IAQ Tax Credits May Come Sooner Than You Think

Business owners and facilities managers have concerns about maintaining and upgrading their HVAC systems. They recognize the many benefits proper IAQ provides to employees such as improved health and limiting the spread of viruses. That said, they also worry about the impact these upgrades and repairs have on operating costs. However, the truth is that improving the efficiency of ventilation systems lowers operating costs as it improves IAQ. This alone should give stakeholders a reason to make changes, but another way to ease the financial pain is through federal tax incentives. This is what Representative Don Beyer (D-Virginia) proposed to Congress in June. Rep. Beyer’s Airborne Act legislation offers IAQ tax credits to any commercial building owner who addresses IAQ through assessments and upgrades to their HVAC systems.  

IAQ Tax Credits

As an IAQ firm in business since 1984, Pure Air Control understands the many cost benefits related to improving indoor air quality. For starters, a more efficient system provides cleaner air to building occupants. A clean system also costs less to operate. Repair and replacement costs are lower too. Better IAQ leads to fewer missed days of work for employees, higher morale, and increased productivity. It also leads to higher cognitive functioning in students which improves test scores. As important as the IAQ tax credits are for lowering energy and operating costs, improving HVAC performance lowers the risk of the spread of viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19. 

By incentivizing upgrades in commercial buildings, IAQ tax credits would ease the burden of conducting assessments and performing upgrades to HVAC systems. For example, if the Airborne Act passes, commercial building owners would receive an IAQ tax credit of one dollar per square foot for IAQ assessments and five dollars per square foot for buildings affected by air filters. An additional 50 dollars per square foot is available for ventilation systems with the limit set at 50 percent of the total project cost. These IAQ tax credits should motivate owners to ensure their systems meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019 which sets the minimum ventilation requirements for commercial and institutional buildings. 

Using the IAQ Tax Credits for Upgrades 

Using the IAQ tax credits proposed in the Airborne Act gives building owners a chance to improve their HVAC systems. This starts with an inspection and assessment of the system’s performance. Cleaning, disinfecting, and restoration also improve efficiency thus improving indoor air quality as well. Additionally, IAQ monitoring ensures that indoor conditions remain stable. This prevents the growth of mold and bacteria and limits the spread of viruses.

Several services are available to commercial building owners to improve IAQ. These include:

Building Health Check

Improving indoor conditions with IAQ tax credits starts with a Building Health Check. This assessment screens for allergens and logs data on biological conditions within the building. This includes temperature and humidity logging, contaminant source and risk assessment, and wall and floor moisture testing. Once completed, a detailed report gives facilities managers the information needed for improvements, upgrades, and repairs.

HVAC New Life

An HVAC restoration service like the New Life system uses several methods and systems to clean, disinfect, and protect components. For example, PURE-Steam uses high-temperature steam to dislodge dirt and debris which is removed with a powerful vacuum. PURE-Decon destroys pathogens with EPA-certified electrostatic DEP sprayers that disinfect the system. The application of PURE-Coat halts microbial growth and corrosion and prolongs the lifespan of the equipment. Further protection comes with PURE-Coil and PURE-Liner which protect the evaporator coil and drain respectively.

IAQ Guard 2.0

Once improvements are made with the help of IAQ tax credits, monitoring ensures indoor air quality remains safe. Smart monitoring, like IAQ Guard 2.0, does this using AI swarm technology and smart sensors that track temperature, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC),  relative humidity, and particulate matter.

The Best Use of IAQ Tax Credits

Taking advantage of the proposed IAQ tax credits legislation gives commercial building owners the financial incentive they need to improve their ventilation systems. Doing so is an investment in human capital as cleaner air means healthier and happier employees. To learn more, call 1-800-422-7873 or email us here.