The Hidden Cost of Poor Airflow in High-Performance Commercial Buildings

Poor airflow in commercial buildings leads to higher energy bills, reduced indoor air quality, and HVAC wear. Learn how to identify and solv

Ava Montini

Mar 24, 2025

Written by

Published on

Why airflow inefficiencies drive up costs, compromise indoor air quality, and create hidden challenges for facility managers

Most commercial and institutional buildings today are designed with performance and efficiency in mind. Energy benchmarks, ESG goals, and occupant well-being are often front and center. But despite those efforts, one critical element of building performance is consistently underdiagnosed: airflow.

Poor airflow can silently affect every corner of your building’s operations — from higher energy consumption and HVAC maintenance costs to reduced indoor air quality (IAQ) and missed sustainability opportunities. It rarely shows up as a red flag on day one, but over time, it chips away at performance in ways that are both measurable and avoidable.

Inefficient Airflow Increases Energy Use — Even in “Efficient” Buildings

In many commercial buildings, HVAC systems account for roughly 30–40% of total energy consumption, according to Natural Resources Canada and ASHRAE. But when airflow is restricted, that percentage can climb significantly.

The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans. These conditions increase static pressure, which forces HVAC fans to work harder and longer to achieve required airflow levels.

According to a study by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), buildings with airflow-related HVAC issues can see energy use increase by up to 30% compared to optimized systems. [1]

Even minor issues can have an outsized impact. A 100,000 sq. ft. office building experiencing elevated fan energy use due to clogged filters or inefficient duct design could face annual utility costs tens of thousands of dollars higher than necessary. For building owners managing multiple sites, that inefficiency compounds quickly.

Airflow and Indoor Air Quality Are Closely Linked

Buildings are dynamic systems, and air quality tends to suffer when airflow is compromised. Insufficient airflow can lead to poor ventilation, uneven air distribution, and pockets of stagnation in rooms or zones. These areas often experience elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter — especially in high-occupancy spaces.

A 2015 study from Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that employees working in well-ventilated buildings performed 61% better on cognitive tasks than those in typical buildings with poor ventilation and air quality. [2]

In schools, researchers have found that students in classrooms with improved ventilation perform better on standardized tests. [3] In healthcare facilities, inadequate air movement can increase the risk of airborne illness transmission.

Common complaints like “stuffy rooms,” temperature inconsistencies, or fatigue can often be traced back to airflow and ventilation issues — even when temperature setpoints and filtration standards are technically being met.

Poor Airflow Wears Down HVAC Systems Faster

Inefficient airflow costs more on your energy bill and accelerates mechanical wear and tear. When fan motors, compressors, and dampers are forced to operate under continuous load, components degrade faster than expected.

This leads to:

More frequent repairs and service calls
Shortened equipment lifespan
Greater downtime and occupant discomfort during peak seasons

A study from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) notes that air distribution restrictions are a key factor in premature HVAC failure and reduced system capacity. [4]

The cost of replacing a rooftop unit, for example, can range from $10,000 to $25,000, depending on building size and complexity — not including indirect costs from temporary system downtime.

Sustainability Targets Can Be Quietly Undermined

Many facilities today are pursuing ESG goals, LEED certification, or local emissions reduction mandates. But airflow inefficiencies can quietly work against those targets by increasing Scope 2 emissions (energy-related emissions) and filter waste.

High-resistance air filters, mainly traditional pleated filters, can contribute to this in two ways:

Increased energy use due to pressure drop
Frequent changeouts, leading to more waste and landfill contribution

According to a 2021 study in Building and Environment, filter pressure drop is one of the most overlooked contributors to unnecessary HVAC energy use — especially when filters are overused or under-maintained. [5]

If a building claims progress in sustainability, it’s important to ensure that filtration and airflow practices align with those claims—both from an energy and waste standpoint.

Missed Opportunities for Incentives and Cost Recovery

One of the lesser-known downsides of inefficient airflow is the lost opportunity to qualify for energy retrofit incentives.

Many utility and government programs across North America offer rebates, grants, or low-interest financing for businesses upgrading HVAC systems, controls, and low-pressure filtration. But to be eligible, buildings often need to demonstrate quantifiable improvements in system performance.

For example, Ontario’s Save on Energy Retrofit Program offers up to 50% of project costs for energy-efficiency upgrades, including those related to ventilation, air handling units, and demand control ventilation systems. [6]

Without data on airflow improvement or energy reduction — or without addressing underlying airflow inefficiencies — buildings may fail to qualify, leaving funding on the table.

Practical Steps to Address Airflow Challenges

The good news is that improving airflow doesn’t require a major capital project. Many impactful changes can be made within existing operations and maintenance cycles.

