Building owners and managers are paying more and more attention to indoor air quality (IAQ), especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous health conditions, including headaches, exhaustion, and respiratory problems, can be brought on by poor IAQ.
The use of dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) to enhance IAQ is one strategy that is gaining popularity in the market. In this post, we’ll examine DOAS in more detail to see why it differs from conventional HVAC systems in a number of ways.
Top Benefits of DOAS
The capacity of DOAS to enhance IAQ is one of its main benefits. DOAS can assist in lowering the quantity of pollutants, allergens, and other potentially dangerous elements that may be present in indoor air by continuously supplying the building with fresh, filtered outdoor air. This is crucial in places like businesses, schools, and hospitals where people spend a lot of time indoors.
In addition to enhancing IAQ, DOAS has a number of other benefits over conventional HVAC systems. For instance, DOAS can assist in lowering operating expenses and energy use. In order to consume less energy while yet maintaining cosy indoor temperatures, DOAS can be optimised by isolating the heating and cooling operations from the ventilation function. In the long run, this can result in significant energy bill savings.
The adaptability of DOAS is an additional benefit. The usage of DOAS is not limited to any particular building type or environment because the outdoor air supply is kept separate from the heating and cooling processes. To offer a complete and effective HVAC solution, they can also be linked with other building systems like chilled beams or radiant heating.
Of course, DOAS also comes with its share of difficulties. For starters, they could cost more up front than conventional HVAC systems, especially if the facility doesn’t already have a ventilation system in place. Long-term maintenance and upkeep may be increased as a result of the requirement to routinely repair or clean the filters and other components.
Despite these difficulties, building owners and managers who want to enhance IAQ and lower energy usage are increasingly choosing DOAS as a solution. DOAS is well-suited to satisfy the requirements of a variety of building types and climates due to its capacity to offer a continuous stream of fresh, filtered outside air, as well as its flexibility and possible cost savings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) is a type of HVAC system that can offer building managers and owners a variety of advantages. The constraints of contemporary building design are addressed by DOAS, which offers a complete and adaptable solution, from enhanced indoor air quality to decreased energy consumption and lower running costs.
DOAS will undoubtedly become an even more crucial tool for constructing healthy and effective indoor settings as IAQ becomes a factor that must be taken into account in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.