NATIONAL REPORT—The importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) has never been more pronounced. In an age where health, wellness, and sustainability dominate industry trends, HVAC professionals are looking for ways to offer more holistic solutions to their clients. One of the most impactful ways to achieve building wellness, while keeping efficiency in mind, is by incorporating localized air purification systems alongside HVAC setups.
Indoor air, in which people spend 90 percent of their time, has been shown to be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, especially in commercial or industrial buildings. Research has revealed the troubling correlation between poor air quality and respiratory infections, exacerbation of asthma, long-term respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Additionally, exposure to indoor pollutants has been shown to impair cognitive functions, affecting concentration, memory, and decision-making, while also reducing productivity in poorly ventilated spaces. A 2024 Fellowes survey of office workers found that 94 percent of respondents agreed that clean indoor air should be a right for all employees while only 35 percent viewed their workplaces air as “very clean.” In terms of air quality, this demonstrates a gap between what workers expect and need and what existing HVAC systems are able to provide.
While HVAC systems can increase ventilation rates to try and reduce airborne transmission of indoor respiratory pathogens, ventilation without adequate filtration is often not enough. This is especially true when outdoor air quality is poor due to wildfires, pollution, or allergens, making increased ventilation counterproductive to improving air quality as standard HVAC systems generally do not consider poor outdoor air quality. Additionally, peak cold and flu season occurs during the fall and winter months when HVAC systems are bringing in less outside air, resulting in lower ventilation levels.
When building owners or managers inquire about improving air quality, be prepared with system solutions that go beyond just HVAC air changes. This is where localized air purification systems come in, complete with high filtration capacity and monitoring capabilities.
Key Features to Look for in an Air Purification System
When evaluating options for clients, contractors will want to focus on features that provide the most significant impact with minimal disruption to the building’s operations.
1. High-Quality Filtration: Look for air purifiers that offer H13 True HEPA or equivalent filtration levels. H13 True HEPA filtration removes 99.95 percent of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns, which includes wildfire smoke’s most dangerous contaminants such as PM2.5, PAHs, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It also has been proven to capture H1N1, Rhinovirus, and SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, further aiding ventilation in its efforts to reduce pathogen exposure rates. In addition to significantly reducing contaminants, enhancing filtration levels improves both occupant health and HVAC system performance by alleviating the workload that falls on the HVAC system.
2. Easy Filter Replacement and Maintenance: Maintenance can be a key selling point when introducing air purification systems to building owners. Opt for systems that don’t require extensive downtime for upkeep. Systems that allow front-facing access for filter changes can reduce labor time and make it easier for service personnel to keep systems running smoothly. This also helps minimize the overall cost of ownership for clients. Additionally, networked systems can provide proactive alerts when filter maintenance is needed, taking the guesswork out of maintaining units in the system and offering streamlined fleet management.
3. Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring: Some modern air purification systems include sensors that monitor indoor air quality and react to changes in real time. Look for a system that can monitor particulate matter (PM2.5), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO2, temperature, humidity, and room occupancy and react accordingly to changes in any of these measures, maintaining optimal air quality automatically.
4. Compatibility with Existing HVAC Systems: Air purification systems that can install seamlessly alongside existing HVAC units, without requiring modifications to existing HVAC or building structures, can offer great flexibility and significantly less upfront costs. Contractors will want to find systems that work without connecting to ductwork or requiring extensive retrofitting. This feature makes the addition of localized air purification systems viable for both new construction and renovation projects. Additionally, look for a scalable system that allows users to add units to the network or relocate units as needs change.
5. Energy Efficiency: With sustainability becoming a top priority in building design, air purification systems should also be energy efficient. Look for systems that can automatically ramp fan levels up or down according to real-time needs. This kind of responsiveness improves air quality while maintaining energy efficiency. Air purification systems also increase efficiency by reducing the burden on HVAC systems, minimizing wear and tear on HVAC equipment over time. Systems that reduce the strain on HVAC units can help clients achieve their energy efficiency goals, save on utility costs, and reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
In environments such as healthcare facilities, schools, corporate or industrial buildings, where air quality is directly tied to occupant health and productivity, an air quality management solution can be a particularly valuable suggestion. In geographic regions where outdoor air quality is poor, or environmental regulations are strict, an air purification system can ensure the building maintains optimal air quality year-round when ventilation systems aren’t enough.
