The Air We Breathe: How Indoor Air Quality Will Make or Break Property Values
by Adrian Fulle
The integration of climate risk ratings into real estate listings on Zillow will soon provide a detailed outlook on how environmental factors might affect properties. These ratings include risks from wildfires, extreme heat, flooding, wind, and air quality. For example, one Albuquerque listing predicts a 200% increase in 95+ degree days over the next 30 years, underscoring how climate change will reshape real estate. This data, sourced from First Street, will appear on Zillow’s site and app this year and will likely extend to commercial properties, impacting schools, offices, and more.
Take schools, for instance: improving indoor air quality (IAQ) is already known to enhance student and teacher performance, reduce absenteeism, and improve the overall indoor experience. Over time, this focus on IAQ will also become a key factor in assessing property value and financial outcomes for educational institutions. Healthier indoor environments translate to better learning conditions and financial savings, highlighting why it makes financial sense for all property owners to act now.
The Harvard Healthy Buildings Program, directed by Joseph Allen, has provided clear evidence on how shifting the focus to healthier indoor spaces can yield substantial ROI. Allen, co-author of “Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity,” emphasizes that buildings can directly affect health—ranging from headaches and concentration issues to severe illness. He argues that healthier buildings not only improve well-being but also make sound economic sense. By prioritizing healthier environments, properties—whether homes, schools, or commercial spaces—can secure financial and wellness benefits, making proactive indoor air quality improvements an essential investment.
Climate Risk and Property Value: The Critical Role of Facility Managers
Climate risk ratings are expanding the definition of property value beyond just aesthetics and physical upkeep. Now, the health of indoor spaces is becoming a key part of that value. Facility Managers, Directors, and property management professionals stand at the forefront of this shift. It’s no longer enough to keep a building clean and in good repair—the focus now is on creating healthy indoor environments.
This shift represents a pivotal moment in the career of facility professionals. As they will be seen as the key responsible parties for maintaining indoor air quality (IAQ), their role will become more integral to the property’s financial success and health outcomes. Facility Managers should have a critical seat at the decision-making table, advising property owners and executives on IAQ best practices and solutions.
To step into this role effectively, these professionals will need to stay informed about the latest technologies for measuring IAQ, such as smart sensors and monitoring systems that provide actionable insights. They will need to implement proper remediation strategies, from optimizing HVAC systems to adopting eco-friendly products. In some cases, further education might be necessary, with courses on chemistry, air quality, HVAC systems, and emerging technologies to ensure that they are equipped to manage IAQ effectively.
By taking on this expanded responsibility, Facility Managers will play a critical role in not only keeping occupants safe and healthy but also enhancing the value and sustainability of properties in an increasingly climate-conscious world.
Indoor Air Quality as a Differentiator for All Properties
Climate risk ratings offer a big-picture view of environmental factors affecting a property’s surroundings. While these ratings are essential, they often overlook the steps property owners can take to protect and improve their indoor environments. Enhancing indoor air quality not only addresses potential health issues and comfort but also offers a strategic financial advantage. Properties with better indoor air quality, whether homes or offices, become more attractive to buyers, tenants, and even employees.
The return-to-office (RTO) trend is accelerating, with major employers like Amazon, Dell, Microsoft, Apple, Citibank, and Goldman Sachs mandating that employees return to the office five days a week. As this shift unfolds, more people will occupy commercial buildings daily, elevating the importance of indoor air quality. With a larger number of occupants comes greater responsibility for ensuring that the indoor environment is not just clean, but also healthy. The quality of the air within these spaces directly impacts employee well-being, productivity, and overall organizational health.
Facility Managers, property owners, and decision-makers will play a vital role in ensuring these spaces are optimized for health, emphasizing the need for clean indoor environments that support the RTO movement safely and responsibly. Indoor air quality will become a key differentiator as employees spend more time in shared workspaces, and its impact on health and well-being cannot be overstated.
Steps to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Any Property
Commercial property owners and residential homeowners can take similar steps to improve air quality:
- Air-Purifying and Disinfecting Products: Employ products that promote healthier air without adding toxins or pollutants. For both homes and workplaces, eco-friendly cleaning and disinfecting solutions can be a game-changer.
- Healthy Building Practices: Adopting cleaning, maintenance, and ventilation strategies that contribute to long-term indoor air quality is essential. Sustainable practices ensure that occupants can breathe clean air in both residential and commercial spaces.
- Upgrading Ventilation Systems: Regular maintenance and upgrades to HVAC systems in both commercial and residential buildings can vastly improve indoor air quality. Proper filtration helps keep indoor spaces free from dust, pollutants, and allergens.
Conclusion: Clean Air, Better Value
With climate risk assessments becoming a standard part of property valuation and the growing return-to-office trend, the need to prioritize indoor air quality has never been more urgent. Facility Managers and property professionals now have a unique opportunity to lead the charge in creating healthier indoor spaces, impacting property values, and enhancing occupant well-being. By staying updated on technologies and best practices for air quality, they will become key drivers of property value, sustainability, and safety. Healthy indoor environments are not just a moral imperative—they’re a strategic advantage for all property types.
