Facility Changes That Drive 80% of Emissions Savings

The overlooked 20% of building strategies can deliver 80% of emissions savings. Here’s how to reset your 2026 baseline.

Ava Montini

Jan 6, 2026

Written by

Published on

The 80/20 Pattern in Building Decarbonization

In business, the Pareto principle (the idea that 20% of actions create 80% of results) shows up everywhere. It also applies to the way buildings decarbonize.

Most portfolios still treat carbon reduction as a capital-projects problem: new chillers, new boilers, new equipment. These projects are visible, expensive, and easy to headline in ESG reports. But in practice, the biggest near-term gains lie in the systems that are already running every hour of every day.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, space heating, cooling, and ventilation are among the top energy end-uses in commercial buildings, with ventilation alone consuming nearly 10% of the total building energy. Factor in heating and cooling, and the air systems you already own set the floor for your emissions profile. Industry surveys and guidance reinforce this point: HVAC systems consistently account for approximately 40% of energy use in commercial facilities. A share that shifts by climate zone but remains dominant across the board.

Before you buy new megawatts, make the watts you already use travel a shorter, smarter, more efficient path.

Filtration as a carbon multiplier (not a consumable line item)

Why filtration matters for energy (and CO₂e)

Filters impose a pressure drop; fans work against that resistance. Basic fan/affinity laws tell us that pressure rises with the square of fan speed, and fan power typically scales with pressure/flow requirements. Therefore, adding resistance increases fan energy unless the system compensates by reducing the flow.

On variable-speed systems that maintain flow, peer-reviewed work shows roughly linear fan-power response to added system pressure: a 10% rise in total pressure drop ≈ 10% rise in fan electric power (assumes fan and motor efficiencies roughly constant at operating point). CaEE

Field and lab studies show that higher filter resistance reduces supply airflow and can increase total power (especially as filters load), degrading cooling capacity and forcing longer runtimes. Newer research also documents the compounding effects of filter loading, with heavy clogging cutting net supply airflow by >30%, a textbook example of invisible energy waste. ScienceDirect

Moving up in MERV doesn’t automatically mean higher energy costs. Well-designed filters use optimized media and geometry (like deeper pleats or more surface area) to keep airflow resistance low. Studies have shown that these higher-efficiency filters can have a lower pressure drop than inexpensive MERV 8 pleated filters, especially when systems are properly balanced. In other words, it’s the filter’s pressure profile that matters, not just the MERV number. ScienceDirect

If you can lower your filter pressure drop while maintaining or improving capture, you directly reduce continuous fan energy. One of the few all-hours loads in many facilities. Because fans run whenever you condition or ventilate space, these savings translate cleanly into CO₂e reductions (see Section 5 for the math).

Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV)

What DCV does

It modulates outside-air intake based on occupancy (CO₂, people-count, scheduling) to avoid conditioning empty spaces. Codes and standards increasingly require or encourage DCV in high-occupancy areas, with ASHRAE 62.1 updates clarifying when and how ventilation turndown is permitted (including addenda that allow reduction to zero OA during verified unoccupied periods in certain space types). ASHRAE

Across building types and climates, published work shows that DCV control logic achieves ~9–33% HVAC energy savings. Advanced rooftop-unit control packages, which incorporate multi-speed/variable fans, DCV, and smarter economizer control, have delivered double-digit fan and cooling savings, sometimes exceeding 20%. Taylor & Francis Online

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) analyses flag that cost-effectiveness depends on the baseline over-ventilation and occupancy patterns; if your current minimums are already close to code, savings shrink. That’s a guidance feature, not a flaw—the point is to measure your baseline VRs before projecting benefits. Energy Technologies Area

DCV is a surgical lever: attack over-ventilation where it exists, prove reductions with trend data, and lock in permanent load reductions; especially valuable in heating-dominated regions where conditioning outside air is expensive in both energy and CO₂e. Energy Codes Guide

Preventative Maintenance

Controls drift, coils foul, dampers stick, sensors mis-calibrate—quietly taxing 5–15% of portfolio energy in many studies. Modern fault detection & diagnostics (FDD) tools and structured maintenance programs quickly recapture that waste. NREL Docs

