Climate technology company uHoo is drawing attention to the critical issue of indoor air quality, warning that polluted environments can harm health, reduce productivity, and increase energy consumption.
According to uHoo, indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and in some cases up to 100 times worse, even as people spend most of their day inside homes, offices, and classrooms.
Poor indoor air quality affects both health and performance, impairing learning in schools and leaving employees fatigued in workplaces due to inadequate ventilation and elevated carbon dioxide levels.
uHoo offers air quality monitoring systems for homes and commercial buildings, measuring 13 environmental indicators and sending real-time data to a mobile application and dashboard.
The platform helps users identify the source of indoor air problems before choosing an appropriate solution, rather than treating the air directly.
One client in Singapore used uHoo's monitoring system after employees complained of odors, inconsistent temperatures, and increasing sick leaves following an office renovation.
The company optimized its air-conditioning and ventilation systems, resulting in a decline in employee complaints, reduced sick leave, and a 30% cut in energy consumption within four months.
uHoo is also helping shape international indoor air quality standards by serving as co-chair and commissioner of the Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air.
Looking ahead, expanding indoor air monitoring could help improve public health, make buildings more energy efficient, and support evidence-based policymaking.
