Air Solutions Archives

Optimizing Workspace Air Quality for Employee Safety

Prioritizing good air quality in workspaces has been gaining a lot of traction in recent years. With employees spending the majority of their time in their offices, it becomes crucial for organizations to provide a healthy and safe environment to them. The modern workspace infrastructure is generally characterized by enclosed spaces, lacking windows to accommodate air conditioning systems. As a result, the structures give rise to a sealed indoor environment with hardly any scope for fresh air ventilation.

Unlike the common misconception that air conditioning improves the air quality of the space, it comes as a surprise for many that systems recirculate stale air. Additionally, with the space occupied by a large number of people, it continuously contributes to the build-up of carbon dioxide and pollutants within the space as it is unable to find an escape to the outside. All the factors together account for poor air quality and severely impact the health of the occupants. If left unattended, the poor IAQ can give rise to a range of health issues in a person, such as respiratory issues, allergies, and serious conditions of cardiovascular disease as well.

Moreover, continual exposure to poor IAQ can result in the development of Sick Building Syndrome, where the occupants are very likely to face breathing issues, headaches, asthma, fatigue, and pain in the eyes. Severely compromising the health and comfort of the person, lethargy and absenteeism are some common issues that impact the productivity of the individuals. As a result, it becomes a prerequisite to install technologies that improve the air quality of the workspace, aimed at enabling an efficient work process accompanied by enhanced concentration.

To achieve good air quality, employing Treated Fresh Air Handling (TFA) systems is essential. These systems precondition the incoming fresh air to meet ventilation standards and maintain excellent indoor air quality (IAQ). By filtering and treating the air before it enters the space, TFA systems eliminate pollutants, allergens, and contaminants, effectively impeding the spread of airborne diseases. As a result, these units ensure a consistent supply of clean and healthy air, significantly reducing health issues associated with poor air quality. Additionally, TFA systems are equipped with energy recovery wheels, which recover both sensible and latent energy, contributing to improved IAQ, humidity control, and energy savings.

The advanced systems bode well for achieving optimal indoor air quality throughout the year, irrespective of the weather conditions outside. Providing a stable and comfortable environment, the systems invariably contribute to high levels of engagement and motivation among the employees, enhancing their overall performance round the year.

In the pursuit of meeting the ventilation standards, the advanced technologies also vouch for energy efficiency. Striving to save energy while maximizing the energy recovery efficiency, they eliminate the need to increase the energy costs of the building. Here, by exercising the efficient airflow for ensuring the appropriate circulation of fresh air, the units come in handy for reducing the need for excessive heating and cooling of the space. Taking a holistic approach, they not just contribute to saving energy but extend to reducing the operational costs of the workspace at the same time.

To achieve the purpose, the Treated Fresh Air Handling Units ensure uniform distribution of air, which significantly curtails the demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Reducing the overall load of the system, there is a remarkable plunge in the operational cost as well as the energy consumption of the building. Consequently, by installing the systems, businesses can successfully achieve the twofold task of enhancing air quality within the workspace, which clocks substantial energy savings. While focusing on optimizing the air quality of the space, humidity is often neglected by people. But exercising humidity control is a crucial step towards providing a healthy indoor environment to the employees.

Here, the Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) harness the benefit of unique passive dehumidification wheels for ensuring adequate ventilation of the space. Coming with the ability to eliminate indoor air pollutants while monitoring humidity levels, the system replenishes fresh air to create a more pleasant and productive workspace.

The ability to control the relative humidity plays a crucial role in resisting the growth of mold, bacteria, fungi and prevents the issue of unpleasant odour and discomfort caused by excess moisture. In addition to this, monitoring the humidity can go a long way in safeguarding the office equipment and materials from any potential damage, retaining their longevity and reliability for a long time. Looking at the wide gamut of advantages optimal air quality has to offer for the workspace, it goes a long way in scaling the overall performance of the business.

Promoting the health and safety of the employees along with a comfortable space invariably improves the concentration and productivity of the occupants. In the process, employing Treated Air Handling Units can be considered a strategic business investment because it offers a comprehensive solution for providing energy-efficient ventilation. Conducting pre-conditioning of incoming air guarantees a consistent supply of fresh air. At the same time, monitoring the humidity levels of the space, the systems are an ideal option for ensuring the health and safety of the occupants.

Authored by:

Varun Pahwa
President,
Desiccant Rotors International

Respiratory diseases: The role of indoor air quality in reducing the risk of disease

Modern-day glass facade buildings, commonly found in urban landscapes, often prioritize aesthetics and energy efficiency over proper ventilation. These structures typically rely heavily on air conditioning (AC) systems, with little to no provision for natural airflow or fresh air intake. As a result, indoor air quality (IAQ) in such buildings is often compromised, leading to a buildup of pollutants, dust, and allergens, which can exacerbate respiratory diseases.

Without sufficient ventilation, the concentration of indoor contaminants increases, creating an environment that can negatively impact occupants’ health. Prolonged exposure to poor IAQ, especially in commercial and industrial spaces where people spend most of their day, can lead to respiratory issues, fatigue, headaches, and in some cases, long-term chronic illnesses. As these buildings are sealed to improve energy efficiency, the lack of fresh air circulation worsens the problem, making it imperative to address IAQ concerns to ensure the well-being of occupants.