One of the biggest concerns for building managers is the long-term maintenance and management of these systems. This is where simplicity and ease of use become critical selling points.
User-Friendly Interfaces: When installing a new air purification system, it’s essential to ensure that the building staff can easily monitor and maintain it. Look for systems with intuitive user interfaces and integrated diagnostics that can flag potential issues before they escalate.
Centralized Control Systems: If the air purification system can be adjusted through a remote cloud system, this adds another layer of convenience. HVAC contractors can offer a more comprehensive building management solution by allowing air quality systems to be monitored and adjusted through a dashboard, preventing the need for maintenance teams to disrupt occupant spaces.
Fellowes’ Array as HVAC’s Partner in Indoor Air Quality
The Fellowes Array system represents a proactive and innovative approach to improving IAQ, ensuring that indoor environments can maintain high air quality standards despite external challenges. Fellowes’ Array is a prime example of how modern air purification systems can operate seamlessly alongside HVAC setups. As HVAC contractors look for innovative solutions to meet their clients’ growing concerns about IAQ, Array offers a clear path forward.
The Fellowes Array networked air quality system is a state-of-the-art approach that complements HVAC systems to protect against the health hazards of wildfire smoke, viruses, and other pathogens in all spaces. As an innovative network of localized air purification units that work alongside existing HVAC systems, Array helps solve the ventilation dilemma by supplementing HVAC systems with localized air purification units and increasing air exchanges without adding contaminated outdoor air. These units employ advanced sensors to continuously monitor the air quality in every space. They respond by filtering and purifying the air, ensuring that indoor environments remain safe and healthy, even when outdoor air quality is compromised.
Equipped with a unique and powerful fan design, Array ensures spaces benefit from an additional layer of air quality control, effectively reducing the strain on existing HVAC systems.
Array Highlights:
- H13 True HEPA Filtration: Array’s high-grade filters capture harmful airborne particles and have been proven to capture 99.95 percent of contaminants including H1N1, Rhinovirus, and SARS-CoV-2, ensuring healthier indoor air for occupants.
- Real-Time IAQ Monitoring: Incorporating advanced sensors and a networked connection, the Array system offers real-time monitoring and inter-unit communication, enabling comprehensive insights into air quality changes throughout a building. This enables purifiers to operate at maximum efficiency, adjusting proactively to changes in occupancy density and environmental conditions thanks to the EnviroSmart+ Technology. This innovation provides a proactive response to deteriorating air quality, reduces energy costs, and cleans air faster than stand-alone units.
- Ease of Installation: Whether a client is retrofitting an old building or designing a new one, Array does not require connections to ductwork, making it adaptable to a wide range of projects. Additionally, Array units come in a variety of installation styles, allowing them to be placed strategically in different spaces for optimal functionality and design integration.
- Energy Savings: By improving HVAC efficiency and reducing the workload on existing systems, Array helps lower energy costs and extend the lifespan of HVAC equipment. Envirosmart+ allows Array to automatically ramp fan levels up or down according to real-time needs, improving air quality while maintaining energy efficiency. Additionally, Array reduces the burden on HVAC systems, allowing clients to save on energy and utility costs.
- Simple Maintenance: Array has been designed with ease of use in mind with front-facing filter access, allowing for quick filter replacements and minimal service disruptions. Additionally, the networked system provides proactive filter status alerts through the Viewpoint dashboard, notifying users of maintenance needs with plenty of time to plan optimal maintenance timing.
With air quality becoming an integral part of building performance standards, Fellowes’ Array is positioned as a forward-thinking solution that enhances both occupant wellness and system efficiency.
