by Brianna Crandall — June 8, 2016 — A recent report from Navigant Research examines the market for indoor environmental and air quality (IEAQ) technologies used in new construction and retrofit applications. Revenue from IEAQ technologies is expected to total $55.4 billion from 2015 to 2024.
Green buildings rely on good IEAQ to maintain the health and productivity of staff, but as building envelopes are tightened in favor of increasing energy efficiency, air quality can be compromised, points out the report. Technologies that allow building owners and managers to measure and verify ventilation and moisture levels in a workspace can serve as proof that healthy conditions are being maintained for staff.
Anne Wrobetz, research analyst with Navigant Research, comments:
The IEAQ market heavily depends on the building technology value chain, which consists of architects, engineers, real estate management professionals, and building owners and managers. IEAQ tends to become less of a priority after construction is finished, but an evolution in the marketplace could change this perception and lead to more interest in technologies providing advanced air ventilation and filtration.
Monitoring IEAQ has a direct effect on the health and comfort of building occupants, a major goal of many green building rating systems and certifications, according to the report. High rankings in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and other certifications can add to the appeal of IEAQ technologies for a building owner, especially a commercial building owner that depends on occupation for revenue.
The report, Indoor Environmental and Air Quality, analyzes the global market for IEAQ technologies that are currently available and being used in both new construction and retrofit applications. The study provides an analysis of the market conditions for IEAQ monitoring and management and the drivers and barriers for wider adoption of the technologies.
Categories of IEAQ-improving technologies in the report are: IEAQ monitors (CO2, humidity, air pressure, VOCs, particulate matter), demand-controlled ventilation, energy-saving devices, displacement ventilation, monitoring-based commissioning, and increased ventilation amounts.
Market drivers listed in the report include: improvements in health of indoor environment, development of smart and green buildings, increase in awareness of economic benefits, increase in focus on healthy IEAQ, reduction in risk and uncertainty in HVAC operations, expansion of technologies, expansion of measurement and verification efforts, green building certifications and IEAQ, and industry standards (ASHRAE, LEED, HealthVent, U.S. school systems).
Market barriers identified by the report are: resistance to change in the marketplace; myths, misinformation, and mistakes; thermal control conditions; ASHRAE Standard 62.1; air changes per hour; confusion over appropriate sampling location; DCV and sensors; and availability of service providers.
Global market forecasts for IEAQ technologies revenue, segmented by region, building type, and technology, extend through 2024. The report also examines the key categories of IEAQ improvements and the related technologies, as well as the competitive landscape. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research Web site, and the full report is available for purchase.
