Top HVAC Considerations for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities

HVAC systems are crucial not only for homes but also for offices, hospitals, and healthcare facilities. Unlike in standard buildings, HVAC systems in hospitals and healthcare facilities do much more than simply maintain a comfortable temperature—they play a vital role in patient safety, infection control, and overall quality of care.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities require precise temperature control, stringent air quality standards, and reliable ventilation to ensure patient safety and comfort. Managing these systems in these conditions can be extremely challenging.

Here are the top HVAC considerations every hospital and healthcare facility must consider to maintain a safe, clean, and efficient indoor environment.

1. Infection Control and Air Filtration

Controlling airborne infections is one of the most important goals in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) design for healthcare facilities. Without proper filtration and airflow management, pathogens can easily spread through airflow.

Key strategies include:

● High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters: Use HEPA filters, which capture 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.

● Directional airflow: Negative pressure rooms are used in isolation rooms to prevent contaminated air from escaping, while positive pressure rooms are used in operating rooms to prevent contaminants from entering.

● Ultraviolet disinfection: Installing germicidal UV lamps in air handling units kills bacteria and viruses before air is circulated.

These measures are crucial for minimizing the airborne transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, influenza, and tuberculosis.

2. Strict Temperature and Humidity Control

Different areas of a hospital require different temperature and humidity settings to ensure patient comfort and prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Area	Temperature (°C / °F)	Relative Humidity
Operating Rooms	18–24°C (64–75°F)	50–60%
Patient Rooms	22–26°C (72–79°F)	40–60%
Laboratories	20–24°C (68–75°F)	30–50%
Pharmacies	20–25°C (68–77°F)	40–55%

Maintaining stable humidity also prevents the spread of pathogens and protects sensitive medical instruments from condensation or static discharge.

3. Zoning and Air Pressure Management

Healthcare facilities rely on precise zoning and air pressure control to ensure safe air distribution. Each area, such as operating rooms, isolation rooms, and waiting areas, must be carefully designed and meet specific airflow and ventilation requirements.

Recommended Practices:

● Isolation and treatment rooms should use negative pressure (to control contaminants).

● Surgical and sterile areas should use positive pressure (to prevent outside air infiltration).

● Administrative or public areas should use neutral pressure.

A properly zoned HVAC system minimizes cross-contamination and maintains air balance throughout the facility.

4. Reliable Ventilation and Fresh Air Supply

Ventilation is crucial for maintaining healthy indoor air in healthcare facilities. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 170, hospitals require high air exchange rates to dilute airborne pollutants.

Key Design Elements:

● Outdoor Air Intake: Introduces sufficient fresh air to reduce pollutant concentrations.

● Exhaust System: Safely and efficiently removes contaminated air.

● Air Change Rate: Operating rooms typically require 20-25 air changes per hour, while patient rooms require 6-12 air changes per hour.

Proper ventilation helps maintain oxygen levels, reduces infection risks, and ensures compliance with healthcare regulations.

5. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Hospitals operate 24/7, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are one of the largest energy consumers, typically accounting for 40-50% of total energy consumption.

However, advanced HVAC technologies can help balance energy savings with patient safety.

Energy-saving strategies include:

● Heat recovery systems: Capture waste heat from exhaust air to preheat incoming fresh air.

● Variable air volume (VAV) systems: Adjust air volume based on room occupancy and activity.

● Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV): Uses sensors to automatically adjust ventilation.

● High-efficiency chillers and heat pumps: Reduce power consumption without compromising reliability.

These solutions can significantly reduce operating costs while supporting a hospital's sustainability goals.

6. Redundancy and Reliability

In healthcare environments, system failure is an absolute no-go. Hospitals must maintain continuous performance of their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, even during power outages or equipment failures.

Reliability Best Practices:

● Redundant Systems (N+1 Design): Ensure backup capacity in the event of a single device failure.

● Emergency Power Integration: Connect the HVAC system to a backup generator.

● Continuous Monitoring: Use smart sensors and a building management system (BMS) for real-time performance tracking.

Reliable HVAC operation is critical in life-critical environments such as intensive care units (ICUs), operating rooms, and pharmacies.

7. Comply with Healthcare Standards

Healthcare HVAC systems must meet stringent international and regional standards, including:

● ASHRAE 170 – Ventilation for Healthcare Facilities

● NFPA 99 – Code for Healthcare Facilities

● ISO 14644 – Standard for Cleanrooms and Controlled Environments

Adherence to these standards ensures patient safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Conclusion

HVAC systems in hospitals and healthcare facilities provide far more than just comfort; they are crucial for infection prevention, patient safety, and operational resilience.

By focusing on air quality, humidity control, pressure zoning, energy efficiency, and redundancy, healthcare facilities can create environments that foster both healing and protection.

Aurashu specializes in providing customized HVAC solutions for healthcare environments, combining advanced air purification technologies, precise control, and sustainable design to meet the highest safety and performance standards.

Ensure a Safer, Healthier Facility with Aurashu

Contact Aurashu HVAC Experts today to learn how we can design and install high-performance HVAC systems for hospitals, clinics, and medical centers.