Indoor Air Quality has become the latest HVAC service to be offered as a subscription model, following moves by manufacturers to introduce heating and cooling as a service (HaaS and CaaS).  

Claiming to be the first manufacturer to move into the market, Johnson Controls has launched an IAQ offering for a monthly fee in the US this month, with plans to roll it out in the UK too.

Indoor Air Quality has become a priority for organisations that need to meet health and safety compliance legislation in relation to air quality, with ventilation and monitoring systems widely seen as being at the heart of the solution. The European Heat Pump Association, REHVA and the European Ventilation Industry Association recently called for tougher rules to cover both new and existing buildings with clear targets to improve the health of occupants and drive energy efficiency. You can read more about their campaign in our article HVAC sector calls for stricter building wellness standards.

How does the “as a service” model work?

The “as a service” model is becoming popular with customers because it makes new technology more accessible and affordable to building owners, businesses and developers who want to integrate the latest technology and IoT management systems into their properties.

Heat as a Service, for example, bundles heating systems, servicing, maintenance and energy into one fixed monthly fee. It means customers can upgrade their equipment without a large capital expenditure. Read more about Heat as a Service in our article Why heat as a service could be HVAC’s hot new trend.

HaaS has been largely focused on the domestic market to date. However, Cooling as a Service (CaaS) is being implemented more widely in large public settings such as airports and hospitals. As with heat, cooling functions are supplied on a whole service basis. The purchasing body will agree a fixed monthly fee to include purchasing the ventilation or air conditioning system, plus a service package.

What is different about IAQ as a service?

Whereas HaaS and CaaS are attractive because they allow for budget certainty over servicing and a different financing model when purchasing new equipment, IAQaaS offers a science based package that covers assessment of indoor air quality, risk areas and benchmarking. Rather than being focused on the servicing of heating and cooling systems, it is more about monitoring air quality and meeting recommended safety guidelines for indoor air quality.  

Following an assessment, IAQ sensors and air movement technology are installed to meet each customer’s required outcomes. The technology uses artificial intelligence and IAQ data to monitor trends and inform users about issues with air quality so that steps can be taken to resolve these.

Customers will have access to round-the-clock monitoring of air quality which Johnson Controls insists is important because of the “dynamic nature of all buildings”. Those behind the initiative believe it will be essential for improving safety during virus outbreaks such as Covid-19. They also claim that it will bring benefits in terms of building costs, productivity and revenue opportunities for those operating commercial and public buildings.

You may also be interested in our article Covid sparks demand for air quality expertise in HVAC and building engineering sector.

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