February 27, 2025 • Ella Krygiel, BOMA International
As buildings increasingly prioritize sustainability, strategies like retrofitting, smart cloud solutions and targeted equipment installations are gaining traction for reducing energy costs. Among these trends are the growth of air-sealing technologies, which are being deployed across buildings nationwide. Air-sealing technologies are relatively simple but highly effective solutions that seal the gaps in a building’s structure where air may leak, such as in walls, windows or aging caulking, The Washington Post states. However, even the smallest fixes in sealing in your home or building can result in energy savings of 5 to 20 percent according to the Energy Department. This is significant, especially as we consider the impact of deploying this technology to healthcare facilities, which can stop the spread of germs and contaminants while reducing the rate of hospital-acquired infections. In this exclusive discussion, Guy Colglazier, VP & GM of Aeroseal’s Commercial Division, provides insights into the role of air-sealing technologies in transforming healthcare facilities, improving patient safety and generating long-term economic benefits.
- In the context of the Aeroseal implementation at Nemours Children’s Clinic, what specific outcomes did you observe regarding the reduction of hospital-acquired infections, and how can these findings inform policy decisions in commercial real estate, particularly for healthcare facilities?
Aeroseal’s implementation at Nemours Children’s Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, successfully reduced air duct leakage by 85%. This improved the facility’s HVAC performance and airflow. Improving ventilation and controlling airflow can help prevent the spread of contaminants, allergens, and airborne pathogens, which pose significant risks to immunocompromised patients.
- As a leader in policy for air-sealing technology, how do you see current building codes and standards evolving to incorporate air-sealing solutions, especially in healthcare settings? What role do you believe commercial real estate stakeholders should play in this evolution?
As leaky ducts are the leading cause of energy waste in buildings, sealing commercial facilities presents an opportunity to significantly reduce the sector’s carbon emissions. Commercial real estate stakeholders have a critical role in advancing the adoption of climate technology, especially as the majority of U.S. buildings were constructed before carbon reduction and energy efficiency were industry priorities. Retrofitting existing buildings presents one of the largest opportunities to cut emissions, with about 80% of today’s buildings projected to remain in use by 2050. By proactively implementing technologies like Aeroseal, stakeholders in the healthcare market and beyond can achieve key sustainability goals, while keeping pace with evolving standards and policies and contributing to more resilient building infrastructure.
- Can you discuss the economic implications of investing in air-sealing technologies for healthcare facilities? How did the case study at Nemours demonstrate a return on investment that commercial real estate developers should consider when designing or retrofitting buildings?
The work Aeroseal completed at Nemours demonstrates the solution’s clear return on investment: Aeroseal optimized HVAC performance, reducing long-term maintenance needs, replacement costs, and monthly utility bills. Optimized airflow enhanced indoor air quality, protecting occupants from hospital-acquired infections while lowering carbon emissions and aligning the facility with looming building standards and regulations.
- What challenges have you encountered in advocating for air-sealing technology adoption in healthcare, and how did the successes at Nemours Children’s Clinic help address these challenges? How can this experience guide commercial real estate professionals in overcoming similar hurdles?
The primary challenge we’ve faced in advocating for the adoption of air-sealing technology is the lack of awareness and education surrounding the significant negative impacts of leaky ducts. Studies have indicated that duct leakage can account for up to 30% of energy waste in buildings, leading to increased operational costs and compromised indoor air quality — which can adversely affect patient health. Unfortunately, many stakeholders across the healthcare sector remain unaware of these issues, making it essential to prioritize educational initiatives. Moreover, skepticism regarding upfront costs and uncertainties about the return on investment (ROI) can further hinder adoption. To overcome these hurdles and advance industry-wide adoption, it is important for utilities, climate tech innovators, and policymakers to collaborate on programs that make air-sealing solutions more affordable and help communicate the economic, wellness, and environmental benefits to diverse stakeholders. Establishing new partnerships with local and state governments to encourage the adoption of these technologies, paired with existing incentive programs, can facilitate quicker and broader implementation of these technologies.
- Looking ahead, what emerging trends in air-sealing technology do you foresee having the most significant impact on healthcare environments? How should commercial real estate leaders prepare to adapt their strategies to align with these innovations?
The growing role of data in climate technologies is imperative for enhancing the effectiveness of these solutions and ensuring ongoing compliance with policies and regulations. Aeroseal proactively addresses this need with real-time tracking throughout the sealing process and comprehensive before-and-after performance reports that verify the results and ensure an immediate impact on energy efficiency and indoor air quality. Many commercial real estate leaders are assessing the path to decarbonization for their facilities and developing plans to implement energy savings measures over time. I recommend continued re-assessment of climate technologies that can have immediate impacts and help commercial real estate owners comply with changing federal and local policies; rather than reacting to evolving code and standard updates, now is the time for stakeholders to proactively incorporate air-sealing solutions into their decarbonization and indoor air quality strategies. This approach not only supports the achievement of key net zero and efficiency goals but also enhances long-term investment value and ensures a safer, healthier environment for all building occupants.
Interested in more content like this? Read our recent articles, What to Expect in Healthcare Real Estate for 2025 or 2025 Trends: Communication and Care in Medical Office Spaces. You can view all this content and more when you click here to sign up for our Medical newsletter!