HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality

Abstract

The function of an air-conditioning system is to maintain a good thermal climate and acceptable indoor air quality. However, several studies of the prevalence of symptoms point to the likelihood that greater use of air-conditioning in internal spaces leads to a larger number of complaints. The present paper deals with health aspects and complaints linked to the interaction between building, HVAC system, environment and occupant. HVAC-related factors are specially emphasized. In order to minimize the risk of complaints as much as possible, a number of recommendations or guidelines is given for each link in the building process, i.e. from design stage up to maintenance and management. A quality assurance system for this building process is of utmost importance; therefore, policies and procedures have to be developed.

HVAC systems for environmental control to minimize the COVID-19 infection

“…Heating, ventilation, air-conditioning (HVAC) systems are used to create a healthy, thermal-comfort indoor environments. 5 Thus, the rational use of HVAC systems is of great importance for the environmental control to reduce infection risk and to improve human wellbeing in the pandemic.…”