Air treatment in the services sector and its importance

Mechanical ventilation and air conditioning systems in large commercial areas or buildings intended for services or offices must be personalized. They are even more important than those implemented in homes, as many times these are schools or hospitals where health must be guaranteed even more rigorously. That is why the air treatment in the services sector is something that we must plan individually, taking into account the unique characteristics of each project.

In previous times, the air conditioning sector focused on finding systems capable of improving the thermal conditions of large spaces, and currently, the air treatment in the services sector aims to temper large spaces as well as ensure necessary renewal. One of the most common methods in large spaces is ducts, which can improve the productive capacity of workers and the comfort of the general public. This is essential in both workplaces and commercial spaces.

Mechanical ventilation systems in the services sector are used for closed and isolated areas, so it is common to generate stale air, which is why mechanical extraction of air that has lost quality is essential. Air conditioning can be carried out in different ways, but heat recovery and evaporative cooling are two ways to save energy and commit to sustainable systems.

Many factors must be considered before starting the installation of a air treatment system in the services sector that will need to adapt to various conditions:

1. If it is a complex that has an industrial area in addition to a service area, it will have to deal with high temperatures in the case of manufacturing processes and find a way to cool those temperatures. For example, in the case of kitchens and restaurants.
2. An important challenge is that in large open spaces, there are no leakage zones and that ventilation and air conditioning reach all corners. In a cooking area and in a corner of the venue, similar air must be breathed.
3. Likewise, if smoke is produced, it is essential to have extraction systems at the same focal points where activity takes place.
4. It's not just smoke, but also if there are gases, dust, or humidity. The extraction of air must take all this into account for the safety of employees.
5. Temperatures must be mild throughout the year, without being too cold or hot in summer or winter. Winter temperatures should be around 22ºC and in summer around 26ºC.

The guidelines to follow for installing mechanical ventilation systems in large services spaces - as well as in industrial areas - are governed by the RITE (Regulation of Thermal Installations in Buildings), and in this regulation, two main aspects are emphasized: on one hand, energy savings and energy efficiency and on the other, air quality. This is why it is estimated that mechanical ventilation must also ensure that heat recovery systems are utilized, such as those proposed by double flow ventilation.

Improve air treatment in the services sector and commerce

The air treatment in commercial areas and spaces must be based on its renewal and also on its conditioning. For this, the following purposes must be taken into account:

1. Mechanical ventilation systems or natural ones can be chosen, as well as hybrids. The most important thing is to achieve the necessary air flow indicated by the RITE.
2. The air must be filtered in places such as hospitals or areas of high importance. Ideally, air should be pushed from the outside with air filters, especially in cities and places of high contamination.
3. Installing a heat recovery unit will help us reduce supply costs and have energy efficiency systems that do not rely on traditional air conditioning mechanisms.

It is crucial to emphasize that the air conditioning used in large service and commercial spaces, such as leisure centers or even shopping malls, is excessively high. The expenditure is disproportionate, so finding energy efficiency solutions is a very important option to consider.

Moreover, service spaces will also be influenced by the imminent mandatory implementation of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings that will start in 2020. Therefore, air treatment in the services sector is essential to save energy costs and adapt to regulations aimed at minimizing the impact of air conditioning on energy resources, whenever possible.