How HVAC Systems Improve Indoor Air Quality in Commercial Buildings
In commercial buildings, the quality of the air people breathe every day is directly tied to the performance and design of the HVAC system.
From conference rooms and office cubicles to large-scale production floors, every part of a commercial property relies on consistent, clean airflow to support health, comfort, and productivity.
An underperforming HVAC system can allow airborne pollutants to accumulate, create humidity imbalances, and foster environments that contribute to illness, fatigue, and poor morale among occupants.
On the other hand, a well-maintained system can remove contaminants, manage moisture, and provide a steady stream of fresh air where it’s needed most.
At Solid Refrigeration, we know that HVAC solutions do more than just regulate temperature — they actively shape the air that your employees, customers, and equipment rely on daily.
That’s why it’s crucial for facility managers and business owners to understand how system design, maintenance, and upgrades can significantly improve IAQ outcomes. Here's how.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants Mitigated by HVAC Systems
Indoor air within commercial buildings can become contaminated with a wide range of pollutants that originate from both indoor and outdoor sources.
These pollutants often include particulate matter (PM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), radon, biological contaminants like bacteria and viruses, and allergens such as pollen and mold spores.
In large facilities, these contaminants accumulate quickly without adequate filtration and ventilation, compromising both occupant health and the performance of sensitive equipment. HVAC systems are engineered to address these challenges through integrated air handling, filtering, and environmental control mechanisms.
High-efficiency commercial HVAC systems mitigate pollutants by continuously drawing in outdoor air, filtering it, and circulating it through return and supply vents across various zones.
This closed-loop cycle reduces indoor concentrations of contaminants and regulates air exchange rates to ensure stale air is expelled and replaced efficiently.
For example, HEPA or MERV-rated filters within air handling units (AHUs) are designed to capture fine particulate matter, while activated carbon filters target gaseous pollutants such as VOCs. Ventilation strategies built into these systems help minimize contaminant buildup in enclosed areas, such as conference rooms or warehouse spaces.
At facilities maintained by Solid Refrigeration in Bloomington, MN, commercial HVAC installations are equipped to manage air quality in industries where precision is non-negotiable—like healthcare, food processing, and retail.
These systems are tailored to remove common pollutants specific to each environment. By using an advanced commercial HVAC setup, businesses can control pollutant levels to meet both regulatory standards and internal safety benchmarks.
How HVAC Ventilation Design Influences Fresh Air Distribution
Ventilation design in commercial HVAC systems plays a critical role in how effectively fresh air is introduced, circulated, and exhausted within indoor environments.
An efficient design considers factors such as air change rate, ductwork configuration, occupancy levels, pressure differentials between rooms, and the placement of supply and return vents.
Poorly designed ventilation systems can create areas of stagnant air or uneven temperature distribution, leading to discomfort and localized pollution buildup. Properly engineered systems, by contrast, help maintain a steady flow of oxygen-rich, filtered outdoor air while removing indoor contaminants and controlling humidity.
Advanced systems often incorporate demand-controlled ventilation (DCV), which uses sensors to measure occupancy or carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels and adjust airflow accordingly.
This prevents over-ventilation, which can waste energy, and under-ventilation, which can result in inadequate air exchange. Displacement ventilation, mixing ventilation, and natural-assisted ventilation are commonly used strategies in commercial properties.
Each method is tailored to the specific use case of the building. For instance, healthcare or food processing facilities require high air change rates and directional airflow to reduce cross-contamination, while office buildings may focus more on energy recovery and occupant comfort.
Solid Refrigeration's expertise includes integrating ventilation strategies into customized HVAC solutions for commercial clients throughout Bloomington and the greater Twin Cities area.
The Role of HVAC Filters in Maintaining Indoor Air Quality
HVAC filters serve as the frontline defense in maintaining indoor air quality by capturing airborne particles and preventing them from circulating throughout a building.
