How does sustainable building design contribute to a healthy indoor environment?
The construction industry plays a major role in achieving global sustainability goals, contributing to 40% of global carbon emissions. Air pollution is recognized as a global health hazard, as acknowledged by the United Nations. In June 2022, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Air Quality Agenda 2031, initiated by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). The agenda aims to manage air quality and mitigate pollution by focusing on specific goals and themes, emphasizing improved indoor air quality through measures related to construction materials, household products, and building maintenance. The agenda's scope includes both government agencies and the private sector.
Air pollution is an undeniable issue in major cities worldwide. (Source: CANVA)
According to a comprehensive global study, HVAC systems account for a significant 38% of total energy consumption in buildings, making them the primary energy consumers. Unfortunately, a high number of these systems remain unoptimized and poorly maintained, resulting in compromised indoor air quality (IAQ) in many cases. Poor indoor air quality in educational institutions and workplaces can have a negative impact on cognitive function and concentration, leading to increased absenteeism, respiratory problems, and reduced productivity. The health, comfort, and productivity of employees or students are significantly affected by bad IAQ, which can impact work, learning or even exam results. Especially in residential buildings, inadequate IAQ can cause discomfort for occupants, due to moisture and mold problems. Therefore, maintaining high indoor air quality is critical to reducing the risks associated with respiratory problems, allergies, headache and and in summary, sick building syndrome. Proactive measures, such as ensuring adequate ventilation, installing air purification systems, and closely monitoring IAQ, are important in creating a healthy indoor environment that supports learning, productivity, and overall well-being in both educational and work settings.
Poor indoor air quality can have an impact on students and employees while they study or work on their tasks. (Source: CANVA)
Fortunately, sustainable building design provides solutions to the problems caused by poor HVAC systems. Integrating energy-efficient systems, low-emitting materials, and proper ventilation not only ensures better indoor air quality, but also optimizes energy consumption, helping to reduce the building's carbon footprint.
Green building design significantly reduces indoor pollutant and VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions through the use of low-emitting and non-toxic materials, such as low-VOC insulation, environmentally preferable refrigerants, HEPA filters, and non-toxic ductwork, including HVAC system components.
Prioritizing energy-efficient air conditioning systems is a key aspect of sustainable building design, which also improves indoor air quality by regulating temperature and humidity, preventing the growth of mold and bacteria, and protecting occupant health. Additionally, these solutions offer long-term cost savings, providing financial benefits as well.
What are the benefits of optimizing existing HVAC systems rather than replacing them completely?
Optimizing the installed HVAC systems in existing buildings is part of asset optimization, which involves maximizing the efficiency, performance, and value of a building's physical assets. This approach prioritizes cost-effective energy efficiency measures for existing buildings, rather than simply replacing systems or building new structures. Replacing entire systems and constructing new buildings generate significant amounts of construction waste and increase carbon emissions, which are harmful to the environment and may not be more energy-efficient, when considering the entire supply chain process. Therefore, targeting the specific energy consumption patterns and inefficiencies of each building, is proven to be a more efficient method of decarbonization than all-in-one solutions.
Alternatively, the use of innovative technologies and strategies such as efficient insulation, smart HVAC systems, regular maintenance and renewable energy sources in green buildings significantly reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions, thereby reducing the actual need to operate HVAC systems. Choosing "greener" solutions, such as upgrading HVAC equipment, may be perceived as more expensive initially, and therefore energy optimization is often overlooked. But carefully selected energy-efficient improvements typically result in long-term cost savings through reduced energy consumption.
Regular maintenance, like changing filters, is crucial for ensuring occupant health, optimizing energy usage, and decarbonization. (Source: CANVA)
Because green building design considers several factors, including energy consumption, carbon emissions, equipment efficiency, savings goals, and occupant health, developers must prioritize energy-efficient systems, particularly to optimize HVAC systems to meet local standard requirements and to create healthy environments. In the UAE, Abu Dhabi's Pearl Rating System mandates minimum green building standards for new projects, while the Emirates Green Building Council has played a key role in promoting and implementing green building regulations. This approach not only promotes a healthy environment, but also reduces operating costs for occupants.
In addition, generic decarbonization solutions may not address the unique energy consumption profiles of each building, as each has its own consumption baseline and performance. It is therefore essential to work with experts to determine the optimization potential for each building. Government incentives can play an important role in encouraging building owners to prioritize sustainability and energy optimization. As green credentialing regulations increase, asset owners may be forced to phase out carbon-intensive equipment, making asset optimization a strategic choice to avoid obsolescence risk.
Who can provide assistance with the optimization process?
Construct Green specializes in green construction of new buildings and retrofitting and optimizing existing buildings by conducting a thorough analysis of their current performance and identifying potential improvements. Together with our partners, we recommend, supply and install the necessary materials to effectively reduce energy consumption, improve occupant health and promote the decarbonization of the building, which offers tremendous opportunities to achieve national emissions targets.
Contact us now for more information on how we can transform your building into a sustainable and healthy environment, to extend its longevity and save costs on the long-term.
Construct Green - Sustainable Building & Energy Solutions
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