Why Indoor Air Quality in Oman Must Be a Priority for its Buildings

Improving indoor air quality aligns directly with Oman’s broader sustainability objectives.

As Oman continues its transition toward a more sustainable and diversified economy under Oman Vision 2040, the performance of our buildings - and the environments they create - is coming under increasing scrutiny. While energy efficiency and water conservation remain central to this discussion, one critical factor still does not receive the attention it deserves: indoor air quality (IAQ).

In Oman’s climate, indoor environments are not a luxury - they are a necessity. For much of the year, high temperatures, humidity, and airborne dust mean that homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings rely heavily on air-conditioning systems. As a result, Oman’s population spends the vast majority of its time indoors, making the quality of indoor air a direct determinant of health, comfort, and productivity.

The Challenge of Indoor Air Quality in Oman

Traditional building strategies have long assumed that increasing outside air ventilation is the primary solution to improving indoor air quality. In Oman, however, this approach presents significant challenges.

Outside air frequently carries dust, fine particulates, humidity, and environmental pollutants. Introducing large volumes of untreated outside air increases cooling loads, raises energy consumption, and places greater strain on HVAC systems - all while failing to adequately address airborne contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In a country where HVAC systems represent one of the largest contributors to building energy use, relying solely on higher ventilation rates is neither environmentally nor economically sustainable.

A Smarter, Performance-Based Approach to Indoor Air Quality in Oman

Modern international standards now recognise that indoor air quality can be achieved more effectively through contaminant control, rather than simply increasing air volumes. ASHRAE’s Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) allows designers to demonstrate compliance by maintaining safe contaminant concentrations using proven air cleaning and purification technologies.

For Oman, this performance-based approach is particularly relevant. By integrating advanced air purification technologies directly into HVAC systems, buildings can:

• Actively reduce airborne pathogens, particulates, and VOCs

• Maintain healthier indoor environments

• Reduce reliance on high volumes of outside air

• Lower cooling demand and energy consumption

When applied early in the design process, this strategy often allows HVAC systems to be optimised or downsized, offsetting the cost of air purification and delivering healthier buildings at little or no additional capital cost.

Supporting National Sustainability Goals

Improving indoor air quality aligns directly with Oman’s broader sustainability objectives. Healthier indoor environments support workforce productivity, reduce absenteeism, and enhance occupant well-being - all critical components of long-term economic resilience.

At the same time, reducing HVAC energy demand contributes to lower carbon emissions and operational costs, supporting national goals for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Designing for the Future of Omani Buildings

The next generation of buildings in Oman - from government facilities and commercial developments to hospitality, healthcare, and education - must be designed with people at the centre. Clean indoor air is no longer an optional feature or post-construction add-on; it is a core component of resilient, high-performance buildings.

By embracing performance-based IAQ design, smart air purification, and continuous monitoring. Improving indoor air quality in Oman presents the opportunity for Oman to lead the region in delivering buildings that are not only energy-efficient, but genuinely healthy.

In Oman’s climate, the smartest buildings are those that manage the air inside as carefully as the energy they consume.