Decarbonizing NYC Offices: Prioritizing Energy Efficiency and Health in NYC Office Buildings While Addressing a Changing Workplace
With hyper-attention on health and safety in the work space, the use of quality and calibrated sensors to measure key indoor air quality parameters has become of increased importance. Real time IAQ measurements informs control decisions (e.g. outside air quantities), occupants, and future building system upgrades (esp. mechanical system). The paradigm should shift to, “Is the air clean and safe”, as opposed to, “Is the space ventilated”. Data from CO2, TVOC, Particles (PM 2.5), and Rh sensors will support more efficient ventilation strategies and save energy (vs simply bringing in as much outside air as possible). When real time IAQ data enters the equation, it will set the stage for IAQ management as a shared responsibility, not just a landlord piece; not just a tenant piece. The new reality is – the importance of a healthy and safe indoor environment supersedes energy efficiency. The opportunity is – recognizing IAQ and energy efficiency are inextricably linked.