As IAQ management priorities expand from controlling exposure to airborne SARS-CoV-2 to building decarbonization with clear deadlines, recommendations for HVAC settings may seem contradictory. Should a building manager increase outdoor air ventilation to promote a safe indoor environment for occupants or decrease energy consumption to reduce the carbon footprint? How do building managers straddle this line?
There actually is a starting point that addresses both sides of the coin. This is to simply turn down the thermostat a little bit. Now, the question becomes, what is “a little bit,” and what are the tangible outcomes that define improvement? In addition, if occupants complain about feeling slightly chilly, how do you justify telling them to put on a sweater?