ASHRAE Journal - June 2021 - 6

INDUSTRY NEWS
Pandemic Accelerates IAQ
Technology Development
Contributed by BSRIA Worldwide Market Intelligence
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, U.K.-The COVID-19 pandemic has
increased awareness of the importance of ventilation
and maintaining good indoor air quality, especially
in commercial spaces. HVAC manufacturers
and controls companies have actively been looking
to adopt products, solutions and services to tackle
the spread of the coronavirus and help people have
confidence returning to commercial and public
buildings.
The latest BSRIA World Air Conditioning and
Building Automation Controls (BACS) studies published
in March 2021 revealed a significant number
of new product launches, especially with the split
air-conditioning market and direct expansion (DX)
coil air-handling units (AHUs). The common theme
among the products was integration of ventilation
with DX systems, air purification, smart sensors, controls,
the adoption of enabling Internet of Things and
artificial intelligence prediction control.
The pandemic has created the opportunity for manufacturers
to launch or accelerate the development of
these technologies. While it takes years to develop a
new product or solution, some of these technologies
were already in process. BSRIA has been recording
the sales of these for many years, and the technologies'
adoption has been steadily growing. During the
pandemic, there has been a surge of these units to
meet demand for immediate ventilation needs, especially
in the health-care sector. The top chart above,
as an example, shows the ratio of AHUs with a DX coil
vs. a chilled water system. Changes are expected in
the ratio going forward.
HVAC and controls manufacturers will market the
combination of existing technologies with the new
adaptations and new technologies, with emphasis on
ventilation and IAQ. Building owners and operators
need to review the best solutions for their buildings.
It is too early to say which technologies or solutions
are here to stay and which are fads that would be
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ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.o rg
J U N E 2021
U.S. Compound Annual Growth Rate for Commercial MERV 13+
Ventilation Filters by Vertical Market in Millions of U.S. Dollars
Between 2020 and 2025
AHUs with Chilled Water vs. DX Coil, by Volume in 2020
adopted by different verticals.
BSRIA is undertaking a study looking at IAQ in commercial
buildings in North America. The market
analysis will provide a full understanding of the solutions
available in the market and where the demand
and supply are heading. The study will be based on
interviews with a panel of respondents from selected
verticals and forecast the next five years.
The study will focus on how filtration, air purification,
ventilation with dedicated outdoor air systems,
controls and air conditioning connect with IAQ.
BSRIA expects to see significant growth rates in the
demand for filtration filters in key commercial applications
such as education, hospitality and offices over
the next few years (bottom chart). The study will be
available in June.
To learn more about BSRIA, visit www.bsria.com
http://www.bsria.com https://www.ashrae.org/
ASHRAE Journal - June 2021

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