In commercial environments, filters must be capable of handling high volumes of air while removing a broad spectrum of contaminants, including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, smoke particles, and even certain gases.
The filtration efficiency is usually classified by the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating, which ranges from MERV 1 to MERV 20. Filters rated MERV 13 and above are typically required in healthcare and food-processing facilities to effectively capture smaller particles and pathogens.
The effectiveness of filtration in a commercial HVAC system depends not only on the MERV rating but also on proper sizing, sealing, and regular maintenance.
Filters must be changed according to a strict schedule to prevent airflow restrictions and ensure continued contaminant removal. Clogged or improperly fitted filters reduce system efficiency and can even release captured particles back into the environment.
In systems where ultra-clean air is essential, such as in laboratories or medical settings, multiple stages of filtration are used, including pre-filters, fine filters, and HEPA filters. These systems may also include ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) to deactivate biological contaminants captured on filter surfaces.
How HVAC Humidity Control Prevents Mold Growth & Related Issues
Controlling indoor humidity is essential for maintaining both air quality and building integrity in commercial facilities. When relative humidity (RH) levels rise above 60%, conditions become favorable for mold and mildew growth, which can damage structural components and compromise indoor air quality.
Mold spores are airborne contaminants that thrive in moist environments and can cause respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, and long-term health issues, especially in sensitive populations. A well-configured HVAC system is a building’s most effective tool for maintaining proper humidity levels and preventing microbial contamination.
Commercial HVAC systems regulate humidity through cooling coils, condensate drains, and dedicated dehumidifiers. When air passes over the system’s evaporator coils, moisture condenses and is drained away, lowering the air’s RH.
In environments with high moisture loads—such as meat markets, healthcare facilities, and food processing plants—systems may incorporate reheat coils and variable speed air handlers to fine-tune humidity levels without overcooling the space.
Poor humidity control not only promotes mold growth but also affects equipment operation and indoor comfort, making proper design and calibration critical.
Solid Refrigeration includes humidity management as a standard element of its custom HVAC installations across commercial sectors in Bloomington, MN.
Best Practices for Monitoring & Improving Indoor Air Quality Through HVAC Management
Monitoring and managing indoor air quality (IAQ) in commercial buildings involves a strategic approach that incorporates sensors, diagnostics, maintenance protocols, and smart controls integrated into HVAC systems.
The foundation of effective IAQ management is continuous monitoring using devices that measure key parameters such as particulate concentration (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxide (CO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), temperature, and relative humidity.
These measurements allow facility managers to detect and respond to pollution events in real time, optimizing ventilation, filtration, and system performance to maintain air quality within recommended thresholds.
Best practices include implementing automated building management systems (BMS) or direct digital controls (DDC) that analyze indoor air data and make real-time adjustments to airflow, filtration rates, and outdoor air intake.
HVAC systems should be regularly inspected and calibrated to ensure proper operation of sensors, actuators, dampers, and valves. Routine maintenance tasks such as filter replacements, duct cleaning, and coil disinfection are critical to preventing pollutant accumulation and system degradation.
Businesses should also develop IAQ protocols aligned with ASHRAE standards (such as Standard 62.1 for ventilation) and OSHA indoor air quality guidelines.
How Solid Refrigeration Can Help You Improve Indoor Air Quality with HVAC Solutions
Indoor air quality in commercial buildings isn’t just a comfort issue — it’s a health, safety, and operational priority. At Solid Refrigeration, we understand that each industry has unique IAQ demands, from grocery stores needing precise humidity control to healthcare environments requiring strict airborne contaminant management.
With our full-service team just a phone call away at 952-854-2850, we’ve built a reputation for delivering custom HVAC solutions that enhance air quality, system efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
If you’re ready to take control of the air quality inside your commercial property, trust the experts at Solid Refrigeration to deliver practical, industry-specific solutions backed by over 15 years of technical experience.
Contact us today for a free estimate and see how we can optimize your HVAC system for cleaner, healthier, and more efficient indoor environments.