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Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a Top Search Trend & How It’s Reshaping Energy Efficiency

The Convergence of Energy Management and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) The way we design and manage buildings is undergoing a seismic shift....

Ava Montini

Mar 11, 2025

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The Convergence of Energy Management and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)


The way we design and manage buildings is undergoing a seismic shift. What was once a tug-of-war between energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ) is now a race toward integration, where both priorities are optimized in tandem. For years, the push for energy efficiency led to tighter, better-insulated buildings—but at the cost of trapping pollutants indoors. Conversely, IAQ initiatives often demanded more ventilation and filtration, sometimes at the expense of higher energy use.


But today, with advancements in smart building technology, regulatory shifts, and growing health consciousness, businesses and institutions no longer have to choose between efficiency and air quality. Instead, they’re seeking solutions that deliver both. The result? A surge in interest, research, and investment in IAQ technologies that enhance occupant well-being while supporting sustainability goals.


Why IAQ Has Become a Top Priority in Energy Management

The sudden rise of IAQ as a dominant industry focus isn’t coincidental—it’s being driven by several converging forces:


1. Health is Now a Building Performance Metric

The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed the way people think about the air they breathe indoors. No longer just a comfort factor, IAQ is now recognized as a health and safety imperative. Organizations are realizing that better air quality means fewer airborne pathogens, reduced absenteeism, and improved overall well-being.


Poor IAQ has been linked to substantial health and productivity costs, with estimates reaching at least $60 billion annually in regions like California. (Journal of Epidemiology)


2. Regulatory and Compliance Pressures are Increasing

From ASHRAE’s new IAQ standards to WELL and LEED certifications, businesses must now align with stringent indoor air quality benchmarks. These evolving regulations are pushing commercial buildings, schools, healthcare facilities, and industrial spaces to adopt air purification and filtration solutions that meet high air quality thresholds without inflating energy costs.


The World Health Organization attributes 3.2 million premature deaths annually to household air pollution, emphasizing the urgent need for better IAQ solutions. (WHO)


3. IAQ is Directly Tied to Productivity and Cognitive Function

Groundbreaking research from Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health has shown that improved IAQ can enhance cognitive performance, decision-making, and productivity. High CO₂ levels and airborne particulates negatively impact focus, fatigue, and overall workplace efficiency.


Studies show that IAQ improvements can boost workplace performance by up to 10%. (Kaiterra)


4. Smart Buildings Are Driving Smarter Air Quality Management

The rise of smart sensors and AI-driven HVAC controls is enabling real-time IAQ optimization. New systems can dynamically adjust ventilation rates based on occupancy, pollutant levels, and energy demand, ensuring that air quality is maintained without excessive energy consumption. This technology is transforming the way air quality and energy efficiency interact, making it possible to improve both simultaneously.


5. Energy Incentives and ESG Goals Are Fueling Investment

Organizations are improving IAQ not just because they have to—many are doing so because it aligns with their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals and unlocks financial incentives.


The global market for energy-efficient HVAC systems is projected to grow significantly, demonstrating the increased commitment to sustainability. (Technavio) Governments and utility providers are offering grants, rebates, and tax incentives for businesses that implement energy-efficient air filtration and ventilation systems, making these upgrades more economically viable.


Case Studies: IAQ and Energy Efficiency in Action



Case Study 1

The Empire State Building’s IAQ and Energy Overhaul


The Empire State Building underwent a landmark sustainability retrofit, becoming one of the world’s most energy-efficient skyscrapers. A major focus of this project was enhancing IAQ without increasing energy consumption. The strategy included high-efficiency air filtration, real-time IAQ monitoring, and demand-controlled ventilation.


By implementing MERV-13 filters with low-pressure drops and integrating smart HVAC controls, the building achieved a 38% reduction in overall energy use while significantly improving air quality. The success of this initiative has made it a blueprint for commercial buildings worldwide, proving that IAQ and energy savings can go hand in hand.



Case Study 2

University Campus Cuts Energy Use While Enhancing IAQ


A major California university, the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine), faced a dilemma—how to improve IAQ in its aging campus buildings while meeting aggressive carbon reduction goals. Instead of increasing ventilation rates indiscriminately, UC Irvine implemented a demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) system that dynamically adjusted airflow based on real-time occupancy and air quality data.


This resulted in a significant reduction in HVAC energy consumption and a noticeable decrease in CO₂ levels across lecture halls and dormitories. By leveraging smart IAQ monitoring and strategic ventilation, the university improved air quality without compromising sustainability targets.


The Future

IAQ and Energy Efficiency as Standard Practice


The next era of building design and management will not separate air quality from energy efficiency—they will be inherently linked. As data-driven technologies evolve, the most successful organizations will recognize IAQ as a fundamental pillar of sustainability, human health, and operational efficiency.


At Blade Air, we are at the forefront of this transformation, offering cutting-edge filtration solutions and IAQ optimization strategies that empower businesses, schools, and institutions to achieve cleaner air without compromise.


