Table des matières
- The core credit exceeds the minimum outdoor-air rate in ASHRAE 62.1: Option Requirement Points (Cert / Core) Increased air supply Exceed ASHRAE 62.1 by 30% 1 / 2 Increased air supply Exceed ASHRAE 62.1 by 60% 2 / 3 Demand-control ventilation CO2 < 900 ppm (or outdoor +500) 1 / 2 Demand-control ventilation CO2 < 750 ppm (or outdoor +350) 2 / 3 More outdoor air means more recoverable energy — so a membrane ERV or wheel is what keeps the higher ventilation rate affordable.
- A03 / A05 (Air Concept): fundamental and enhanced IAQ, including minimum ventilation and source control. A09 / A12: particulate filtration — MERV 13 or better on ventilation systems, with pressure-drop monitoring so filters are changed before they choke the fan. A08: continuous monitoring and annual reporting to maintain certification. A13: enhanced supply air, e.g. activated-carbon filtration for VOCs.
- WELL treats CO2 as a stand-in for cumulative indoor pollutants because it is cheap to sense. Holding CO2 below 900 ppm (or 750 ppm for the higher point) signals adequate dilution. But more air is not free — pair the credit with recovery and DCV so the energy penalty stays small, the same logic used for LEED energy-recovery credits.
- WELL's higher ventilation rates make the recovery device even more valuable than under energy code minimums. Size the core in the AHU selection calculation on the WELL ventilation rate, not the bare code minimum, to capture both the health and energy wins.
The WELL Building Standard v2 (IWBI) is a performance standard for occupant health, and ventilation is one of its strongest levers. Where energy codes set a floor for “acceptable” air, WELL rewards going well beyond it. This article covers the Air Concept features most relevant to recovery and ventilation design.
The core credit exceeds the minimum outdoor-air rate in ASHRAE 62.1:
| Option | Requirement | Points (Cert / Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Increased air supply | Exceed ASHRAE 62.1 by 30% | 1 / 2 |
| Increased air supply | Exceed ASHRAE 62.1 by 60% | 2 / 3 |
| Demand-control ventilation | CO2 < 900 ppm (or outdoor +500) | 1 / 2 |
| Demand-control ventilation | CO2 < 750 ppm (or outdoor +350) | 2 / 3 |
More outdoor air means more recoverable energy — so a membrane ERV or wheel is what keeps the higher ventilation rate affordable.
- A03 / A05 (Air Concept): fundamental and enhanced IAQ, including minimum ventilation and source control.
- A09 / A12: particulate filtration — MERV 13 or better on ventilation systems, with pressure-drop monitoring so filters are changed before they choke the fan.
- A08: continuous monitoring and annual reporting to maintain certification.
- A13: enhanced supply air, e.g. activated-carbon filtration for VOCs.
WELL treats CO2 as a stand-in for cumulative indoor pollutants because it is cheap to sense. Holding CO2 below 900 ppm (or 750 ppm for the higher point) signals adequate dilution. But more air is not free — pair the credit with recovery and DCV so the energy penalty stays small, the same logic used for LEED energy-recovery credits.
WELL's higher ventilation rates make the recovery device even more valuable than under energy code minimums. Size the core in the AHU selection calculation on the WELL ventilation rate, not the bare code minimum, to capture both the health and energy wins.