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The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans.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

Ontario School Board Purchase Blade Air Technology

Jennifer Crowley
Jul 27, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 9, 2024

Blade Air's Induct-300W UVGI supplemental Air Sanitization system

Peel District School Board (PDSB) purchases Air Sniper units, through Blade Air, to help protect faculty and students from COVID-19 and other airborne contaminants.

CALGARY, AB, June 1, 2021 /CNW/ – A Canadian manufacturer of air purification systems, Air Sniper, has partnered with Blade Air, Blade Filters’ air purification division, to engage the Peel District School Board (PDSB) in Southern Ontario to help protect faculty and students from COVID-19 and other airborne contaminants. UVC is one of the few technologies approved and recommended by ASHRAE to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The PDSB’s investment in Air Sniper is an exciting opportunity for both Air Sniper and Blade Air, two proud Canadian companies, in their ongoing commitment to providing innovative solutions against COVID-19.

ABOUT BLADE AIR

Blade Air is a proudly Canadian company located in Toronto, Ontario, focused on providing Canadian-made industrial air quality solutions. After revolutionizing the cannabis air filtration industry with their replaceable carbon cartridge filter, Blade Filters created their new operating division, Blade Air. This division was developed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and specializes in providing air quality solutions for industrial facilities.

With a desire to make a difference by helping businesses improve air quality, the team utilized their resources and technology to develop the Blade Air HEPA-Carbon Air Purifier. Now, with the Ontario School Board Purchase of Blade Air Technology, thousands of UVC units have been deployed in classrooms and companies. Blade Filters is a trusted partner of Ontario Together and the Ontario Education Collaborative Marketplace (OECM). Through their partnership with Air Sniper, Blade Filters is now a licensed distributor of all Air Sniper products. As an exponentially growing company, Blade Filters offers advanced air quality solutions to create the safest environment for all businesses, schools, and organizations.

“The Blade Filters team is extremely excited and proud to be partnered with another all-Canadian company, Air Sniper, to provide in-line air purification solutions,” says Aedan Fida, CEO of Blade Filters. “Air Sniper’s team has demonstrated a deep understanding of their product offering, has exemplified excellent customer service, and has perfected their industry-leading UV-C-based technologies. We’re looking forward to continuing the relationship and collaborating on future projects.”

ABOUT AIR SNIPER

Air Sniper, based in Calgary, AB, develops and manufactures one of the most advanced air sanitization solutions. Their units will be rolled out to the region’s 257 schools through the remainder of 2021. Air Sniper’s advanced air purification solution properly applies UV-C technology and is installed within existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. The equipment also has BAS/BAC net compatibility for monitoring and control.

All Air Sniper solutions are independently tested by third-party labs and have been proven effective at removing airborne contaminants such as Escherichia virus MS2 (Covid-19), staphylococcus epidermidis, influenza A (H1N1), and Aspergillus Niger (Mold). The system leverages Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) light at a spectrum of 253.7 nanometers to produce its germicidal effect. The system’s technologies produce zero ozone and will provide the schools with the safest and most effective air sanitization measures. Air Sniper has provided complete air purification solutions for businesses across Canada since 2015 and continues to create flexible options that meet industrial-scale needs.

“Air Sniper is excited to work on the Peel project in partnership with Blade Air. They are an exceptional team to work with. We are proud to be providing solutions for the school district to protect faculty and students against COVID-19 and other airborne viruses.,” says Stuart Henley, President of Air Sniper. “For us to be able to provide safe and effective air purification solutions to the Peel school district is a great honour.”

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