Health Hazards

With the rise of CO2 levels, the air inhaled is less fresh or rather it gets staled, that can trigger physical symptoms like headaches, restlessness, drowsiness, increased heart rate, sweating and more. CO2 beyond 1500 ppm levels in indoor spaces can directly escalate low productivity, high sick leave and infectious disease transmission, making this a crucial concern in environments like office, school and home.

Increase in Co2 indoors level not only create stuffiness, but as per studies it can effect cognitive ability of the occupants who may have harder time learning, performing simple and complex tasks, and also effect in decision making ability.

Controlling CO2

CO2 concentrations can be diluted by frequent mechanical ventilation. In modern air-tight buildings, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) is a commonly employed solution to maintain air circulation, that also maintains the thermal comfort of the indoor space while recovering and saving energy.

Ventilating or ventilation (the V in HVAC) is the process of exchanging or replacing air in any space to provide high indoor air quality. It primarily reduces accumulation of CO2 and other gases, moisture, and odours building up indoors. They also create air movement which improves the comfort of occupants and helps in moderating indoor temperature.

There are three primary types of ventilation systems: exhaust ventilation that drives indoor air outdoors, supply ventilation that drives in outdoor air indoors and balanced ventilation or bi-directional ventilation, which is a combination of both methods. A balanced system is effective in most climatic conditions. In this system, one duct system channels air into the house, and another duct system channels air out of the home, with vents that channel air in and out of each room.

Air Handling Units

In buildings with HVAC provisions, ventilation can be arranged by air handling units or AHUs. AHUs are usually large metal boxes containing a blower, heaters or refrigerants, connected to a ductwork ventilation system that distributes the conditioned air through the building and returns it to the AHU – as per requirement, filter racks or chambers, sound attenuators, and dampers which is a valve or plate that stops or regulates the flow of air inside the air handler and cut off central air conditioning (heating or cooling) to an unused room, or to regulate it for room-by-room temperature and climate control. Air Handling Units, are a good option can also be installed, which will be circulating the air inside and discarding the stale air out.