The changing climate, intensified by the recent wildfires in Canada, has brought the issue of declining air quality to the forefront, especially in New York State. As greenhouse gas emissions continue to alter our climate and precipitation patterns, the frequency and intensity of such wildfires are predicted to rise, further deteriorating our air quality – both outside and indoors, as commercial building are required by code to bring in a proportion of outdoor air.  Therefore, the repercussions of this are not just environmental but also health-related, ranging from eye and respiratory irritations to severe conditions like reduced lung function, asthma attacks, heart attacks, and strokes.

While the complete prevention of wildfires might be beyond our immediate control, we can certainly adopt measures to mitigate the harmful particles affecting our indoor air quality, especially during such outbreaks. This becomes crucial for employers and residential property owners/managers as compromised air quality can directly impact workforce productivity and, by extension, revenue.

One of the most effective ways to address this challenge is by embracing the vision set forth by NYSERDA’s NextGen Buildings program. This initiative is geared towards accelerating the development and commercialization of innovative solutions that not only electrify and decarbonize the building stock in NYS, but also enhance indoor air quality. By championing such building innovations, the program aims to make our buildings cleaner, more energy-efficient, load-flexible, and resilient. A significant advantage of these innovations is the dual benefit they offer – improved indoor air quality and enhanced occupant comfort, thereby adding economic value.

Key benefits of installing state-of-the-art indoor air quality monitors include:

• Enhanced Health and Safety: These devices can detect and pinpoint the source of numerous harmful pollutants.
• Optimized Energy Efficiency: They can fine-tune HVAC systems for ideal ventilation, humidity, and temperature, aligning with the goals of electrification and decarbonization.
• Achieving Sustainability Milestones: Monitors can validate increased building safety through precise measurement and reporting.
• Streamlined Building Maintenance: They can swiftly identify and rectify building ventilation issues, such as clogged air filters or malfunctioning HVAC systems, preventing health hazards and unwarranted expenses.

Given that most individuals spend a significant portion of their time either at home or work, ensuring the safety of these environments becomes paramount. For employers and property managers, the integration of indoor air quality monitors can serve as a compelling selling point, signaling a genuine commitment to the health and well-being of employees or tenants.

At ReWire, our collaborations are driven by a shared vision of a sustainable future. We’re proud to partner with Magnum First, a producer of commercial-grade indoor air quality sensors. These sensors offer continuous monitoring across various parameters, including carbon dioxide, particles, volatile organic compounds, temperature, and humidity. While traditional Demand Controlled Ventilation (DVC) systems primarily measure CO2, Magnum’s IAQ sensor encompasses both human and non-human pollutants, pioneering the concept of “Healthy DVC.” This not only ensures improved health and wellness but also aligns with the objectives of energy-efficient buildings, ultimately leading to cost savings.

We are focused on collaboratively navigating the challenges posed by a changing climate, integrating innovations focused on electrification and decarbonization, as highlighted in NYSERDA PON 3519, can be our beacon, guiding us towards healthier indoor environments and a sustainable future.