Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1439508
January/February/March 2022 I 27 In addition to bringing a new focus to improving air quality, COVID-19 also spurred demand for advanced technologies that support safety for pandemic management and beyond. These include touchless sensor-activated doors, automated temperature scanners, contactless restroom plumbing as well as card, biometric, or voice-activated elevators. ENERGY EFFICIENCY MOVES FRONT AND CENTER Pressure is growing to make buildings more sustain- able and energy efficient, which goes hand-in-hand with optimizing air quality. The electrification of buildings—the shift away from gas to heat and power buildings—has been on the rise for years. However, building electrification as well as national and local carbon reduction targets, such as new rules that require a 20 percent reduction in energy use by 2030 for New York City buildings larger than 25 thousand ft 2 (≈2323 m 2 ), are encouraging a shift toward electricity. Renewed interest in solar and away from gas to heat and power buildings is gaining momentum. Building owners are accelerating efforts to decarbonize their heating systems, and heat pumps are gaining popularity. These updated and complex systems will require on-site maintenance and repairs. SMART TECHNOLOGIES ARE SEEN AS A SMART BUSINESS MOVE Building owners and management firms are increasingly interested in investing in intelligent technologies that boost security, enhance tenant or resident comfort and satisfaction, improve management and energy efficiency, and reduce maintenance requirements and operating costs. Smart elevator solutions are one example. They are faster and more secure, offer predictive maintenance and remote management, and consume less power. THE NEED TO COMPETE In historic structures, character and charm can only compete so far with the convenience and value of cutting-edge connectivity and smart control systems. Even relatively newer buildings, from high-rises to retail complexes to data centers, may rely on outdated heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC), electrical, plumbing, communication, and other systems. THE PANDEMIC SHIFTED PRIORITIES The COVID-19 pandemic has radically reconfigured priorities in work and living environments, driving a flurry of remodeling. For example, indoor air quality mattered in the past but was rarely the top-of-mind concern it became during the pandemic. Now that workers have begun heading back to offices, companies are investing heavily in making indoor work environ- ments healthier and safer. Many are upgrading venti- lation and other equipment, as well as redesigning open office spaces. While the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stopped short of requiring new building venti- lation systems to stop the spread of the coronavirus and other viral particles, the latest guidelines recommend a layered approach to reduce exposure. This includes improvements to building ventilation and potential changes to HVAC systems (Figure 1). FIGURE 1: Now that workers are heading back to offices, integrated ICT labels are critical to helping ensure indoor work environments are safe.