Best Practice: Why it’s Important to RESET your Indoor Air Quality

Written by Ana Cross, AHU Product Manager at Elta Building Services

“You cannot effectively solve what you cannot measure.”

It goes without saying, you cannot effectively solve something without effectively measuring it first. With this in mind, as more pressure is placed on ensuring healthier indoor air quality, we’re recommending businesses implement the RESET program as a useful tool to follow for creating healthier and more sustainable environments.

What is RESET?

RESET is the world’s first sensor-based certification program that is performance driven. Established as an accredited standard for air quality monitoring, it places emphasis on continuous results and long-term occupant health. This data will be key to building awareness around the problems we face and will go a long way in supporting us in achieving the ultimate goal of clean air.

Lights, camera, ACTION

In-line with our own ethos at Elta, we understood that monitoring pollutants was essential for achieving good IAQ and elevate the need for more rigorous ventilation strategies. We therefore, made it our mission to become one of the UK’s first companies to hold the RESET certification.

Along with monitoring other parameters, for the purpose of the RESET Air certification, our Midlands head office was audited against CO₂ (carbon dioxide), PM₂.₅ (particulate matter up to 2.5 micron) and TVOCs (total volatile organic compounds). This process is carried out predominantly online and consists of a sensor deployment plan submission, a preliminary audit and a three-month long continuous data collection/audit with monthly reports to gain pass status. Once achieved, the certification is then valid for 12 months.

Results so far

By achieving the new accreditation, not only has our office already seen a 33% decrease in peak CO₂ levels, but we have also successfully achieved a pass status on all data to become RESET certified.

We will continue to push for increased awareness around the importance of good IAQ and its link to occupant health as there is still a long way to go. However, achieving the RESET certification is a big step in the right direction and we hope others are inspired to take the same route of change.

For more information on how to improve, monitor, and provide evidence of enhanced IAQ, please visit: https://www.eltauk.com/