What 2025 facility teams need to know about air quality, ventilation, and the new baseline for building health
The pandemic may be “over,” but its impact on how we build, manage, and maintain commercial facilities is permanent. From updated ventilation guidelines to rising expectations around indoor air quality (IAQ), COVID-19 forced an industry-wide reckoning, and your building’s systems are now part of the conversation around public health.
The Real Cost of Bad Air
Long before COVID-19, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) were a costly and persistent problem, racking up an estimated $28 to $45 billion annually in the U.S. alone. The tools to reduce these risks existed. High-efficiency filters, properly pressurized spaces, and continuous indoor air quality monitoring were all well-established best practices. But in too many cases, they were underutilized, underfunded, or simply overlooked.
Then came COVID-19, and with it, a harsh spotlight on just how vulnerable our healthcare environments, and countless other buildings, really were. What had once been seen as optional or secondary suddenly became essential. The virus didn’t introduce the problem, but it exposed the cost of ignoring it.
The lesson was clear. Clean air isn’t a luxury or a line item to be trimmed. It’s a critical layer of protection, one we can no longer afford to underestimate.
As a leader in HVAC, engineering, and air quality solutions, Ketchum & Walton helps facility owners and managers make sense of these changes and plan for the future.
What Changed? Why It Still Matters
COVID-19 turned airflow into a frontline defense. In response, organizations like ASHRAE and the CDC redefined what counts as a “safe” indoor environment. Their updated guidance emphasized that airborne transmission of viruses must be addressed by building systems, not just hand sanitizer and social distancing.
Prior to the pandemic, many commercial facilities operated with minimal ventilation oversight. Now, ventilation and air quality are critical benchmarks for operational health. These standards haven’t faded, they’ve become foundational.
Key changes still relevant in 2025:
- ASHRAE Standard 241: This landmark standard formalizes minimum requirements to reduce airborne infectious aerosol exposure. It includes performance targets for Equivalent Clean Airflow and establishes a framework for Infection Risk Management Modes (IRMM). Buildings must be prepared to switch into higher protection modes when infection risks increase.
- Higher MERV Standards: The recommendation to use filters rated MERV 13 or higher is now the norm for most commercial buildings. These filters capture smaller particles, including aerosols that can carry viruses, offering significantly better protection than the MERV 8 filters commonly used before 2020.
- Greater Emphasis on Air Changes per Hour (ACH): ASHRAE and the CDC now promote higher ACH values, especially in high-occupancy or high-risk spaces like healthcare facilities, classrooms, and open offices. Increased air exchange dilutes contaminants, improving air quality and reducing transmission risk.
These changes aren’t just for pandemic preparedness. They’re part of a broader shift toward healthier, smarter, and more resilient buildings.
If your system hasn’t been evaluated since 2020, it likely needs upgrades to meet the new baseline and stay competitive in today’s facility landscape.
What Facilities Teams Should Be Doing Now
At Ketchum & Walton, we’re seeing clients reassess everything from filter selection to occupant communication. Here’s what matters most:
1. Audit Your Ventilation System
We recommend starting with a site evaluation. Our team assesses airflow rates, filtration capabilities, and control systems and helps you determine where quick retrofits can make a big impact.
Modern systems are often capable of more than they’re delivering. Simple tweaks to increase outdoor air intake or adjust economizer settings can improve IAQ dramatically with minimal disruption.
2. Upgrade Your Filtration
We provide filter retrofits designed to meet or exceed MERV 13, without overloading your system. Our team will also review static pressure and airflow to ensure upgrades don’t backfire.
In many older buildings, systems weren’t designed for higher-efficiency filters. That doesn’t mean upgrades are impossible, it just means they need to be smart and engineered.
3. Modernize Your Controls
Ventilation controls used to be “set it and forget it.” Now, smart controls, CO₂ monitoring, and demand-controlled ventilation are the gold standard. These systems automatically adjust ventilation based on occupancy, improving efficiency and comfort.
We help clients install, integrate, and maintain these systems so they work for the long haul, not just on paper.
4. Communicate IAQ to Occupants
We help clients implement real-time air quality displays and digital signage tools that reassure tenants and show your facility’s commitment to health and safety.
Even something as simple as a lobby screen showing humidity, temperature, and air quality metrics can dramatically increase occupant trust and satisfaction.
Beyond HVAC: Building Health Is a System
Improving air quality doesn’t just happen at the duct level. Ketchum & Walton takes a whole-building approach:
- Noise control engineering ensures that increased airflow doesn’t mean increased distractions.
- Humidity and condensation management keeps IAQ improvements from creating moisture-related risks.
- Custom engineering solutions integrate IAQ upgrades with energy efficiency goals, instead of working against them.
For example, if you increase ventilation without accounting for humidity, you may solve one problem while creating another. Our team ensures balance across systems.
The ROI of Clean Air: How IAQ Impacts Your Bottom Line
Yes, cleaner air reduces liability and supports public health. But it also gives your building a competitive edge:
- Improved tenant satisfaction and lease renewals
- Healthier workforces and fewer complaints
- Greater confidence from building inspectors and local officials
This is especially true in markets like healthcare, education, and government buildings, where environmental standards are under increased scrutiny.
In 2025, IAQ is no longer a temporary concern. It’s a core pillar of how we evaluate building performance.
How Ketchum & Walton Can Help
From technical assessments to full system upgrades, we work with property managers, architects, and engineers to make buildings smarter, healthier, and easier to maintain. Our services include:
- HVAC design & retrofits
- Noise mitigation strategies
- Control system upgrades
- Manufacturer representation and procurement
- Ongoing system maintenance
Contact our team to schedule a walkthrough or consultation.