Effective ventilation is crucial for any commercial building, ensuring occupant health, comfort and regulatory compliance. In this blog, we’ll explore how proper ventilation not only meets UK standards, e.g. Approved Document F and the Workplace Regulations 1992, but also boosts energy efficiency, reduces health risks and improves productivity. We’ll cover key strategies on how to improve ventilation in a building, including system audits, upgrades and maintenance tips to optimise airflow and maintain a safe, efficient environment.
The role of ventilation in a building
Ventilation is a key component of the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. It plays a crucial role in creating a safe and productive environment by performing essential functions, including:
- Maintaining indoor air quality
- Regulating temperature and humidity
- Enhancing energy efficiency
The importance of conducting an audit of existing ventilation systems
In order to meet specific UK regulatory standards, including Approved Document F (included in The Building Regulations 2010), Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2012 and The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, it is essential to assess a building’s ventilation system for air changes, CO₂ levels and airflow rates, which are critical for maintaining indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
Typically, a compliance audit examines several key areas:
- System efficiency – determining whether the ventilation system delivers adequate airflow without excessive energy use
- Air circulation – identifying if areas with poor airflow or potential stagnant zones may lead to poor air quality and discomfort
- Compliance gaps – highlighting any areas where the system falls short of standards, such as insufficient fresh air intake or outdated equipment.
Regular audits help identify areas on which to focus for making any necessary improvements, ensuring a safe, regulatory-compliant environment.
5 ways to improve ventilation in a building
There are five key strategies to improve ventilation as a whole in a commercial building.
1. Upgrade to Demand-Controlled Ventilation
Installing a Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV) system that adjusts airflow based on occupancy and CO₂ levels, ensures optimal air quality while reducing energy consumption. This is especially beneficial for areas with variable occupancy like conference rooms.
2. Integrate a smart Building Management System
Using a smart Building Management System (BMS) enables the monitoring and control of ventilation in real-time, allowing for automated adjustments based on indoor air quality, occupancy and other factors. A smart BMS is an important strategy on how to improve ventilation in a building, as it allows for dynamic and efficient management of airflow across various spaces.
3. Incorporate Heat Recovery Ventilation
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems recover heat from exhausted air and use it to preheat incoming fresh air, improving energy efficiency while enhancing ventilation. This cost-effective solution is ideal when searching for methods on how to improve ventilation efficiency of an existing building, particularly for reducing energy costs over the long term.
4. Always maximise natural ventilation where possible
Use natural ventilation strategies, such as operable windows (windows that are manually or automatically opened) or vents, especially in areas with lower occupancy. This can be paired with mechanical systems to create a hybrid approach (i.e. pairing up with mechanical ventilation systems such as HVAC or exhaust fans), which aligns with energy-efficiency goals in UK regulations.
5. Regular maintenance and high-efficiency air filters
Schedule regular inspections, clean ducts, and replace air filters with high-efficiency models. Frequently cleaning filters and ducts ensures optimal airflow, reduces pollutant levels, and helps the ventilation system work more effectively, while also complying with UK indoor air quality standards.
The benefits of improving ventilation
Aside from the legal responsibility of building managers and owners to provide safe and comfortable commercial spaces for occupants, there are numerous immediate and long-term benefits to be gained from improving ventilation in a building, such as:
Immediate benefits
- Improved indoor air quality – enhanced ventilation quickly reduces the concentration of pollutants, allergens and CO₂, resulting in a fresher, healthier indoor environment for occupants.
- Increased comfort for occupants – proper ventilation helps regulate temperature and humidity levels, creating a more comfortable atmosphere that can improve occupant satisfaction as well as productivity, by as much as 15%.
- Reduced risk of sick building syndrome – by improving airflow, ventilation systems help prevent symptoms associated with poor air quality, such as headaches, eye irritation and fatigue, leading to fewer complaints and sick leave taken, as well as improved well-being.
Long-term benefits
- Energy efficiency and significant cost savings – optimising ventilation, particularly with energy-efficient systems like heat recovery ventilation, reduces energy consumption and lowers utility bills, providing impactful cost savings over time.
- Attracting sustainability certifications and green building incentives – beyond basic regulatory compliance, improving ventilation can help buildings earn sustainability certifications like Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), which are increasingly valued in the marketplace. This can unlock potential financial incentives, grants and tax benefits related to energy efficiency and green building practices.
Red flags that indicate you need to improve ventilation
Indicators that your ventilation system may require remedial attention include:
- An increase in complaints about indoor air quality – occupants may report issues like stuffiness, lingering odours or that the air is ‘stale’. These complaints often stem from inadequate airflow or poor ventilation, leading to higher concentrations of indoor pollutants.
- Increased health complaints and absences – a pattern of headaches, respiratory issues, eye irritation or fatigue among building occupants, particularly during or after work hours, can be a sign of inadequate ventilation.
- High humidity levels and condensation – excess moisture, visible condensation on windows or damp spots on walls can indicate that the ventilation system isn’t effectively removing humidity. Poor ventilation can lead to mould growth, damaging property and impacting indoor air quality.
- Visible dust build-up and poor filtration – if dust accumulates quickly on surfaces, vents or HVAC components, the ventilation system may not be circulating or filtering air efficiently. This can lead to clogged filters and reduce airflow, exacerbating indoor pollutant levels.
- Unusual energy costs or system inefficiencies – a noticeable increase in energy bills could indicate that ventilation and HVAC systems are overworking to compensate for poor airflow or that outdated systems are struggling to maintain consistent air quality. Increased energy costs can also signal issues with inadequate or unbalanced airflow.
Creating safer, more efficient environments
Improving ventilation in a commercial building is not only essential for regulatory compliance but also plays a critical role in enhancing occupant health, comfort and productivity. By upgrading systems to include features like demand-controlled ventilation, integrating smart building management systems, and optimising natural airflow, coupled with regular audits and proactive maintenance, building owners can ensure ventilation systems remain effective over time. Beyond immediate comfort and air quality improvements, these efforts can lead to long-term cost savings, energy efficiency and the potential to earn sustainability certifications, which can provide significant financial and reputational benefits.
Cube Controls is an established and experienced supplier of Building Management Systems, specialising in the design and set up of bespoke environmental and energy control programmes for commercial buildings and property.
To find out how Cube Controls can support you at all stages of design and consultancy, installation and modification and maintenance of your building management systems contact our expert and friendly team on 01903 694279 or sales@cubecontrols.co.uk.