Coil fouling: Government and academic sources document material energy penalties from dirty coils; some guidance cites compressor energy up to ~30% higher with fouled condensers (case and climate dependent). Even conservative findings confirm meaningful efficiency and capacity degradation. Avoidable with routine cleaning. Energy.gov.au
Economizers & OA paths: Mis-tuned economizers are common and costly; retuning and sensor QA via FDD is repeatedly highlighted in DOE/NREL/PNNL guidance as a top-tier low-cost fix. PNNL
RTU controls refresh: Campaign results and tech briefs demonstrate that advanced RTU control (variable fan, DCV, and economizer optimization) consistently yields energy reductions of more than 20%, with 25–50% reductions cited in certain deployments compared to legacy constant-speed, always-open baselines. Better Buildings Solution Center

Maintenance is mitigation. It’s also Scope 3-friendly: operating equipment at design efficiency extends service life and defers replacements, reducing embodied carbon churn in your capital plan. (See the measurement plan below to make these savings auditable.)

Turning kWh into CO₂e: a quick, defensible method

Your sustainability stakeholders care about tons, not watts. To translate HVAC savings into CO₂e:

Quantify energy from the measure (e.g., fan kWh drop from low-pressure filters; heating/cooling kWh or therms saved from DCV; kWh saved from FDD fixes).
Apply grid or fuel emission factors appropriate to the site(s) and year.
- U.S. electricity (2022 eGRID avg): ≈ 0.393 kg CO₂/kWh (867.5 lb/MWh delivered). US EPA+1
- Canada electricity (2025 factors) vary widely by province—e.g., Ontario: 38 g CO₂e/kWh; Alberta: 490 g CO₂e/kWh. Selecting the right regional factor matters. Canada.ca

If a low-pressure filter reduces fan energy by ~300 kWh/year per unit (magnitude depends on hours, fan size, and baseline pressure):

U.S. eGRID avg: 300 kWh × 0.393 kg/kWh ≈ 118 kg CO₂e/year per filter.
Ontario: 300 kWh × 0.038 kg/kWh ≈ 11 kg CO₂e/year per filter.

This is why portfolios across different grids see very different CO₂e per kWh outcomes. Even when the kWh savings are identical. US EPA

For transparency in ESG filings, reference the EPA eGRID subregion or the Government of Canada tables (or your utility-specific factors) and archive the PDFs used for each reporting year. US EPA

Risk management & IAQ alignment

Stay within ASHRAE 62.1 minimums at all times when spaces are occupied. DCV is about right-sizing, not starving air. Updated addenda clarify occupancy-based turndown rules—use them. ASHRAE
Filter choices: Seek equal or higher capture with lower ΔP; measure clean and loaded ΔP at your own face velocities. Research shows energy impact depends on filter design and system configuration, not only MERV. ScienceDirect
Measurement culture: Treat IAQ and energy as co-optimized objectives by trending PM, CO₂, temperature, and fan power together, so nobody is flying blind.

What this unlocks for 2026 capex

Once you bank the operational tons above, the economics of electrification, heat recovery, and heat pumps improve because you’re sizing for reduced loads. DOE/NREL work on advanced RTU control consistently shows meaningful kWh reductions when variable fans and DCV are layered in—think of these as pre-project multipliers that de-risk later capex. NREL Docs

The Power of the Overlooked 20%

In the rush to decarbonize, it’s tempting to chase the biggest, newest technologies. But the truth is that many of the most reliable carbon savings are already within reach. Hidden in fans, filters, ventilation rates, and maintenance routines.

Filtration, demand-controlled ventilation, and preventative maintenance may not make the headlines, but together they represent the overlooked 20% of actions that can deliver 80% of your emissions savings. They are measurable, repeatable, and scalable across portfolios, exactly the kind of solutions facility leaders need as they enter a new year of climate commitments.

How to Understand and Manage Wildfire Risks: A Comprehensive Guide for Consumers and Businesses

Jennifer Crowley
Jun 28, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Jul 15, 2024

Man in PPE vest holds a caution sign amidst forest brush on fire — As climate change continues to impact our environment, it’s crucial to understand wildfire risks and take proactive steps to manage them.

Wildfires are becoming a more frequent and severe threat across North America, posing significant risks to both homes and businesses. As climate change continues to impact our environment, it’s crucial to understand wildfire risks and take proactive steps to manage them. At Blade Air, we are committed to providing the knowledge and tools necessary to protect your property and health from the adverse effects of wildfires.

Understanding Wildfire Risks

Wildfires can ignite due to various reasons, including human activities and natural causes like lightning. Understanding the dynamics and risks of wildfires is essential for effective management.

