One of your responsibilities as a business owner is to provide a safe space for your employees to work. But have you ever thought about how your indoor air quality affects their productivity?
Indoor air quality can have a significant impact on employees’ wellbeing in the workplace. If the air quality is poor, it contributes to various health issues that increase absenteeism and make employees generally less productive, which costs businesses.
According to Manulife’s Wellness Report, an average of 48 days per employee was lost in 2022 to absenteeism or presenteeism (lost productivity due to illness or injury). This creates immense disruption and expense.
Taking proactive measures to improve your indoor air quality and provide a safer, healthier environment for your employees at work has benefits for everyone! Here are some of the reasons you should consider making investments to improve your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the workplace:
Better respiratory health
Poor indoor air quality can aggravate respiratory conditions like allergies, asthma, and chronic infections. Employees will be more likely to experience symptoms, including coughing, sneezing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. This contributes to taking more frequent sick leave and needing longer to recover. By taking action to improve indoor air quality, you’ll be supporting better respiratory health for all of your employees.
Reduced allergies and irritation
Dust, pollen, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are pollutants that can cause allergies and irritation for your employees. If your air quality isn’t properly maintained, your staff will be more likely to suffer from symptoms like itchy eyes, runny noses, sore throats, and skin irritation. All of this is disruptive to their work and could prompt them to stay home more often to alleviate their discomfort.
Avoiding Sick Building Syndrome
Are you familiar with Sick Building Syndrome? The term refers to a condition where building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects linked to time spent in a particular building. It can result from poor ventilation, inadequate temperature and humidity control, and the presence of pollutants. If your employees are affected, they’re likely to take more sick leave for symptoms like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
Fewer respiratory infections
If air circulation is inadequate, it can increase the spread of airborne viruses and bacteria. This is something that received a lot of attention during the pandemic as researchers raced to understand how COVID-19 was spreading. Improved air circulation and filtration can help to limit spread of respiratory infections like colds and flu, reducing overall employee absenteeism.
Increased productivity
If the working environment you’re providing for your employees is uncomfortable due to poor air quality, it can have a negative impact on their morale, motivation, and overall productivity. Employees may feel sluggish, have difficulty focussing, and experience decreased cognitive function, none of which is good for business. By investing in better air quality measures, you’ll be helping your employees to feel their best, which can improve both attendance and productivity at work.
Take action to improve your indoor air quality
So, what can you do to improve your indoor air quality? Understanding how poor air quality contributes to absenteeism and reduced productivity is the first step to valuing investments in HVAC and other air quality controls that will foster a healthier workplace. As an employer, you have a responsibility to your employees. Whyte Ridge Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning can help!
We offer professional and reliable duct cleaning services in the Winnipeg area, including comprehensive commercial duct cleaning. When it comes to maintaining a healthy and efficient commercial space, duct cleaning is an essential investment that offers valuable benefits for business owners.
Dust, dirt, allergens, and pollutants all accumulate in your commercial ductwork over time. Then, when your HVAC system kicks into gear, all of these contaminants are circulated throughout the building, negatively impacting indoor air quality. Duct cleaning removes these pollutants to provide cleaner and healthier air for your employees, customers, and visitors.
Clean air ducts also have a positive effect on your expenses. A build-up of dust and debris in ductwork can obstruct airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder and consume more energy. Having your ducts cleaned removes these blockages and improves energy efficiency, translating into lower energy bills and reduced operating costs for your business.
It can also extend the life of your HVAC system by promoting optimal performance and longevity. You’ll experience fewer breakdowns and avoid costly repairs or premature replacement of your HVAC equipment.
Investing in your employees
Cleaner air promotes a healthier and more comfortable work environment. Commercial duct cleaning is an investment in your employees’ wellbeing, which can positively impact their performance. Depending on your industry, there may even be specific health and safety regulations that require regular duct cleaning. Ensuring compliance with these regulations is not only essential for legal reasons but also demonstrates your commitment to your employees and customers.
Prioritizing a healthy environment through regular duct cleaning sends a powerful message, showing that you care about the health of all of your stakeholders. This improves your brand image and can give you a competitive edge in the market.
To ensure your business benefits from these valuable advantages, Whyte Ridge Furnace & Air Duct Cleaning offers professional and affordable commercial duct cleaning services. Our experienced team uses state-of-the-art negative air equipment to thoroughly clean your ductwork, eliminating harmful pollutants and improving indoor air quality. With our service, you can create a healthier, more productive, and cost-effective environment for your business. It’s a small expense with a big payoff.
