October is recognized as National Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Awareness Month. For those managing buildings, from HVAC contractors to facility managers, it is a reminder that air quality is no longer a “back-of-house” issue. Clean air should already be the standard, and the real difference comes from making that standard visible, so occupants trust the environment you provide. 

The Invisible Problem That Is Costing Trust 

Facility teams know that air quality issues are often invisible. Without clear visibility, uncertainty creeps in. People cannot see the air they breathe, and without data to reassure them, they may start to question its quality. 

The latest Fellowes IAQ survey makes this clear: 78% of employees believe it is important their employer share IAQ information, yet only 52% describe their workplace air as “very clean.” That gap may sometimes reflect performance issues, but most often it comes down to a lack of visibility for occupants. Even a well-managed environment can feel uncertain without evidence to support it. 

Real-time monitoring transforms invisible data into visible confidence. It shows people that the environment is being managed, even when they cannot see the work happening behind the scenes. Workers told us they want access to real-time IAQ data (50%), visible use of monitors (44%), and purification units (34%). 

What Happens When You Make IAQ Visible? 

You reduce concern 
Nearly 40% of U.S. respondents said they would consider leaving their employer due to poor air quality. Imagine an employee stepping into a busy conference room and seeing a display confirming that CO₂ levels are under control. That quick glance can stop a lingering concern before it becomes doubt. 

You create confidence in air quality 
Visible data validates the quality of the air itself. Picture a wall-mounted display in a school hallway showing consistently low particulate levels. Teachers and parents do not need to wonder if the air is safe — they can see that it is. 

You influence behavior 
When someone sees a dashboard showing poor air quality due to crowding in a small space, they will often adjust on their own — opening a window, spreading out, or limiting time in that area. A simple visual cue helps people take actions that support the larger system. 

You strengthen loyalty 
68% of employees believe employers, not landlords or government agencies, are responsible for ensuring clean indoor air. Imagine a job candidate walking through your office and spotting a live IAQ dashboard in the lobby. That moment of transparency signals that the organization prioritizes health and safety, which can influence their decision to stay or join. 

Download the “4 Ways IAQ Visibility Builds Trust” guide to share with your team. 

Not All IAQ Displays Are Created Equal 

Different spaces call for different solutions. You can match the right display to the way your building operates: 

• On-Unit Displays – Built into the purifier; ideal for conference rooms or classrooms where occupants want reassurance. 

• Tabletop Displays – Portable and visible at key touchpoints such as reception desks or nurse’s stations. 

• Wall-Mounted Displays – Permanently visible in high-traffic areas like conference rooms, hallways or gyms. 

• Community Dashboards – Cloud-based dashboards that show big-picture insights. With Viewpoint Plus, you can unlock Viewpoint Forum, an exclusive community dashboard that lets you broadcast real-time IAQ data on shared screens in lobbies, cafeterias, or co-working spaces. It makes performance visible at scale and keeps everyone informed. 

Take the Guesswork Out of Trust 

When it comes to IAQ, silence creates doubt. Visibility creates confidence. An effective IAQ strategy should not stop at delivering clean air. It should also include clear ways to show people that clean air is being provided for them. 

At Fellowes, we help you build that system. By combining monitoring, purification, and displays, we create a complete solution that makes your air quality visible, verifiable, and trusted. 

Start with a complimentary air quality assessment. From there, we will guide you toward the right solutions for your building, helping you assess your air, display your progress, and build the trust that keeps people coming back. 

Let us make your building one that people feel good walking into and want to stay in. 

Curious what an assessment looks like in action? 

Read the Brucker case study to see how one team quickly uncovered issues and built lasting confidence in their air.