Here’s where most facilities can start:

Conduct a static pressure and airflow assessment to identify bottlenecks
Replace high-pressure filters with low-pressure, high-efficiency alternatives
Balance and tune your HVAC system, especially if zones have changed due to new usage patterns
Install real-time IAQ monitors to detect issues as they emerge, not after complaints arise
Track filter changeouts and energy use to capture data for future incentive applications

These strategies are already being implemented in facilities across North America — and in most cases, they deliver measurable improvements in energy efficiency, equipment reliability, and occupant satisfaction.

Airflow may not be the most visible part of your building, but it’s one of the most influential. When ignored, it quietly drives up energy costs, reduces system lifespan, and compromises air quality.

For facility managers and business owners focused on performance, sustainability, and operational clarity, airflow should be on the radar — not just as a maintenance metric but as a lever for long-term efficiency and resilience.

Addressing airflow challenges is a straightforward, high-ROI step that supports healthier, more cost-effective, and future-ready buildings.

Clearing the Air: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for Healthier Indoors

Jennifer Crowley
Jul 31, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

Extreme close up image of VOCs under a microscope — VOC exposure is impossible to avoid. But to keep their concentration low indoors, it’s important to know where toxic chemicals come from and how to get rid of them once they’re found.

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are gases emitted into the air from products or processes and can be found indoors and outdoors. Some are harmful by themselves, including some that cause cancer. Furthermore, some can react with other gases and form other air pollutants after they are in the air.

Sources of Volatile Organic Compounds

List of various types of VOCs in buildings, home and personal care products and through activities — Breathing in VOCs, even at low levels for long periods of time, may increase some people’s risk of health problems.

Common sources of these organic compounds indoors are:

Paint
Furniture polish and other wood-finishing products
Cleaners, including soaps and laundry detergents
Solvents and thinners, e.g. nail polish remover with acetone or paint thinner
Aerosols, such as air fresheners and other cleaners
Smoke from burning stoves or candles, as well as cigarettes

Common sources of these organic compounds outdoors are:

Factories and other industrial buildings
Traffic and areas with lots of cars
Trash or recycling facility

Common sources of these organic compounds in nature are:

Fires: Whether it be forest fires or smouldering volcanoes if something is burning, there’s a good chance there are harmful chemicals in the air.
Cattle farms: Manure is a particularly volatile source of this organic compound.

Impact of VOCs on Health

Limiting exposure to products and materials containing VOCs is best to protect your health. If you think you may have health problems caused by VOCs, try reducing levels in your home. Breathing in VOCs, even at low levels for long periods of time, may increase some people’s risk of health problems.

The risk of health effects from inhaling any chemical depends on how much is in the air and how long and often a person breathes it in. People with respiratory problems such as asthma, children, the elderly and people with heightened sensitivity to chemicals may be more susceptible to irritation and illness from VOCs.

Common symptoms of short-term exposure to high levels of VOCs include:

Eyes, nose and throat irritation
Headache
Nausea
Worsening asthma symptoms

Common symptoms of chronic exposure to high levels of VOCs include:

Cancer
Liver and kidney damage

Groups who are at greatest risk include children, seniors, pregnant women and people with existing health conditions, such as asthma, chronic pulmonary disease or bronchitis.

How to get rid of VOCs

VOC exposure is impossible to avoid. But to keep their concentration low indoors, it’s important to know where toxic chemicals come from and how to get rid of them once they’re found.

Eliminating the sources of VOC vapours should be your first step. For example, avoid harsh chemicals and store things like paint, fuel, and chemicals far away from your living space. Choose nontoxic cleaning products and shop for low or no-VOC paints and finishes. Many common household products are packed with VOCs. So, simply removing them is a quick and practical method that will immediately improve your air quality.

Reducing exposure to VOCs indoors

Increasing ventilation.
Outdoor, fresh air can help to improve your air quality. Increasing ventilation may be especially beneficial in modern, energy-efficient homes and apartments, which are relatively airtight to save on energy costs but can trap and circulate VOCs.
Avoiding smoking indoors.
Choosing low-emission products when possible.
If you are continually in enclosed spaces with gaseous pollutants, you will be unable to avoid breathing them in, and you may begin to experience adverse health symptoms as a result.
Increase ventilation when using products such as:
Cleaning products
Paints
Solvents
Adhesives
Minimize using scented products, such as plug-ins or aerosol deodorizers (air fresheners).
Get a True HEPA Air Purifier featuring activated carbon to remove VOCs.
This type of air filter can remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mould, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm). Coupled with an activated carbon filter that absorbs all unwanted VOCs and other harmful gases, you are guaranteed clean, fresh air.

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