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

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The most common culprits are high-resistance filters, dirty or aging ductwork, unbalanced systems, or outdated fans.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

What are ESG Goals and Why Are They Important?

Jennifer Crowley
Aug 1, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 8, 2024

Female hand outstretched amidst a blurred grennery backdrop and holding a graphic image depicting images of ESG including people, government, ecology, industrial building, windmills and the globe — Environmental, Social, and Governance, ESG has emerged as a robust framework that evaluates a company’s impact on the environment and society, as well as its governance practices.

In recent years, the business landscape has witnessed a significant shift towards sustainability and responsible practices. One of the key concepts at the forefront of this movement is ESG. Standing for Environmental, Social, and Governance, ESG has emerged as a robust framework that evaluates a company’s impact on the environment and society, as well as its governance practices. This blog post aims to provide an in-depth understanding of ESG goals, highlighting its importance in fostering sustainable and responsible business practices.

Understanding ESG

ESG refers to a set of criteria used to assess a company’s performance in three critical areas: environmental, social, and governance. Each component carries its significance and contributes to evaluating a company’s overall sustainability and responsible practices.

1. Environmental Factors

Environmental factors assess a company’s impact on the environment. This includes its carbon footprint, resource consumption, waste management, pollution levels, and commitment to renewable energy sources. ESG encourages companies to adopt eco-friendly practices, reduce emissions, conserve resources, and work towards mitigating climate change.

2. Social Factors

Social factors focus on a company’s relationships with its employees, customers, suppliers, and communities. It encompasses labour standards, employee welfare, diversity and inclusion, product safety, customer satisfaction, community engagement, and philanthropic activities. ESG emphasizes the importance of fair treatment, ethical behaviour, and positive social impact.

3. Governance Factors

Governance factors evaluate a company’s internal structure, leadership, and decision-making processes. It includes aspects such as board composition, executive compensation, transparency, accountability, and risk management. ESG promotes strong corporate governance, ethical leadership, and responsible decision-making to ensure long-term value creation and protection for all stakeholders.

The Importance of ESG

ESG has gained immense importance in today’s business landscape due to several reasons:

Risk Management

Adopting ESG practices helps companies identify and manage potential risks. By addressing environmental and social issues proactively, businesses can mitigate legal, reputational, and operational risks. Effective governance practices also reduce the likelihood of fraud and unethical behaviour, protecting the company’s reputation and financial stability.

2. Long-term Value Creation

ESG practices contribute to long-term value creation. By integrating sustainability into their business strategies, companies can identify opportunities for innovation, cost savings, and enhanced operational efficiency. Consumers, investors, and employees increasingly prefer companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and responsible practices, leading to increased market competitiveness and profitability.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

ESG encourages companies to engage with their stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and communities. By actively involving stakeholders in decision-making processes and considering their perspectives, companies can build trust, loyalty, and stronger relationships. This fosters a positive corporate culture, attracts top talent, and enhances brand reputation.

4. Positive Environmental and Social Impact

Adopting ESG practices allows companies to make a positive impact on the environment and society. By reducing emissions, conserving resources, promoting social equality, and supporting local communities, businesses can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. This not only benefits the planet and society but also strengthens the company’s social license to operate.

ESG Score and Rating and What It Means For Businesses

Circular chart depicting the breakdown of ESG Scoring factors broken out by environmental, social and governance factors — To promote consistency and transparency in ESG reporting, several frameworks and standards have emerged.

ESG scores are determined by third-party firms that have their own methodologies to identify a company’s ESG rating. Currently, this isn’t a streamlined process across the board, and different companies have their own way of determining a company’s ESG rating. The rating help give an overall picture of the company’s performance in these three areas.

Typically, ESG scores are rated from 0 to 100, with anything above 70 classified as a “good” ESG rating, while anything below 50 is considered a “bad” rating. Some systems, however, rely on a letter-based scoring system where a grade of C is the worst, and A is the best.

ESG Goals; Frameworks and Standards

To promote consistency and transparency in ESG reporting, several frameworks and standards have emerged. These include the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Adopting these frameworks helps companies measure and communicate their ESG performance, enabling investors and stakeholders to make informed decisions.

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