A well-maintained ventilation system and an adequate air exchange rate are proven to be effective solutions to protect the health of people in indoor environments.
Good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) requires supplying an adequate amount of outdoor air to indoor ambient. To optimize energy consumption and at the same time avoid excessive air renewal, the volume of delivered air must be adjusted to the current demand, i.e. a level of indoor emissions. For this purpose, mechanical ventilation systems must monitor indicators such as:
- Concentration of CO2 that correlates with the number of people in the room
- Concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and fine particles, which are usually caused either by human activities, released by materials, or come from the outside
- Moisture, which is a good indicator of the need for fresh air
These indicators allow us to determine the speed of AHU fans needed so that the correct air-exchange rate can be provided.
CO2 concentration, VOC and moisture are usually tracked through probes, that are integrated into the ventilation systems and placed in ducts, making installation of the entire system complex.
Among the solutions offered for ventilation and Indoor Air Quality, Daikin features the Daikin IEQ Sensor – a device able to both monitor the indicators mentioned above and simplify ventilation system installations.
Installation and maintenance benefits
The Daikin IEQ Sensor tracks indoor air quality values, environmental comfort, and electromagnetic pollution, by using 12 sensors and it can monitor 15 different parameters. It is important to mention that the IEQ sensor not only monitors the air quality in the indoor ambient but also englobes functionalities specific to other devices. This tool provides a set of functionalities and accessories in one single tool, which makes it an all-in-one device including different services and features in a single installation. The integration of the IEQ sensor in a ventilation system has several benefits which translate into both cost savings and easier installation.
As far as cost savings, the sensor can invest in the ventilation system while also ensuring lower operative costs thanks to higher energy efficiency.
As the IEQ Sensor can incorporate multiple functionalities also replace system components such as CO2, humidity and temperature probes, its installation can lead to several advantages in terms of cost and higher energy efficiency.
As far as system installation, then, the possibility to reduce the number of components in the system thanks to an all-in-one device such as the IEQ Sensor, inevitably leads to simplified operations when installing the ventilation system, also reducing installation costs
The Daikin IEQ Sensor is extremely easy to install itself, and the fact that it can replace system elements also allows for fewer components implemented. Therefore, it is a single casing that is installed directly in the room where air quality is to be monitored. This ensures accurate and efficient monitoring by improving installation time.
The all-in-one nature of the IEQ sensor allows to design of a leaner and less complex system that is easier and quicker to install. This is beneficial for the installer, who does not have to deal with difficult and costly installations, and the customer, who gets their product installed quickly and at a lower cost.
Efficiency advantages
The Daikin IEQ Sensor is suitable for all applications and is a perfect solution for true demand-controlled ventilation, based on air quality indicators, such as CO2 and humidity, but not only. Such parameters, and related thresholds, can be adapted to the kind of activity performed in the controlled space. If the number of people in the room varies, the sensor can notice it, and according to this detects and acts accordingly adjusting the AHU’s air flow rate leading to potential cost savings. An additional feature offered by Daikin with this sensor is the possibility to continuously monitor the indoor air quality using the Caelum monitoring platform, thereby air quality is always under control to ensure maximum comfort and personal health. The sensor connects to the platform to easily monitor indoor air quality levels and generate regular reports based on the data collected, also allowing integration with Daikin on-site for remote monitoring and smart maintenance planning.
People's well-being benefits
As we spend most of our time indoors, the quality of the air we breathe is extremely important because, whether it is at home, at the office, or in a hotel room, the indoor air we breathe can be much more polluted than outdoor air. For this reason, is obvious how big an impact indoor air quality can have on people’s lives.
To ensure great indoor air quality, ventilation is essential because it can dilute and remove air pollutants accumulated in indoor environments. A well-maintained ventilation system and adequate air exchange rate have been demonstrated to be an effective solution to protecting people from contaminants and preserving their health.
Monitoring and tracking indoor air quality (IAQ) values not only contributes to understanding how the surrounding environment affects people's well-being but also helps to take action to improve the quality of the environment.
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