If a Building Doesn’t Work, It’s Not Sustainable – The Overlooked Role of Indoor Air Quality

Sustainability Is About More Than Just Energy Efficiency

When people think about sustainable buildings, they often picture energy-efficient designs, airtight structures, and low-carbon materials. While these elements are crucial, sustainability isn’t just about reducing energy consumption—it’s about ensuring buildings actually work for the people inside them.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a key factor in whether a building is truly fit for purpose. A building that traps pollutants, fosters damp conditions, or leads to poor occupant health is not sustainable—no matter how low its energy bills are.

The Hidden Problem of Poor IAQ in ‘Sustainable’ Buildings

With stricter energy efficiency standards, buildings are now more airtight than ever before. While this is great for minimising heat loss, it can exacerbate indoor air pollution if ventilation is not properly managed.

Common IAQ issues in modern buildings include:

• Accumulation of CO₂ and other indoor pollutants due to insufficient fresh air
• Excess humidity, leading to condensation and mould growth
• Poor airflow, reducing comfort and productivity for occupants

Studies have shown that poor IAQ is linked to respiratory problems, cognitive decline, and increased sick days. Yet, IAQ is still an afterthought in many sustainability conversations.

Bridging the Gap: Smart Ventilation for Truly Sustainable Buildings

To make buildings both energy-efficient and healthy, intelligent ventilation solutions like Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV) are essential.

– DCV automatically adjusts airflow based on real-time humidity and occupancy levels

– It prevents energy waste by only ventilating when needed

– It improves occupant well-being by ensuring a constant supply of fresh air

At Aereco, we believe that good ventilation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Our solutions help developers, engineers, and homeowners create buildings that truly support sustainability by balancing energy efficiency with indoor air health.

Let’s Change the Conversation

If a building doesn’t work for its occupants, can it really be called sustainable? We don’t think so.