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The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans.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

What is A Sustainable Business? And How it Can Benefit You?

Jennifer Crowley
Aug 8, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 19, 2024

What is a Sustainable Business?

A sustainable business, also known as a green or environmentally sustainable business, refers to an enterprise that operates in a manner that considers and minimizes its impact on the environment, society, and the economy. It is characterized by practices and strategies that integrate environmental and social considerations into its core operations and decision-making processes.

Glass mason jar spilling out stacks of coins with atop a bed of black earth amidst a greenery backdrop. Soil and green sprouts grow from each stack of coins — A sustainable business aims to achieve long-term economic viability while considering the environmental and social aspects.

Here are some key characteristics and principles of a sustainable business:

Environmental Stewardship

A sustainable business takes proactive measures to minimize its negative environmental impact. This includes adopting energy-efficient practices, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste generation, promoting recycling and resource conservation, and using renewable resources whenever possible.

Social Responsibility

A sustainable business recognizes its responsibility towards society and engages in ethical practices. It ensures fair treatment of employees, promotes diversity and inclusion, upholds human rights, and maintains safe and healthy working conditions. It also engages with local communities, supports social initiatives, and respects cultural diversity.

Economic Viability

A sustainable business aims to achieve long-term economic viability while considering the environmental and social aspects. It seeks to strike a balance between profitability and responsible business practices. This involves incorporating sustainability into its business strategies, assessing and managing risks, and pursuing innovation and efficiency to create economic value.

Stakeholder Engagement

Sustainable businesses actively engage with their stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, local communities, and investors. They involve stakeholders in decision-making processes, listen to their concerns and feedback, and address their needs. This collaborative approach helps build trust, foster positive relationships, and align business goals with stakeholder expectations.

Supply Chain Management

A sustainable business considers the sustainability performance of its supply chain. It seeks to work with suppliers that share similar values and adhere to environmental and social standards. This includes ensuring responsible sourcing, promoting fair trade practices, and supporting suppliers in improving their sustainability practices.

Transparency and Reporting

A sustainable business embraces transparency by openly communicating its environmental and social performance to stakeholders. It may publish sustainability reports, disclose environmental impacts, and provide information about its sustainability goals, progress, and challenges. This promotes accountability and allows stakeholders to make informed decisions and evaluate the business’s sustainability performance.

Why Is Sustainability Important?

Wooden blocks stacked in a grouping of 9. Each block features a building block sustainability icon; together, these images showcase the pillars of sustainability — 55% of consumers say environmental responsibility is significant when they are choosing a brand.

A sustainable business plays a significant role in the environmental and social parts of society. Additionally, a business benefits both financially and socially from promoting sustainable efforts. Companies that think about the future and their broader impacts on society and the planet see tangible benefits. These include:

Employees are increasingly looking for mission-driven, purpose-led employers who care about the planet when deciding where to work. 71% of employees and employment seekers say that environmentally sustainable companies are more attractive employers.
Consumers are willing to pay a premium for goods from brands that are environmentally responsible. 80% of consumers indicate sustainability is essential to them.
Governments, investors, employees, and customers are demanding new levels of enterprise accountability, including action to address climate change.
Many of the world’s top economies have or are developing corporate disclosure requirements around environmental impact, driving businesses to curb GHG emissions.
The rise of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investment criteria and sustainable investing means that a sustainable business is inherently more attractive to the rising numbers of responsible investors. Investment in ESG assets may reach USD 53 trillion by 2025, representing over a third of global assets.

Benefits of Sustainability in Business:

Investor Appeal

4 out of 5 personal investors plan to act on sustainability or social responsibility factors in the next 12 months.

Increased Longevity of Transformation Investments

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation in most companies. If that transformation is sustainable, you’re building a more resilient business that is ready for disruption and new opportunities.

Competitive Advantage

55% of consumers say environmental responsibility is very or significant when choosing a brand. Being known as a sustainable business can improve your brand awareness and help you attract consumers that are favourably predisposed to companies actively engaged in sustainable practices.

Talent Acquisition

Employees seeking purpose-driven employment want to work for sustainable and socially responsible companies. By building a reputation as a sustainable business, you can attract and retain the right employees for your company.

Potential Challenges with Sustainability in Business

Cost: Implementing sustainable business practices typically requires higher upfront investments. In the short term, it will often be cheaper to stick with the status quo. Some organizations will need help building an investment case to show how immediate investment will result in more stable profitability over the long run.
Supply chain inefficiency: Companies may lack the ability to implement sustainable solutions or even know where to start.
Lack of expertise: Being unprepared to develop a corporate sustainability vision, strategy, and framework is a considerable risk. Every business needs an ecosystem of innovation partners to help them reinvent the world and create a sustainable future.

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