems, lethargy and other long-term illnesses. Even for the hotel staff, if the air quality is not good, apart from health issues of working in such a space, their productivity will also decrease massively. However, with advanced systems in place and efficient air purifying systems, maintaining good indoor air quality, even in large spaces is possible.