The “V” in HVAC: Ventilation

The “V” In HVAC: Ventilation

You’re familiar with the basic cooling and heating functions of a HVAC, but how much do you know about ventilation? Ventilation is vital in maintaining your building’s air quality. Without it, you would not get fresh air inside your building and instead get stuffy, stale air.

The Importance of Proper Ventilation

Ventilation is responsible for circulating and purifying air in your space. It keeps air fresh and comfortable for building occupants to enjoy. Poor ventilation can cause a stuffy, smelly space and even lead to health issues due to toxins and unwanted air particles being trapped inside your building. Mechanical ventilation is important to keep things moving and ensuring the proper amount of fresh air is being allowed into your space.

Mechanical ventilation uses ducts and fans to bring in the appropriate amount of fresh air into your space. Too much air coming can affect the air balance and hinder efficiency. Unexplained door shutting and odor migration can be caused by too much air coming in. Not enough, and the air becomes stagnant and uncomfortable to be in. Smells and pollutants get trapped making your space be undesirable to be in. Your employees may constantly step out for fresh air and customers may not come to your business because of smells lurking around. The exhaustion of air is also important. Because ventilation also effected the humidity of the air, it is important that the air is expelled in an appropriate location so nothing is damaged.

Ventilation is so important that there are even building codes addressing it and its effects on air quality. Commercial buildings are expected to maintain a standard for their ventilation and air quality. ASHRAE Standard 62.1 applies to commercial buildings and outlines all there is to adhere to.

Because ventilation is vital in its role to providing the upmost quality of your buildings air, be sure to be up to date with your commercial HVAC unit. Be sure your system is adequate for your surrounding climate and can meet your needs appropriately. Get in touch with an HVAC company to help get on the right track.