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

Written by

Published on

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The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans.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

How Does Weather Affect Air Quality?

Jennifer Crowley
Aug 2, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Jul 8, 2024

While we often associate air pollution with industrial emissions and vehicle exhaust, it is essential to recognize the significant role that weather plays in determining air quality. Weather conditions profoundly influence the concentration, dispersion, and accumulation of pollutants in the air we breathe.

In this blog post, we will explore the intricate relationship between weather and air quality, uncovering how various weather phenomena can either exacerbate or improve air quality levels.

The Basics of Air Quality

Before delving into the influence of weather on air quality, it is essential to understand what air quality encompasses. Air quality refers to the composition of gases, particulate matter, and other pollutants present in the atmosphere.

Common air pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), among others. These pollutants adversely affect human health, ranging from respiratory issues to cardiovascular problems and even long-term chronic illnesses.

How Weather affects Air Quality

Temperature and Inversions

Temperature plays a crucial role in air quality regulation, particularly through temperature inversions. During a temperature inversion, a layer of warm air forms above cooler air near the ground. This inversion layer acts as a lid, trapping pollutants close to the surface and preventing their dispersion into the atmosphere. As a result, pollution levels increase, leading to poor air quality. Temperature inversions are more common during cool, calm, and clear nights, making urban areas particularly vulnerable to this effect.

Wind and Dispersion

Wind speed and direction significantly affect air quality and impact the dispersion of pollutants. Stronger winds aid in the dispersion of pollutants, allowing them to disperse over a larger area and reducing their concentration in a particular location. Conversely, calm or stagnant air impedes dispersion, allowing pollutants to accumulate and worsen air quality.

Precipitation and Rain

Rainfall has a beneficial effect on air quality as it helps cleanse the atmosphere by removing pollutants and particulate matter. Raindrops capture pollutants from the air and deposit them on the ground, effectively reducing their presence in the atmosphere. Additionally, rain can help mitigate the effects of airborne allergens and pollen, relieving individuals with respiratory conditions.

Specific Weather Events and Air Quality

Wildfires and Smoke

Wildfires emit massive amounts of smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere, affecting air quality over vast areas. Weather conditions play a crucial role in the spread and dispersion of wildfire smoke. Wind patterns and atmospheric stability can determine the direction and extent to which the smoke travels. During periods of unfavourable weather conditions, such as stagnant air or temperature inversions, smoke can accumulate, leading to hazardous air quality levels.

Dust Storms and Sandstorms

Dust storms and sandstorms occur in arid and desert regions, where strong winds lift large amounts of dust and sand particles into the air. These events can significantly impact air quality, especially in areas prone to such weather phenomena. During these events, air quality deteriorates due to the high concentration of fine particulate matter.

Temperature Inversions and Urban Pollution

Urban areas often experience poor air quality due to the combined effect of various pollution sources, including vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and residential combustion. Temperature inversions can exacerbate this issue by trapping pollutants close to the ground. In urban environments, tall buildings and concrete surfaces contribute to the formation of localized temperature inversions.

Insights Hub

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetur adipiscing elit. Sit quis auctor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet cotetur

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetur adipiscing elit. Sit quis auctor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet cotetur

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consec tetur adipiscing elit. Sit quis auctor

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet cotetur