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

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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The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans.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.

Do Air Purifiers Remove Smells?

Jennifer Crowley
Jul 31, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

Image of an African American man holding his nose with a grimace on his face - he doesn't like what he smells — Air purifiers with activated carbon are better at absorbing unwanted odours, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and organic compounds, creating that crisp, fresh air feel.

Indoor air pollution is a serious concern for commercial and industrial facilities and homeowners. One of the most common complaints about indoor air quality is the presence of unpleasant odours. Whether it’s caused by smoking, cooking, or pets, pungent odours can be a real problem in any indoor space. Many people turn to air purifiers to solve this problem, but do air purifiers reduce odours?

In this blog post, we will explore how air purifiers can help with bad smells and why certain air purifiers are better than others. Specifically, we will discuss how air purifiers with activated carbon are better at absorbing unwanted odours, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and organic compounds, creating that crisp, fresh air feel.

Whether you’re dealing with industrial chemicals, cigarette smoke, or cooking smells, we’ll help you understand how an air purifier might solve your odour problem. So, let’s dive in!

Common Causes of Indoor Odour

Indoor air can be more polluted than outdoor air, even in large industrial cities. A big reason your indoor space might have a strange smell is the lack of ventilation. When an indoor room isn’t adequately ventilated, contaminants like allergens, VOCs and odours become trapped, and a lack of airflow increases indoor pollution levels and encourages mould and bacteria growth.

Mould and Mildew

Proper identification is crucial when dealing with household fungi due to the different treatment methods required. These fungi emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that produce a musty smell during various stages of growth. Although the spores of these fungi can be toxic, their odour can serve as a helpful indication that there is an issue in your home.

Using various ventilation methods and ensuring adequate airflow indoors is an excellent way of preventing mould and mildew. However, if you come across mould or a musty smell in your home, you must act swiftly after discovering them to avoid any potential health hazards.

Smoke

Instead of covering up foul odours with stronger fragrances, it’s essential to address the root cause of the smell as much as possible. This can include eliminating the source of the odour and regularly cleaning the affected area. An effective air purifier can also play a crucial role in eliminating lingering and unpleasant smells in your home once the source has been removed and cleaning has been done.

Pets

Pets, through the secretion of tiny proteins, oils, and other substances and shedding dander, can create an unpleasant odour in your home. Additionally, dander can pose a significant threat to individuals who suffer from allergies.

Chemical Contaminants

Chemical contaminants can be found in various sources, one of the most common being Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). These organic chemicals containing carbon can evaporate into the air and cause odours. They are commonly found in office and home environments and can be emitted from a wide range of products found in these spaces.

HEPA Air Purifiers Remove Smells

HEPA filters are designed to capture large particles. However, they can only remove odours, chemicals, gases, or VOCs with additional technology. Therefore, they could be more efficient in eliminating odours.

HEPA Air Purifiers with Activated Carbon

With activated carbon filters, air purifiers can effectively absorb unwanted odours, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other organic compounds, leaving your space smelling fresh and clean. Activated carbon filters work by adsorbing VOCs onto their surface, where they are trapped and neutralized. When used together, HEPA air purifiers and activated carbon filters can effectively remove odours from the air.

Blade HEPA Air Purifier

The Blade HEPA Air Purifier has a comprehensive multi-stage filtration process to ensure a completely clean air environment in any deployed indoor setting. The four stages of air filtration are:

Illustration of the Blade Air HEPA Air Purifier's interior with an outline of each part including the main fan, pre-filter, airflow, HEP Filter, Carbon filter and outflow — Meet the Blade Air HEPA Air Purifier

Stage 1

Large to medium particle pre-filter to initially remove dust, dirt, and debris.

Stage 2

Pulling pre-filtered air through a high-efficiency variable speed fan.

Stage 3

Industry-leading cubic HEPA removes 99.97% of all particles at 0.3 microns in size.

Stage 4

Pleated activated carbon filter for the absorption of odours, gasses and chemicals.

Why is the Blade HEPA Air Purifier the best choice?

The Premium air purifier is a perfect solution to enhance the air quality in any space, regardless of size. Equipped with one cubic foot of HEPA filter that has been certified and independently lab-tested, it can effectively remove 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns and smaller. Additionally, it has an active carbon filter that captures odours, VOCs, and organic compounds, perfect for odour control.

Learn more about the Blade HEPA Air Purifier.

Additional tips to remove odour

The most immediate thing you can do to improve indoor odour and air quality is to open windows and doors so that fresh air can circulate. Once you shut them, make sure to run a high-quality air purifier to clean whatever contaminants remain in the air. In addition to an air purifier, ensure your HVAC filters and air ducts are clean and continuously running to control indoor humidity levels and prevent a build-up of contaminants.

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