By David J Glover PhD, Technical Director
Part 2: Sustaining Clean Air — Maintenance, Collaboration, and Long-Term Performance
This is the second of two articles based on a talk at a joint CIBSE and ASHRAE event on Developments in Indoor Air Quality for Health, Wellbeing and Productivity in Low Carbon and Net Zero Buildings.
This article focusses on turning clean air principles into lasting performance through maintenance, teamwork, and ongoing monitoring.
The first article covers the principles and technologies behind IAQ improvement based on a data- and experience-led look at how clean air systems are designed, measured, and implemented.
Maintenance Mindset – fit and forget at your peril
Whatever technology is specified or installed, maintenance is non-negotiable. The best-designed ventilation or air cleaning system will only perform as intended if it’s regularly inspected, cleaned, and verified.
As highlighted in CIBSE Journal (2020), around 75% of HVAC systems fail to deliver their designed performance, and poor maintenance is often the main reason. At the time of writing (October 2025) I ponder whether this has improved in the intervening 5 years.
But one thing is for sure – filters clog, sensors drift, UV lamps degrade, and coils accumulate dust and biofilms — all of which reduce system efficiency, increase energy use, and compromise indoor air quality. All of which moves us further away from Net Zero.
A neglected system doesn’t just waste energy; it undermines the very purpose of the installation. Airflow rates fall, temperature control drifts, and the effectiveness of filtration and disinfection technologies declines. Over time, this can lead to higher running costs, occupant discomfort, and potential health risks.
A robust maintenance regime should include:
A robust maintenance regime should include:
- Routine inspections following TR19 Air or equivalent standards
- Filter checks and replacements based on pressure drop, not just time intervals
- Cleaning and verification of coils, ductwork, and diffusers
- Performance validation of UVGI, ionisation, and other air cleaning technologies to confirm they’re still operating within design parameters
Regular maintenance also provides an opportunity to collect trend data, identify performance drift early, and plan upgrades proactively rather than reactively.
Ultimately, the principle is simple:
Maintain it — or regret it.
A maintenance mindset turns one-off installations into long-term, high-performing systems that continue to deliver clean air, lower energy consumption, and compliance with health and sustainability targets.
2. Collaboration is Key
Delivering clean, healthy, and low-carbon indoor air is never a solo effort. Success depends on an integrated approach that combines technical expertise, operational insight, and coordinated action across all stakeholders.
Key elements include:
- Practical understanding of retrofit constraints – Every building is unique, and existing systems often impose physical and operational limits on what can be installed or upgraded. A thorough understanding of these constraints is essential to designing solutions that are both effective and feasible.
- Reliable, continuous monitoring – Data-driven insights allow teams to identify inefficiencies, track air quality, and verify that interventions are working as intended. Monitoring provides transparency and confidence for all parties involved.
- Correctly selected cleaning technologies – There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Selecting the right combination of in-duct and in-room technologies requires a deep understanding of the building’s airflow patterns, occupancy, and pollutant sources.
- A robust maintenance regime – Even the best systems fail without regular inspection, cleaning, and verification. Maintenance ensures performance, reduces energy waste, and protects occupant health.
- Collaboration between consultants, contractors, and clients – Clear communication, shared objectives, and coordinated action are critical. From specifying technologies to installing systems and implementing ongoing monitoring, collaboration ensures that each component works as part of a cohesive, high-performing system.
Only through this integrated, multidisciplinary approach can we deliver:
- Healthier indoor environments for building occupants.
- Energy-efficient, sustainable systems that minimise running costs.
- Measurable progress toward net-zero carbon targets.
At Plasma Clean Air, we see collaboration as the cornerstone of effective indoor air quality strategies. By bringing together knowledge, technology, and operational expertise, it’s possible to transform spaces into safer, more comfortable, and more sustainable environments.
Building a Holistic Approach to Clean Air
Creating healthier, low-carbon indoor environments requires more than selecting the latest air cleaning technology. As we’ve explored, effective indoor air quality management is a holistic process — one that combines inspection, monitoring, tailored technology, maintenance, and collaboration.
From our early experience in challenging commercial kitchen environments to complex office and commercial spaces today, the lessons are clear:
- Understand the environment first – Conduct thorough inspections, TR19 Air audits, and duct leakage tests to establish a reliable baseline. Without understanding existing conditions, even the most sophisticated technologies will underperform.
- Measure before you act – Continuous air quality monitoring is the foundation for meaningful interventions. It provides actionable data on ventilation efficiency, infection risk, and environmental conditions that affect wellbeing.
- Select the right technologies for the space – In-duct solutions such as UVGI, bipolar ionisation, and advanced filtration, combined with in-room systems like upper-room UV or portable air cleaners, must be chosen based on airflow, occupancy, and maintenance capabilities.
- Adopt a maintenance-first mindset – Systems only perform as intended if they are regularly inspected, cleaned, and validated. Neglect leads to energy waste, reduced air quality, and compromised health outcomes.
- Collaborate across disciplines – Consultants, contractors, and clients must work together to overcome retrofit constraints, implement solutions effectively, and maintain performance over time.
By integrating these principles, building owners and operators can achieve healthier, more comfortable spaces, energy-efficient operations, and measurable progress toward net-zero goals.
The bottom line is simple: delivering clean air is not about a single technology or quick fix. It’s about taking a systematic, data-driven, and collaborative approach — understanding your building, applying the right tools, and maintaining them over time.
At Plasma Clean Air, our experience shows that when this approach is followed, the results are tangible: improved air quality, reduced infection risk, lower energy costs, and environments where people can thrive.
Clean air is achievable — but only when every aspect, from inspection to monitoring, technology, maintenance, and collaboration, is considered and executed with care.
Find out more…
Plasma Clean Air partners with M&E consultants, contractors, and facilities teams to improve indoor air quality through a combination of cleaning, monitoring, filtration, and advanced disinfection technologies.
To learn more about our solutions for IAQ improvement, ventilation hygiene, and retrofit support, contact our technical team today.