The spaces extensively depend on centralized air conditioning to keep the temperature cool, but in the process, the systems promote recirculation of stale air. This leads to the buildup of excess carbon dioxide and pollutants as there is no adequate escape for the indoor air. Hence, it is important to focus on meeting the optimal ventilation standards. Incorporating natural ventilation can bring a lot of relief, but to exercise ventilation of large spaces, Adapting towards using advanced HVAC systems can be of great help. It ensures efficient airflow for encouraging proper circulation of fresh air across the room, and in the process, it substantially reduces the excessive need to heat or cool a space.

The absence of fresh air leads to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), a condition where occupants experience symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and lethargy. SBS is a major contributor to increased respiratory issues and reduced productivity, as the unhealthy indoor environment affects both physical and mental well-being. Poor ventilation exacerbates the problem, allowing pollutants to accumulate within the space, which, over time, severely impacts respiratory health.

Indoors with poor air quality are packed rooms filled with harmful contaminants like particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microorganisms, which aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

This severely underscores the importance of improving the indoor air quality of the building. Ensuring the proper ventilation of space and deploying advanced HVAC systems can play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of indoor air. Elaborating on the same, let’s explore ways to improve the indoor air quality of the space.

Treatment of pollutants

In order to keep the contaminants in check, installing Treated Fresh Air Handling (TFA) systems come with a lot of benefits. It conducts the filtration of incoming air for supplying fresh air free from any pollutants, allergens, or contaminants. Pre-conditioning the air before it enters the room, it curtails the probability of airborne diseases in people residing in the space.

Humidity control

Humidity is a crucial factor responsible for poor IAQ. But excess moisture in the air is the playground for the proliferation of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, etc., which can cause nasal and throat irritation, aggravate asthma attacks, irritate the respiratory system responsible for bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.

Therefore, making use of Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems aids in controlling the humidity of the space while exercising proper ventilation of the space. At the same time, they help in removing the unpleasant odour due to humidity and contribute to the comfort of the occupants.

Green Buildings

Understanding the importance of IAQ in keeping respiratory diseases at bay, going for green building solutions significantly comes to aid in maintaining acceptable air quality within the enclosed space. Moreover, considering that the wave of sustainability is being realized across the sector, industry players are adopting net-zero buildings with alacrity. Making use of sustainable materials with negligible emissions of harmful VOCs, the structures inherently ensure that pollution within the space is controlled. At the same time, by incorporating smart designs, the buildings prioritize proper air filtration and natural ventilation of the rooms. Therefore, by maintaining a healthy indoor environment, smart buildings ensure the well-being of the occupants.

Author: Varun Pahwa, President, Desiccant Rotors International

Optimizing the air quality of commercial spaces with advanced HVAC systems

With people becoming highly conscious about their health, there has been rising awareness around the poor IAQ in commercial spaces. Modern-day commercial spaces are generally glass skyscrapers exhibiting a complex and packed structure with no space of windows for accommodating air conditioning systems. Restricting any scope of fresh air ventilation, the facilities can significantly contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ), which can negatively impact the health of the occupants.

Spaces such as malls, hospitals, large office buildings, airports, and other facilities are generally huddled by a large number of people, which leads to the buildup of carbon dioxide and pollutants, responsible for poor IAQ within the space. The situation is further worsened by the air conditioning systems recirculating the stale air, making the indoor environment hazardous for the occupants. It can potentially give rise to a range of health issues entailing respiratory problems, allergies, and even serious conditions of cardiovascular diseases. Prolonged exposure to poor IAQ is also responsible for the development of a condition called Sick Building Syndrome, where people become susceptible to various allergies and life-threatening diseases. It also comes with the ability to affect cognitive function, giving rise to a decline in productivity coupled with increased absenteeism in a person.

This necessitates the deployment of advanced technologies that work towards enhancing the quality of air in the commercial facilities. To achieve acceptable air quality, the industry should proactively consider installing Fresh Air Ventilation systems in tandem with the air conditioning units to provide comprehensive ventilation solutions within the space. Making use of Air Handling Units (AHU) entailing Treated Fresh Air Units (TFA) and Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) provides a viable solution for introducing fresh air into the space while reducing energy consumption, translating to a decrease in the operational cost of the building.

To achieve good air quality, employing Treated Fresh Air Handling (TFA) systems is essential. These systems precondition the incoming fresh air to meet ventilation standards and maintain excellent indoor air quality (IAQ).
By filtering and treating the air before it enters the space, TFA systems eliminate pollutants, allergens, and contaminants, effectively impeding the spread of airborne diseases. As a result, these units ensure a consistent supply of clean and healthy air, significantly reducing health issues associated with poor air quality. Additionally, TFA systems are equipped with energy recovery wheels, which recover both sensible and latent energy, contributing to improved IAQ, humidity control, and energy savings.

