If you manage or work in a commercial building, you’ve likely dealt with issues affecting comfort and health. One of the most confusing is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), when people feel unwell inside but better once they leave. I’ve seen this often, especially in busy commercial spaces.
From my experience providing commercial HVAC services in Houston, I can say that a well-maintained system is key to preventing SBS. In this article, I’ll show you how the right HVAC setup can help reduce these symptoms and create a healthier environment.
Understanding Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a strange condition where people feel uncomfortable or develop sudden health symptoms while inside a building, symptoms that often fade once they leave. One major contributor is poor indoor air quality, which is why well-designed HVAC systems for businesses play a crucial role in preventing SBS and maintaining a healthy indoor environment.
What Are The Symptoms Of SBS?
This syndrome has some clear symptoms that indicate you are falling victim to SBS. Many individuals, including employees, clients, customers, or typically homeowners, have experienced the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Itchy or dry skin
- Eye, throat, or nose irritation
- Coughing or sneezing
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Sensitivity to odors
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms vary from person to person. Basically, you will feel uncomfortable and exhausted during the time spent inside the building. It is a serious issue for commercial spaces. Consult experts in Texas Central Air to resolve this issue.
Why Does SBS Happen?
From my years working with HVAC systems for businesses and residential setups, I’ve articulated some key causes of why this syndrome happens. These include:
- As modern buildings have tight spaces, this often restricts the airflow. Thus, poor ventilation and air circulation make the indoor environment polluted and suffocating.
- Indoor and outdoor pollutants like carpets, furniture, paint, office equipment, cleaning products, building materials, dust, dirt, tobacco smoke, or vehicle exhaust leaking in, etc., can cause SBS.
- Moreover, mold, pollen, viruses, bacteria, dust mites, etc., in highly humid spaces can cause SBS.
- Both high and low humidity levels also encourage SBS.
So, these are the main causes of SBS. If you want to mitigate this syndrome, you have to take steps to prevent these causes. Appoint an expert from Texas Central Air to handle these appropriately.
What Are The Roles Of An HVAC System To Mitigate SBS
From my perspective, an efficient HVAC system is the most powerful tool in combating Sick Building Syndrome. As I’ve worked with many businesses and commercial building owners, all of their issues were resolved through a properly designed and well-maintained HVAC system. Here are the roles of an HVAC system to mitigate the Sick Building Syndrome:
1. Ensures Proper Ventilation
As a poor ventilation system traps the stale air inside and encourages indoor pollutants to grow, it initiates SBS. However, an energy-efficient and modern HVAC system ensures proper ventilation through ERVs (Energy Recovery Ventilators) and HRVs (Heat Recovery Ventilators).
We as expert commercial HVAC services in Houston, use Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) systems in commercial spaces. These can adjust the ventilation based on the occupancy level of the building. Thus, the indoor air circulates well and stays fresh.
3. Provides Efficient Air Filtration
Usually, the indoor air in commercial spaces gets polluted easily as these places engage many individuals and have easy access to pollutants. Dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores, and other airborne contaminants make the air stale and unhealthy.
However, a high-efficiency air filter can trap all the small organisms before the air circulates in the commercial space. I always recommend using better filtration to improve the air quality. Go for HEPA or MERV 13+ rated air filters to get better results.
4. Balances The Humidity Level
Both high and low humidity levels are concerning for SBS. High humidity levels encourage mold, bacteria, and other organisms to grow, whereas low humidity causes dryness, respiratory issues, skin irritation, etc.
So, to mitigate these, an HVAC system keeps the humidity level under control. Many HVAC models come with built-in humidity controllers. You can choose those to balance the humidity. Moreover, HVACs allow the integration of humidifiers and dehumidifiers to keep the humidity level of commercial spaces between 30% to 60%.
Consult Texas Central Air to integrate humidifiers and dehumidifiers to get balanced humidity indoors.
4. Manages Air Pressure
Usually, commercial buildings are busy places, and many people get in and out frequently. During these times, outdoor pollutants get inside. A properly functioning HVAC system uses positive or negative air pressure to control air movement. So, the contaminated air is pushed out, and only clean air moves in. This reduces the chance of pollution and SBS risk.
5. Regulates Temperature
Inconsistent or uneven indoor temperature may cause SBS, too. It will worsen the symptoms of headache, nausea, and skin irritation. However, an HVAC system allows the control of the indoor temperature and properly regulates it while maintaining separate zones. Thus, you can ensure optimum temperatures in different zones without causing SBS risk.
6. Additional Roles
Your HVAC system will naturally require regular maintenance and tune-ups to operate efficiently. I highly recommend routine checkups, fixing issues, changing filters, cleaning components, and conducting overall tune-ups through an expert like Texas Central Air.
By doing these, your system will be dirt-free, there will be no clogged components, no risk of mold growth, and reduced risk of malfunctioning. Thus, your well-maintained system will mitigate all the causes of Sick Building Syndrome. Just with some basic preventive maintenance, you can reduce the risk of SBS.
Let’s Take A Look At A Real-Life Example
I’ve witnessed Sick Building Syndrome in a medium-sized office building in Houston. Most of the employees were complaining about health issues like headaches, sinus issues, shortness of breath, fatigue, exhaustion, etc.
After consulting an HVAC expert, they marked it as Sick Building Syndrome. Moreover, it was found that the building had:
- High levels of carbon dioxide indoors
- Clogged HVAC air filters
- Humidity level above 60%
- Polluted air indoors
In such situations, I suggest upgrading the HVAC system, ensuring that the air filters are highly efficient, installing a proper ventilation system, integrating humidity controllers, and properly maintaining the system.
Final Thoughts
If you suspect Sick Building Syndrome in your commercial space, don’t ignore it. I’ve seen how it affects comfort, productivity, and overall well-being.
The good news? You can fix it. Start by upgrading your HVAC system, keeping it clean, and scheduling regular maintenance.
If you’re unsure where to begin, I recommend consulting a professional from our HVAC service, Texas Central Air. With the right HVAC solutions, you can create a healthier, safer environment for everyone inside.
FAQs
How Often Should Commercial HVAC Systems Be Inspected To Prevent Sick Building Syndrome?
We recommend professional HVAC inspections at least twice a year to ensure ventilation, filtration, and humidity controls are working optimally to reduce SBS risks.
Can Upgrading To A Smart HVAC System Help Monitor Indoor Air Quality Continuously?
Yes, smart HVAC systems with integrated sensors can monitor air quality, humidity, and temperature in real-time, allowing proactive adjustments to prevent SBS symptoms.
What Are The Best Air Filters To Use In Commercial Buildings To Combat Sick Building Syndrome?
We suggest using HEPA or MERV 13+ rated filters, as they effectively trap dust, pollen, mold spores, and other airborne contaminants responsible for SBS.
Is It Possible For HVAC Systems To Spread Contaminants If Not Properly Maintained?
Absolutely. Dirty filters, clogged ducts, or moisture buildup can harbor mold and bacteria, which an unmaintained HVAC system can circulate, worsening SBS symptoms.
What Role Does Humidity Control Play In Enhancing Occupant Comfort And Health?
Maintaining indoor humidity between 30% and 50% helps prevent mold growth and respiratory issues, making occupants more comfortable and reducing SBS-related health problems.