|
Occupant Issues
- EPA estimates that 20 – 30% of buildings have some level of IAQ problems. People are becoming more sensitive to indoor environments because they spend 75 to 90% of their time indoors. Most workers and students spend half their waking hours at work or school.
- Because indoor environments are confined and pollutant levels are often higher indoors than outdoors (l00x or even l, 000x higher), building owners and employers are noting an increase in related illnesses that lower productivity, increase absenteeism, and increase health and insurance costs.
- Another factor often overlooked in the pursuit of energy savings and efficiency is the comparative cost of workers’ time and facility energy costs. Typical facility energy costs range from $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot of the building. Worker costs can range up to $300 per square foot, so it follows that worker productivity and conditions are paramount.
- This highlights the importance of two issues:
- Good quality indoor air is just as important as the temperature of the room.
- Energy savings that impact worker productivity can be wiped out if they cause even slight disruptions.
.
|
|
|
|