Another major advantage of the system relies on its ability to optimize indoor air quality round the year. Contributing to a stable and comfortable environment, it alleviates health risks and boosts the productivity of the occupants, irrespective of the weather conditions outside. Delivering fresh air continuously, it maintains air quality at acceptable levels for indoor settings. In educational institutes or offices, this plays a pivotal role in elevating the motivation and engagement of the people, resulting in overall better performance of the individuals.

In addition to this, TFA systems come with the ability to provide energy-efficient solutions. It is proficient at meeting the desired ventilation standards without amplifying the energy cost of the building. Striving to manage the airflow efficiently, it ensures appropriate circulation of fresh air, negating the excessive need of heating or cooling the enclosed space. As a result, the benefit is not just limited to energy savings but eventually translates to a significant reduction in the operational costs of the facility as well.

Elaborating on the advantages of the system, TFA can bring about a significant reduction in overall system capacity requirements. By handling and distributing the air efficiently, the system lowers demand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Ultimately contributing to a reduction in the overall load of the system, it culminates in lowering the operational costs and energy consumption of the systems.

In the pursuit of improving the IAQ, people generally tend to overlook humidity. But maintaining the optimal humidity of the space is crucial for achieving the desired result. Moisture in the air is responsible for the proliferation of bacteria and fungi, which can impact the health of the person. Therefore, TFA aids in controlling humidity within acceptable limits and prevents the growth of microorganisms and the issue of static electricity. In the process of eliminating humidity from the air, it does not incur additional cost, making it a cost-effective solution for commercial spaces. In addition to ensuring the health and safety of the people occupying the space, maintaining proper humidity protects the various materials present in the space and preserves the longevity and reliability of the materials.

Here, the Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) can also be beneficial for addressing the issue of humidity. Well equipped with unique passive dehumidification wheels, it ventilates the space adequately by removing indoor air pollutants, monitoring humidity levels, and replenishing fresh air in the process. Managing the humidity level, it plays a pivotal role in addressing the issue of mold growth, unpleasant odors, and discomfort arising from excessive moisture. Resisting the accumulation of pollutants, odors, and contaminants, it supplies fresh air for a comfortable, healthy, and productive environment. Therefore, managing the RH (relative humidity) levels, maximizing energy recovery efficiency, and reducing cross-contamination provides a comprehensive solution for improving the air quality of the space.

Therefore, looking at the complexity of the commercial facilities, employing the systems can come in handy for optimizing the air quality. Looking at the wide gamut of benefits the systems have to offer, entailing pre-conditioning of incoming air, delivery of fresh air, energy-efficient ventilation, and humidity control, they are very likely to prioritize the health and safety of the occupants. And in the process, the systems also reduce the load on the HVAC systems, making them a viable and practical solution for large, complex buildings.

Cooling Solutions for Hot Factories

By Debashish Roy Choudhury AVP, ARCTIC Division, DRI | Added 29 July 2022

Industrial Evaporative Cooling emerges as the most suitable option for providing cooling solutions in a factory

Evaporative Cooling is highly preferred by the factory settings for its economical cooling solutions. Considering that factories are involved in the mass manufacturing of products, they inherently encompass large space. It is coupled with complex structures for allowing the critical processes within the premises. Factories are home to heavy machines for carrying out all the critical processes like design specification, parts assemblage, raw materials processing, and execution of various crucial processes. Consequently, a lot of heat is generated within the premises which can have a damaging effect on the quality of the end product. Along with this, heat creates an uncomfortable environment leaving unsuitable conditions for work.

This highly meddles with the productivity of employees as heat leads to discomfort among them accounting for reduced accuracy. Given that cooling such a large space becomes tricky, the owners/ managers are always on the lookout for a comprehensive cost-effective cooling solution that accommodates the various aspects of a factory setting. It is very important to control the high temperatures as it can also damage the equipment over a period of time. But opting for an air conditioning system is a highly expensive option. It involves a lot of challenges to install a large number of systems which only gets compounded with the high installation, operational, and maintenance costs levied on the company.

Hence, depending on the natural resources, evaporative cooling considerably brings down the running cost of the cooler. Moreover, the high saturation efficiency of the machine backed up with self-supporting, and highly adsorbent materials further reduces the load on the cooling capacity of the system. All the factors together reduce the power required by the fan which achieves the same level of cooling at par with the air conditioning system. Cumulatively, there is 80 percent less electricity consumption when compared to air conditioners. Therefore, the entire efficiency of the evaporative cooling solution drastically brings down the operational cost where the installation cost requires almost negligible investment when compared to the other alternatives present in the market.

Owing to its wide gamut of benefits, the innovative cooling solution finds application in a number of industries ranging from automotive, food, engineering, textile, plastics, and many more. Given the cool comfortable working conditions, it escalates the attention span and hence the accuracy of the employees. Additionally, it also reduces the risk of illness arising from the poor air quality within the space. Hence, evaporative cooling is the most ideal and economical solution for the factory setup. Scaling the efficiency brand like ARCTIC comes with a deep understanding and expertise in duct designing, specially designed cooling pads, exhaust design systems for stale hot air displacement, and allowing cool fresh air to be introduced effectively and economically. (The author is AVP, ARCTIC Division, DRI)

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.