Problem & solution
Office Air Quality Problems
The same handful of office air quality problems show up over and over. Recognising the pattern is half the diagnosis.
- Stuffy afternoons
- Cold draughts
- Hot perimeters
- Print smells
- Mould spots
- Stale meeting rooms
Recognisable patterns
Stuffy afternoons usually mean CO₂ accumulation. Hot perimeters suggest solar gain plus poor zoning. Stale meeting rooms point to undersized ventilation per occupant. Visible mould implies humidity control or fabric defects.
How to diagnose
Monitor CO₂, PM, TVOC, temperature and humidity for 1–4 weeks across affected zones. Cross-reference with BMS data and meeting-room utilisation.
How to fix
Most office problems are solved through commissioning, BMS retuning, filter upgrades and per-zone rebalancing rather than capital replacement.
Frequently asked questions
- Are open-plan offices worse?
- Not inherently — but meeting-room density often is the bottleneck.
- Should we add CO₂ displays?
- Yes — visible CO₂ readings change occupant behaviour quickly.
- Do we need to refit?
- Rarely — most problems are commissioning, not capital.
Solve office air problems
We'll scope a focused diagnostic assessment.