Every successful project starts with a framework. A vision statement. A blueprint. The editors of Engineered Systems are proud to present The Blueprint — a monthly Q&A interview with HVACR engineering’s leading voices. These one-on-one discussions will examine the trade’s history, current industry trends, the factors shaping the sector’s future, and more. Recently, Scott Huffmaster, healthy spaces sales leader, Americas Commercial HVAC, Trane Technologies, sat down with Herb Woerpel, editor-in-chief of Engineered Systems, to introduce us to Wellsphere, define its influence, and more.

Engineered Systems: Explain to me the process of how Trane and Wellsphere assess and address air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, and acoustics. Does Trane work with HVACR contractors/engineers to complete this process or does Trane handle this work completely in-house?

Huffmaster: Trane can work with customers directly to assess their IEQ and fully execute recommended solutions. We can also support contractors and consulting engineers to know what metrics to evaluate and how they might alter their designs to improve indoor environments.

When assessing the indoor environment in its entirety, we look at how thermal comfort, lighting, IAQ, and acoustics impact the people in the space. Technicians take readings using lighting, humidity, temperature, and CO2 sensors and sound meters to gather science-based data to evaluate the IEQ.

Thermal comfort impacts business value and productivity. Multiple studies over the last 30 years have shown that the more comfortable people are, the more productive they become. Trane’s core competency is creating thermal comfort. We assess whether the temperature and the humidity are suitable for the space and what’s happening in it. Although personal factors, including a person’s metabolic rate and clothing insulation, impact thermal comfort, building owners and designers can manage the environmental factors, including air temperature, air speed, and humidity.

Due to the pandemic, much more focus is being put on IAQ. New technology is now available that can monitor air quality as well as mitigate negative air characteristics. To calculate air quality, we measure particulate matter (PM), total volatile organic compounds (tVOC), or carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide and (CO2). Then, we provide IAQ assessments that focus on four critical areas: dilute, exhaust, contain, and clean.

Lighting technology has made significant advancements, and lighting is now a science. Modern lighting strategies support human well-being and strategic goals, such as reducing energy intensity and costs. To evaluate the impact of lighting, we consider what natural light is available, the existing artificial lighting, and how it impacts the occupants. For instance, if that space has natural daylighting, do you need to reduce the light generation, so it’s not too bright or not too dark?

It only takes moments to notice when an ambient noise level doesn’t feel right for the building. While many factors contribute to indoor sound, HVAC systems may be significant yet manageable contributors. To gauge sound, engineers monitor acoustics throughout the day. Is there noisy equipment that’s causing sound pollution? Or, is it too quiet — so quiet that people can’t focus? Sometimes we add sound to an environment with noise generation and white noise.
Read the entire article on Engineered Systems’ website.