Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Energy Efficiency

摘要

Air-conditioning is simultaneous control and maintenance of dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, cleanliness, odor, noise and pressure inside a conditioned area. Air-conditioning is required for a product or process or for comfort. Indoor Air Quality (LAQ) is the quality of air which affects our comfort and health. In a good indoor environment, work efficiency of occupants gets enhanced, learning results are better amongst students and absenteeism is lower. This in-turn increases workplace productivity and test-scores in schools, which is supported by research. Research has shown that the pollutants, often present in indoor air, have a clear link with productivity, sense of wellbeing and occupant health. In long term, they lead to health hazards like asthma, allergies, headaches and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, temperatures that are too high or too low, continuous high noise levels, or excessively bright or inadequate lighting level increase the stress levels in the human body, thus creating health issues like sleep disorder, digestive problems, and memory and concentration impairment. We inhale Oxygen and exhale carbon-di-oxide. The Outdoor air which is drawn by the air-conditioning unit provides oxygen. As such the quality of outdoor air is highly significant. There is a difference between outdoor air and fresh air as outside air may not be always fresh and may not be of acceptable quality. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is considered to be 'healthy' when the air does not contain contaminants in harmful concentrations and is acceptable when the majority of people feel satisfied. Exposure to hazardous airborne agents present in many indoor spaces cause adverse effects such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, allergy, and irritation of the respiratory tract and possibly lead to cancer. That is why our responsibility is to provide healthy indoor environment for occupants. We breathe about 12000 litres (3170 gallons) of air every day and it is vital for our health to make sure that the air we breathe is clean.