Geographic and Environmental Factors

Climate and Weather Patterns: Dry, hot, and windy conditions significantly increase wildfire risks.
Vegetation: Dense forests, woodlands, and areas with dry grass are more susceptible to wildfires.
Topography: Fires spread more quickly uphill due to rising heat. Steep terrain can also complicate firefighting efforts.

Human Factors

Urban-Wildland Interface: Areas where human development meets undeveloped wildlands are particularly vulnerable.
Fire Management Practices: Poor land management, such as the accumulation of dead vegetation, can escalate fire risks.

Steps to Manage Wildfire Risks

Both consumers and businesses can take proactive measures to mitigate wildfire risks and protect their properties. Here are comprehensive steps to consider:

Before Wildfire Season

Assess Your Risk:
1. Use tools like CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps (USA) and the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (Canada) to understand your risk.
2. Evaluate factors such as building materials, landscaping, and proximity to vegetation.
Create a Defensible Space:
1. Clear flammable vegetation within 30-100 feet of your property.
2. Use fire-resistant landscaping and maintain a well-watered lawn.
3. Ensure trees and shrubs are well-spaced and pruned.
Prepare Your Property:
1. Use fire-resistant building materials like metal or tile roofing and dual-pane windows.
2. Remove combustible materials from decks and nearby structures.
3. Keep gutters and roofs clear of dry leaves and debris.
4. Install spark arrestors on chimneys.
5. Ensure hoses and fire extinguishers are readily accessible.

Develop an Emergency Plan

Create an Evacuation Plan:
1. Identify multiple evacuation routes from your neighbourhood or business location.
2. Designate a meeting place and an out-of-area contact for family members and employees.
3. Practice evacuation drills regularly.
Assemble an Emergency Kit:
1. Include a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and water (4 litres per person per day).
2. Pack a first aid kit, sanitation supplies, a battery-operated radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.
3. Keep important documents (ID, insurance policies, medical records) in a fireproof and portable container.
4. Include prescription medications, eyeglasses, cash, and a manual can opener.

During Wildfire Season

Monitor Conditions:
1. Stay informed through local news, radio, and emergency alert systems.
2. Keep track of air quality through websites like AirNow.gov (USA) and AirHealth.ca (Canada).
Protect Indoor Air Quality:
1. Create a “clean air room” using high-efficiency air purifiers with true HEPA filters.
2. Ensure HVAC filters are replaced as needed
3. Seal windows and doors and use weatherstripping to minimize smoke infiltration.
4. Avoid indoor activities that generate pollutants, such as smoking or burning candles.
Be Ready to Evacuate:
1. Keep your emergency kit and important items in an easily accessible location.
2. Park vehicles facing outward with a full tank of gas.
3. Follow evacuation orders promptly. Do not delay leaving if you feel unsafe.

After a Wildfire

Inspect and Repair:
1. Check your property for damage, including roofs, exterior walls, and HVAC systems.
2. Contact your insurance company to report losses and begin the claims process.
3. Replace all air filters.
Maintain Indoor Air Quality:
1. Continue using air purifiers until outdoor air quality returns to safe levels.
2. Replace filters in all air purification systems and HVAC units exposed to smoke and ash.
Update Your Plan:
1. Reflect on your emergency response and update your wildfire preparedness plan accordingly.
2. Replenish any used supplies in your emergency kit.
3. Schedule an air quality consultation to optimize your indoor environment for future fires.

You can learn more using our comprehensive ebook "The Ultimate Guide to Indoor Air Quality During Wildfires".

Blade Air: Partnering in Fire Risk Management

Blade Air’s commitment to innovation and sustainability extends to our wildfire preparedness solutions. Our advanced air purification systems, such as the HCFM-1 Portable HEPA Purifier, Pro Filter with Advanced Electromagnetic Filtration, and HEPA+ Filter, provide unmatched protection against wildfire smoke and other airborne contaminants.

Benefits of partnering with Blade Air:

High-Efficiency Filtration: True HEPA, activated carbon filters and electromagnetic filtration ensure clean indoor air during wildfire events.
Energy Efficiency: Our designs reduce energy consumption, making our purifiers both effective and environmentally friendly.
Comprehensive Coverage: Suitable for both residential and commercial spaces, ensuring wide-ranging protection.

Understanding and managing wildfire risks requires a proactive approach, blending knowledge and practical steps. By following these guidelines and utilizing Blade Air’s advanced solutions, you can safeguard your health and property from the impacts of wildfires.

Breathe innovation. Breathe sustainability. Breathe easy with Blade Air.

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