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The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans.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

Electrostatic Air Filter: Everything You Need to Know

Jennifer Crowley
Dec 18, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Jul 8, 2024

Image of Blade Air's Pro Filter halfway inserted into a commercial HVAC system — Electrostatic filters utilize static electricity to attract and trap particles on the charged fibres and carbon paths. So instead of getting pulled through and being blocked by filter material like standard filters, the particles are attracted to the filter media.

The importance of indoor air quality and the benefits of maintaining a clean air environment has become a major concern for indoor spaces. These benefits range from our mental and physical health improvements to better HVAC system efficiency and lower electricity costs. As a result, many large, public indoor spaces like offices, schools, buildings, and medical centers that we visit daily are required to pay greater attention to air quality for the safety of everyone.

But often, finding the right indoor air quality solution that is both economically sound and effective can seem daunting and overwhelming. With so many different types of HVAC filters and so much information to digest, how do you know the best choice?

If you want to save money and time while enhancing your air quality, electrostatic HVAC filters may be an excellent solution for your facility. In this blog, we will be going over the different types of electrostatic air cleaning filters, which one is most effective and how they differ from the industry standard filters.

What is an Electrostatic Air Filter?

An electrostatic filter is a form of air purifying technology commonly used in larger indoor spaces – specifically for commercial or industrial purposes. These units can be used in portable air cleaning devices or installed in the ductwork of HVAC systems.

The main idea of electrostatic filters is to utilize static electricity to attract and trap particles on the charged fibres and carbon paths. So instead of getting pulled through and being blocked by filter material like standard filters, the particles are attracted to the filter media.

Types of Electrostatic Filters

You will encounter two standard electrostatic technologies when searching the different types of electrostatic filters. In this article, we will be comparing the two:

Electrostatic Ionized Technology
Electrostatic Polarized Technology

Let’s look at the two technologies in a little more detail.

Electrostatic Ionized Technology

Illustration explaining how the Pro Filter works: Ionic electrostatic filters give a charge to airborne particles passing through the filter. The electrical charge allows the particles to be pulled and entrapped by plates (precipitators) of the opposite charge. — Electrostatic ionizing filters remove large particles, such as dust and pollen, but cannot filter all particles at the same level of efficiency.

Ionic electrostatic filters give a charge to airborne particles passing through the filter. The electrical charge allows the particles to be pulled and entrapped by plates (precipitators) of the opposite charge.

Are Electrostatic Ionized Filters Effective?

Electrostatic ionizing filters effectively remove large particles, such as dust and pollen, from the air but cannot filter the air of all particles at the same level of efficiency. The filter’s efficiency depends on the contaminant’s size; smaller particles in the mid-range within 0.1 to 1 micrometres are not charged as effectively and, as a result, are not collected thoroughly on the plates.

The Effect of Ionization on Health

One of the most significant issues with electrostatic precipitators is the potential creation of ozone as a byproduct. If breathed in at ground level, ozone is proven to be hazardous to one’s health. There is a potential risk of experiencing:

Decreases in lung function
Aggravation of asthma
Throat irritation and cough
Chest pain and shortness of breath
Inflammation of lung tissue
Higher susceptibility to respiratory infection

Electrostatic Polarized Technology

Unlike Ionizing technology, polarized particles are referred to as bi-polar, meaning that each molecule has a positive charge at one end and a negative charge at the other. Let’s take the example of a magnet; polarized technology works similarly to how magnets’ positive and negative sides attract each other. Electrostatic polarized filters combine three major scientific principles to filter air and trap unwanted particulates.

Steps of the Filtration Process

Illustration detailing the 3 steps for filtration in an electrostatic filter including Impingement, Polarization and Agglomeration — Polarized technology works similarly to how magnets’ positive and negative sides attract each other.

Impingement – Commonly referred to as a pre-filter, the impingement process traps dust by using the media placed in the path of oncoming airborne particles to stop it.
Polarization is the process of inducing an electrostatic charge to any particulates that pass through the air cleaner. This allows pathogens to be easily removed from the air with oppositely charged fibre media that act like magnets.
Agglomeration is an advanced stage of polarization. The already charged polarized particles attach with other polarized particles as they collide in the air – this is called a “polarized field.” This field binds the submicron particles that standard filters otherwise let pass, deactivates the viruses/bacteria, and traps them in the filter, allowing the air cleaner to capture even the smallest particles.

Why Are Polarized Electrostatic Filters More Effective?

Unlike the more common ionizing technology found in most electrostatic air filters, polarized-media air cleaners do an exceptional job of removing sub-micron (<1 micron in size) particles without the efficiency loss associated with precipitating electronic air cleaners. In addition, as each particle attaches itself to the fibre strands it, in turn, becomes part of the collection process, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the filter as it loads. Polarized media also produces no ozone – making the filter better in performance and for human health.

To summarize, here is a table demonstrating the difference between the two types of electrostatic filters just discussed.

Ionizing Technology	Ozone	Harmful to health	Not effective on small microns	Messy cleanup
Polarizing Technology	No Ozone	No harm to health	Effective on all sized microns	Hassle-free maintenance

Traditional Filters (MERV)

Until now, we have established that electrostatic polarizing technology is far more effective than electrostatic ionizing technology in indoor settings. But how exactly does it compare to the regular standard filters – that we find in most HVAC systems today?

All traditional air filters are differentiated according to their MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating, which denotes their efficiency. The higher a filter’s MERV rating, the more effective it is at capturing airborne particles.

MERV 13 and below are considered to be HVAC-system-grade filters for residential, commercial and general hospital use. MERV 13 filters are able to filter particles closer to the 0.3 microns size, which includes contaminants such as:

Pollen
Mould
Dust
Dust Mites
Bacteria
Pet Dander
Smoke
Virus carriers
Exhaust fumes

Electrostatic Filters vs Standard Filters

When comparing electrostatic polarized filters, specifically the Blade Electrostatic Polarized Filter, to MERV 13 and MERV 8 filters, we see the Blade Electrostatic Polarized Filter has greater filtration performance, filtering at 0.007 microns and maintaining a lower pressure drop. Pressure drop refers to the amount of electricity it takes to push the air through a filter. A low-pressure drop rating means pushing the air through the filter takes less power.

Learn about other Types of HVAC Filters and how they compare to electrostatic filters.

Blade’s Electrostatic Polarized Filters

The Blade Electrostatic Polarized filter provides HEPA-Class and MERV-rated filtration while lowering your building’s energy consumption and maintenance time. Our electrostatic filters are the best option in HVAC systems and facilities where enhanced air quality is required, but a HEPA filter is not practical.

Blade electrostatic polarized filters remove micro-particulates 40x smaller than traditional HVAC filters, enhancing your indoor air quality.

Blade’s electrostatic polarized filters remove harmful particulates, even as small as 0.007 micrometres, that traditional filters do not, making them the ideal filtration solution. Utilizing active polarization fields binds the tiny submicron particles together that standard filters and electrostatic ionic filters let pass.

When compared to traditional standard filters, Blade is proven to provide enhanced air quality and longer-lasting filters and lowers your energy consumption. In addition, the filter’s innovative design uses low-density media, reducing the strain on your HVAC system compared to traditional filters and high-efficiency systems.