Commercial ventilation design hasn’t evolved as fast as it needs to. You’re under pressure to hit energy goals, support ESG initiatives, and create healthier indoor spaces, all while navigating tight budgets and aging HVAC infrastructure. 

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC systems account for roughly 46% of total energy use in a commercial building. If you’re looking to make a real dent in energy consumption, improving how your HVAC system operates isn’t optional, it’s the best place to start.  

Here’s the good news you don’t have to over ventilate just to meet indoor air quality (IAQ) standards anymore. 

There’s another way. It’s called the Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP), and it’s already changing how high-performance buildings are being designed and operated. 

The Problem with the Old Way 

Most commercial ventilation designs default to ASHRAE Standard 62.1’s Ventilation Rate Procedure (VRP), a prescriptive approach based on space type and occupancy. VRP is effective in many applications and has long been the industry standard. However, it is built around consistent outdoor air quality and fixed ventilation rates. ASHRAE 62.1 also provides an alternative path: the Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP). 

While IAQP has been part of ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for decades, advances in sensing, air cleaning technology and system controls have made it far more practical to implement today. Updates in the 2022 edition added clearer guidance and validation requirements, reducing complexity, and increasing confidence for design teams.  

Despite being part of the standard for decades, IAQP remains underused—often due to outdated habits or lack of awareness. This presents a major opportunity for forward-thinking teams to lead with smarter, more efficient strategies. 

So, if you’re still defaulting to VRP out of habit, it’s worth asking: 

Is that approach actually serving your building or just draining your budget? 

How IAQP Works 

Instead of using fixed air exchange rates based on space type and occupancy, IAQP takes a performance-based approach: 

“How clean is the air, really?” 
Not “How much air are we throwing at the problem?” 

VRP relies on dilution. IAQP introduces measured source control through air cleaning, reducing the need to rely on outdoor air alone. 

 
Here’s how IAQP works in four clear steps: 

1. Identify pollutants: Understand which contaminants (e.g., CO₂, VOCs, PM2.5) are present in your space. 

2. Set target concentrations: Define acceptable levels based on health and performance standards. 

3. Design purification strategy: Use air cleaning technologies to meet those targets. 

4. Validate performance: Ensure the system maintains air quality within the defined limits. 

IAQP does not eliminate ventilation. It optimizes it, accounting for the fact that purification manages contaminants at the source while ventilation continues to support oxygen and pressure requirements. 

What IAQP Actually Looks Like in the Field 

IAQP is especially impactful in schools, healthcare facilities, commercial buildings, and retrofits, where air quality and energy efficiency are critical.  

IAQP starts by asking the right questions: 

• What pollutants are actually present in your space? (CO₂, VOCs, PM2.5?) It’s not just about comfort. It’s about performance. Studies have shown that a 400 ppm rise in CO₂ levels correlates to a 21% decrease in cognitive function scores. That means even modest changes in air quality can have a real impact on how people think, focus, and perform in your building. 

• What are the acceptable levels for those contaminants? 

• Can we hit those targets through smarter purification, not just more outside air? 

That’s where Fellowes comes in.  

With Array® Signal sensors, you get real-time data on key air quality metrics. And with our Array purification units featuring patented EnviroSmart+™, you add targeted air cleaning and coordination between units that automatically adjusts to actual room conditions and occupancy. That means you’re making decisions based on real-time activity and data, not making guesses. 

Let’s bring this back to what really matters on your job site or in your building portfolio: 

 

Lead the Conversation Instead of Catching Up 

IAQP isn’t just about checking a box. It’s about building smarter from the start and solving your client’s biggest frustrations: wasted energy, poor occupant experience, and compliance complexity. 

Ready to See What’s Possible? 

Start with talking with one of our experts on how IAQP can cut energy use by up to 30% without compromising health. 

Smarter ventilation starts here.