2017 News

Use Ventilation & Lighting to Improve Productivity

Use Ventilation & Lighting to Improve Productivity
07.17.2017

This feature highlights two of the technologies that improve occupants’ comfort, health, happiness and productivity – all of which increase facilities’ return on investment (ROI).

Ventilation – “A ‘sick building’ is almost always a building that doesn’t have enough ventilation,” says Daryld Karloff, Baker Group Executive Vice President of Building Services.

During the ’70’s energy crisis, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) code for the required outside air ventilation rate was reduced to only 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each person. “Recirculating air may save energy, however research has proven that poor indoor air quality impairs people’s focus, critical thinking skills and productivity. Plus, if one person gets a virus, many people can get that virus,” Karloff says.

Generally, today’s code minimum ventilation standard for commercial office spaces is more than double what it was in the ’70s, but higher is better. Research has proven that better air quality leads to better decision making and higher productivity. Moreover, with today’s smart technologies, “We can make sure building owners get a healthy, more productive building in an energy-efficient manner,” says Jarod Stockel, P.E., Automation Business Unit Leader.

Stockel explains that automation controls, sensors and programming let businesses monitor, adjust and optimize ventilation in each space. “Today, we have sensors for detecting high levels of CO2, as well as harmful VOCs (volatile organic compound gases) that new materials emit.  This technology allows us to assure a healthy building that improves productivity,” Stockel says.

Lighting – Artificial light that is too bright, too dim or that flickers can mess with the body’s 24-hour sleep/wake cycle (circadian rhythm). Further, an out-of-whack circadian rhythm can harm immune systems and contribute to a host of medical problems, such as fatigue, slower thinking, poor learning and memory, some cancers and cardiovascular disease. “Thankfully, today there are better-quality lighting options that support health and productivity while reducing energy consumption,” Karloff says.

Among these are new LED (light-emitting diode) technologies and automated lighting systems. “These have opened the door for us to do a lot of things to maximize the occupants’ experience in the space,” Stockel says. For example:

  • The latest, high-tech LED lights are not only dimmable but they also allow for color adjustment. “Studies show what specific color of light maximizes brain function by task. For example, blue light can improve alertness, attentiveness and mood,” says Karloff. “We can integrate this technology and adjust light level and color based upon the activity being performed.”
  • Automatic shade systems can be programmed to bring in outdoor light when available and at appropriate, productivity-boosting levels.
  • Programmable lighting systems also allow facilities managers to determine precisely when and where lights go on. For example, “We can tie the lighting to a security systems so, when a certain employee enters the front door via access card, the system recognizes the employee and turns on only the lights that employee needs to navigate to his or her work area,” Stockel says.

While LED lights are more expensive upfront, their low energy cost and long lives ultimately make them the more economical choice. In addition, they offer a flexibility for the future to react to changing space use with productive solutions.

Ventilation and lighting are crucial aspects of smart, productive buildings. Watch for future articles about the other important aspects of a healthy building.

To learn more about ways Baker Group is using smart technologies to maximize our clients’ ROI, read “Why Smart Buildings Should Be About More Than Technology” or contact us at 515.262.4000.

About Baker Group

Founded in 1963 and with more than 500 employees across Iowa, Baker Group is the Midwest’s premier full-service specialty contractor providing mechanical, sheet metal, electrical, building automation, process automation, security systems, fire alarm systems, parking/revenue controls and 24/7/365 service.

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