The future of IAQ is not just about breathing easier—it’s about thinking smarter.

For more insights on how Blade Air is helping businesses achieve IAQ excellence without sacrificing energy efficiency, connect with us.



How is Indoor Air Quality Measured?

Writer: Jennifer CrowleyJennifer Crowley
Humidity sensor in a mans hand in the foreground, with a blurry male digging in his toolbox in the background
By monitoring air quality, you can stop the negative consequences of indoor air pollutants.

For all the right reasons, improving indoor air quality has become a concern for many. However, when do we know the measures being taken to improve the IAQ are actually working? Or when we need to take further measures?


You can use monitors to check on your building’s air quality to provide a safer and healthier environment. By monitoring air quality, you can also stop the negative consequences of indoor air pollutants. Many methods are used to extract the level of indoor air quality, specifically measuring common symptoms found indoors. This includes; humidity, CO2 and VOCs.


Humidity Sensors

What is Humidity?

Humidity is the concentration of water vapour present in the air. Common sources of excess moisture indoors include the overuse of a humidifier, long showers, running water for other uses, boiling or steaming in cooking, plants, and drying clothes indoors. Also, a tight, energy-efficient building holds more moisture inside.


Humidity Sensor

A humidity sensor is an electronic device that measures the humidity in its environment and converts its findings into a corresponding electrical signal. Humidity sensors vary widely in size and functionality; some humidity sensors can be found in handheld devices (such as smartphones), while others are integrated into larger embedded systems (such as air quality monitoring systems).


Humidity sensors can be divided into two groups, depending on the method used to calculate the humidity. Relative humidity, or RH, is calculated by comparing the live humidity reading at a given temperature to the maximum humidity for air at the same temperature. RH sensors must therefore measure temperature to determine relative humidity. Contrastingly, absolute humidity (AH) is calculated without reference to temperature.


CO2 Sensors

What is CO2?

CO2 is a natural constituent of the air we breathe; it is a colourless, odourless and non-flammable gas produced by metabolic processes (such as respiration) and by the combustion of fossil fuels. This is a result of both external atmospheric CO2 and internal production from the presence of people.


The average outdoor air concentration of CO2 is in the order of 300 to 400 ppm. Indoor levels are usually higher due to the CO2 exhaled by building occupants. Indoor combustion appliances, particularly gas stoves, can also increase CO2 levels.

Chart depicting air quality status based on CO2 levels

CO2 Sensors

A carbon dioxide sensor is a device used to measure carbon dioxide gas concentration in the atmosphere. It is measured using “parts per million” (ppm) and is measured through different technologies, including;

  1. Nondispersive Infrared (NDIR): monitors the absorption of infrared light at a specific wavelength (4.3 μm), a wavelength at which CO2 has very strong absorption. If the infrared light is absorbed, then CO2 is present, whereas non-absorption indicates a lack of CO2.

  2. Photoacoustic Spectroscopy: Subjects a sample to pulses of electromagnetic energy that are tuned specifically to the absorption wavelength of CO2. The CO2 molecules within the sample will absorb and generate pressure waves via the photoacoustic effect with each energy pulse. These pressure waves are then detected with an acoustic detector and converted to a usable CO2 reading through a computer or microprocessor.

  3. Electrochemical Carbon: dioxide sensors measure electrical current to determine how much CO2 is in the air. When CO2 enters the sensor, it chemically reacts within a polymer surface, resulting in an electrical charge. The type and amount of electrical charge are then used to determine how much CO2 is present.


VOC Sensors

What are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.


VOC Sensors 

As the name suggests, VOC sensors detect surrounding volatile organic compounds. VOCs typically come from gases that emanate from solid or liquid compounds. This can be residual paint fumes or gases from solvents or fuels. Commonly, people can detect or identify if they’re near VOCs by smell.

There are three main types of sensors used to detect VOC levels in the air:

  1. PIDs (photoionization detectors) break down compounds into positive and negative ions using ultraviolet light to identify VOCs. These sensors can analyze and detect a vast array of chemicals, including methylene chloride.

  2. FIDs (flame ionization detectors) detect hydrocarbons in various industries. A hydrogen flame interacts with hydrocarbons to produce ions. Alerts sound when any changes in ion levels are detected.

  3. MOS (metal oxide semiconductor sensor) sensors use a delicate film to detect compounds in the surrounding atmosphere, such as benzene, ethanol, and toluene. These sensors can operate in low humidity.


Symptoms of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Another easy way to measure indoor air quality is by looking around your home, office or workspace and looking for common signs of poor IAQ. Signs commonly include:

  1. Mould

  2. High Humidity

  3. Odour (stale smell)

Explore expert insights, stay up to date with industry events, and gain a deeper understanding of the cutting-edge developments that are revolutionizing the indoor air quality landscape within Blade Air's comprehensive Insights Hub.

You can also subscribe to our monthly newsletter below for exclusive early access to Blade's Insights content, uncovering tomorrow's air quality advancements before they hit our Hub.

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