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Buildings account for nearly 34% of global energy-related emissions, according to the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction and the Buildings Global Status Report. In Europe, improving the energy performance of buildings has become a strategic priority to advance decarbonization and energy efficiency goals.
Indoor air quality is usually associated with occupant health and comfort. However, it also plays an important role in energy efficiency, since a significant part of the energy consumption in buildings is related to HVAC systems.
Continuous indoor air quality monitoring makes it possible to adjust ventilation to the real conditions of the building and can lead to a reduction of energy costs of up to 21%.
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Many HVAC systems operate according to predefined schedules that do not reflect actual occupancy or pollutant levels. This often leads to excessive ventilation and unnecessary energy consumption.
Indoor air quality monitoring makes it possible to implement demand-controlled ventilation (DCV). By measuring CO₂ concentrations and other pollutants in real time, ventilation can be adjusted according to the actual use of spaces instead of relying on predefined schedules.
Based on this data, the HVAC system can modulate its operation throughout the day. Instead of operating constantly or at maximum capacity, the system adapts its intensity according to the actual conditions of the space.
This approach helps improve energy efficiency, especially in buildings with variable occupancy such as offices, educational facilities, or mixed-use spaces.
When air quality monitoring systems are integrated into a building management system (BMS), IAQ data can be used directly to automate HVAC operation. This allows ventilation rates, temperature control, or air renewal cycles to be automatically adjusted according to indoor conditions. In this way, air quality becomes another operational parameter within building management.
Continuous indoor air quality monitoring also makes it possible to verify whether HVAC systems are operating correctly.
For example, elevated CO₂ levels over extended periods may indicate insufficient ventilation or a potential system malfunction. Identifying these situations early allows inefficiencies to be corrected before they result in higher energy costs or comfort issues for occupants.
Optimizing HVAC system operation not only reduces energy consumption but also helps extend the lifespan of equipment.
Systems that operate constantly at maximum capacity are exposed to greater mechanical stress. Adjusting ventilation according to real demand allows equipment to operate more stably, reducing the wear of fans, filters, and other mechanical components.
Air quality data also enables a maintenance approach based on the actual performance of the system. Instead of relying solely on fixed maintenance schedules, facility management teams can plan interventions more accurately, reducing unexpected failures and optimizing operational costs.
Having continuous data on indoor air quality allows ventilation to be optimized and improves the building’s energy performance. InBiot’s MICA devices continuously measure the main IAQ parameters and can be integrated into existing BMS and HVAC systems to support more efficient ventilation management.
