Could Demand Controlled Ventilation be the Magic Bullet for Indoor Air Quality

If you’ve read my previous blog, you’ll know the subject of Indoor Air Quality is very close to my heart. The fact there is no requirement for IAQ to be checked on an ongoing basis makes little sense to me, but as ever with these things, it’s a case of taking things one step at a time.

So for those of us remaining hopeful that we’ll see some form of monitoring requirement in the not too distant future, what do we do in the meantime?

The good news is, the air movement industry is working on systems which are capable of self-regulating air quality without necessarily needing to be kept under such a watchful eye. Good news for specifiers and contractors, I’m sure you’ll agree.

Unbeknown to many, Demand Controlled Ventilation systems can be installed within a building to adapt to the demand of the occupied space. These systems ensure the space is provided with the right amount of air, while energy consumption is reduced.

The latest Demand Controlled Ventilation technology operates by using VAV diffusers, which effectively control ventilation levels by regulating airflow according to the air quality.

And here’s the real benefit. By relying on a self- regulating system, building users may only need to check their ventilation levels once every three years or so, safe in the knowledge that their DCV can adjust itself whenever the air quality fluctuates – boosting energy efficiency at the same time.

DCV should really have a much higher profile within the legislation that covers the energy our buildings use. Modern buildings need to be flexible to accommodate fluctuations in occupancy levels, yet need to also deliver energy efficiency, so the fact that systems which can do this automatically are not promoted by any formal legislation is a missed opportunity. Maybe it’s time we started making this shift ourselves.