Indoor Air Quality Insights: Findings from a Cross-Sector Survey on Maximizing Health and Value

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Written By Janelle Decarreau
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Navigating the Challenges of Indoor Air Quality: Insights from the Real Estate Industry

Recent years have underscored the critical link between indoor air quality (IAQ) and health, as global challenges like COVID-19 and the escalating climate crisis have brought the issue to the forefront. While the importance of IAQ  is growing, many building owners and operators still face challenges implementing IAQ policies and protocols. As a high-impact strategy across all Fitwel building scorecards, in collaboration with Trane Technologies we set out to understand the decision-making processes, implementation challenges, and knowledge gaps that lead to indoor air quality policy uptake, or lack thereof. Based on over 250 survey responses we gained the following insights into the trials and tribulations that come with managing IAQ effectively.

Key Findings: The Need for Communication and Education

Segmenting survey responses allowed us to better understand which professional group drives decision-making around IAQ implementation, how IAQ priorities are considered in relation to energy efficiency priorities, and how different stakeholders understand the relationship between IAQ and value. Findings from this evaluation include:

  • Underutilization of lower-cost solutions. While management teams are aware of the importance of high efficiency filtration systems such as MERV13 and HEPA filters, lower-cost solutions such as moisture control and more basic maintenance are not as widely implemented. Effective utilization of these more day-to-day management tactics could help teams garner more value from their indoor air quality at a lower cost.

Chart 1. Perceptions of IAQ decision-making power among all respondents

  • Lacking ownership over decision making. Only 7% of respondents reported feeling consistent responsibility or ownership over IAQ decision-making, highlighting a key challenge in management. The involvement of various off-site stakeholders, such as contractors and consultants, often creates communication gaps and confusion in implementation. Clearer communication and defined roles across all stakeholders is essential  to ensure IAQ decisions are well-informed and executed in a timely manner.

Chart 2. Prioritization of energy efficiency and other elements of indoor environmental quality against IAQ

  • Difficulty balancing energy efficiency. Both qualitative and quantitative data revealed that balancing high quality IAQ with energy efficiency goals is a challenge across respondent groups. While some respondents understand that these goals can work in tandem, 50% indicated they prioritize energy efficiency over IAQ. However, messaging about how and why these objectives can be achieved simultaneously remains unclear. Improved communication and education about the value add of prioritizing IAQ and energy efficiency together can help address this challenge and foster better implementation in the market.

Research to Action: Improved Messaging for Improved IAQ

Our research identified communication and education as key barriers to improving IAQ policies and protocols. Stakeholders often lack the knowledge needed to prioritize IAQ alongside energy efficiency and expressed a need for educational materials to get owner buy in on these tactics. Additionally, the involvement of diverse and disconnected actors– such as facility managers, real estate owners and operators, real estate investors, engineers, architects and designers, sustainability consultants, and contractors– who play a role in IAQ management creates gaps in understanding and coordination. Working with certification systems like Fitwel allow all stakeholders to have clear roles and responsibilities which support alignment and effective IAQ management across all groups.

Chart 3. Summary data on day-to-day IAQ management challenges faced by respondents

Several resources developed as a part of the v3 Fitwel update directly address the needs highlighted by survey respondents, including:

Looking Ahead

As we look to the future of building health, we continuously evaluate new and emerging evidence to understand the value they bring to creating healthier projects and communities. Since the development of Fitwel v2.1, many new topics – ranging from infectious disease control to climate resilience and accessibility – have gained prominence in discussions about how the built environment can influence our health. At CfAD,our role is to ensure that the Fitwel standard reflects the latest research and meets industry needs.  We are excited to share these insights and provide resources that enable our community to engage more deeply with the strategies that shape a healthier built environment.

About Trane Techologies

Trane Technologies is a global climate innovator. Through our strategic brands Trane® and Thermo King®, and our portfolio of environmentally responsible products and services, we bring efficient and sustainable climate solutions to buildings, homes and transportation. To learn more, visit https://www.tranetechnologies.com/en/index.html.

Article contributed by Skyler Chin, Grace Dickinson and the Center for Active Design Research Team.

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Janelle Decarreau
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