Charlotte, NC, February 13, 2026
A Charlotte-based company, GPS Air, has introduced the smartIAQ® GridSet™, an innovative system designed to reduce HVAC operating expenses while enhancing indoor air quality. This advanced technology allows businesses to efficiently lower energy consumption by cleaning air directly within occupied spaces. Its flexibility and proven effectiveness, rooted in patented Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI®) technology, set a new standard for healthier environments in commercial settings across Charlotte, emphasizing the entrepreneurial spirit of the region.
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Innovator Cuts HVAC Costs, Boosts Air Quality
A Charlotte-based company is leading the way in indoor air quality solutions, offering a new system designed to help businesses significantly reduce operating expenses while providing healthier environments. This innovation underscores the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit thriving within North Carolina, where local ingenuity is driving economic growth and offering practical benefits for enterprises of all sizes.
The commitment of local entrepreneurs to tackle complex challenges, like managing energy costs and ensuring public health in commercial spaces, reflects a determined focus on progress. Such advancements not only enhance operational efficiency for businesses but also contribute to the overall economic well-being of the Charlotte community, demonstrating how private sector innovation can lead to widespread positive impacts.
Introducing smartIAQ® GridSet™ for Modern Buildings
Charlotte-headquartered GPS Air, a prominent provider of indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions, recently unveiled its new smartIAQ® GridSet™ system on February 12, 2026. This air cleaning system is specifically engineered to assist building owners and designers in reducing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment costs and energy consumption. The technology achieves this by cleaning air directly within occupied spaces.
The smartIAQ GridSet™ is particularly suitable for single-zone applications, including classrooms, offices, and bank branches. Its design allows for installation into suspended grid ceilings or surface mounting on finished ceilings. This flexibility makes it an adaptable solution for various commercial settings aiming to optimize their indoor environments.
Driving Efficiency and Cost Savings
A key benefit of the smartIAQ GridSet™ lies in its ability to deliver verified indoor air quality, which in turn facilitates more efficient HVAC designs for new construction, upgrade, and replacement projects. By integrating this system, buildings can potentially reduce outdoor air requirements by 25 to 70 percent compared to conventional ventilation rate designs. This reduction in outdoor air intake significantly lessens the conditioning load, allowing for smaller equipment requirements and leading to lower energy usage and overall project costs.
The system is also designed for quiet operation, providing up to 150 CFM of air cleaning with a maximum sound performance of NC-25, making it suitable for environments such as learning spaces. This focus on both performance and user comfort highlights a thoughtful approach to indoor environmental quality that benefits occupants and balances operational needs with practical considerations. Businesses seeking to improve their HVAC efficiency can look to solutions like GridSet to achieve measurable savings and a better environment.
The Science Behind Cleaner Air
The efficacy of smartIAQ GridSet™ is rooted in GPS Air’s patented Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI®) technology. This advanced technology is installed in over 300,000 locations worldwide, including schools, offices, healthcare facilities, and airports. NPBI technology actively addresses airborne contaminants by continuously releasing positive and negative ions into the airstream.
When these ions disperse throughout a space, they seek out and bond with airborne particles, including allergens, bacteria, viruses, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This process, known as agglomeration, causes particles to cluster together, increasing their size and making them easier for existing HVAC filters to capture. Importantly, all GPS Air products are tested to ASHRAE standards and certified to UL 2998 for zero ozone emissions, ensuring safety alongside effectiveness. This commitment to responsible innovation is a hallmark of leading North Carolina entrepreneurs.
Charlotte’s Hub for Air Quality Innovation
GPS Air’s dedication to advancing indoor air quality is further exemplified by its state-of-the-art Innovation Center. This 8,000-square-foot facility is located adjacent to the company’s headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Established as a world-class center for advancing IAQ innovation, it features 11 specially designed testing chambers equipped with robotics, sensors, and advanced software. These resources allow for thousands of precise, real-time measurements of air quality and indoor air dynamics, accelerating the development of new, safe, and effective technologies.
The presence of such a sophisticated research and development hub in Charlotte underscores the city’s growing prominence as a center for technological innovation. It highlights how local investment in R&D not only strengthens individual businesses but also elevates the entire region’s economic profile, fostering job creation and attracting further investment. This kind of local leadership showcases the power of Charlotte NC business in driving progress.
Benefits for Charlotte Small Businesses and Beyond
The smartIAQ GridSet™ offers compelling advantages for various commercial sectors. For instance, in schools, it can help create healthier learning environments by significantly reducing airborne pathogens and improving overall air quality. For offices and other commercial spaces, the system translates to potential reductions in utility bills and a more comfortable, safer environment for employees and customers. The fact that it simplifies compliance with ASHRAE 62.1’s Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) also streamlines operations for building managers, reducing the complexity often associated with maintaining high air quality standards.
This innovation from a Charlotte small business demonstrates the impact that focused entrepreneurial efforts can have on broader community well-being and economic efficiency. By providing solutions that simultaneously address health, environmental, and financial concerns, companies like GPS Air contribute to a resilient and forward-looking local economy, emphasizing the benefits of efficient, private sector-led solutions.
A Breath of Fresh Air for Charlotte’s Future
The launch of smartIAQ® GridSet™ by Charlotte’s own GPS Air is a testament to the power of local innovation in addressing critical business and community needs. By offering a solution that reduces HVAC costs and enhances indoor air quality through advanced, proven technology, GPS Air provides a tangible benefit for businesses striving for efficiency and healthier environments. This kind of entrepreneurial drive helps solidify Charlotte’s position as a hub for cutting-edge solutions.
We encourage our readers to recognize the significant contributions of local companies like GPS Air. Supporting such innovative enterprises not only fosters continued economic growth in the Charlotte area but also helps ensure a healthier and more prosperous future for our entire community. Stay engaged in Charlotte’s economic future by recognizing and championing the breakthroughs that happen right here.
Frequently Asked Questions about smartIAQ® GridSet™
- What is smartIAQ® GridSet™?
- smartIAQ® GridSet™ is an air cleaning system designed to help building owners and designers reduce HVAC equipment costs and energy use by cleaning air directly within occupied spaces.
- Where is GPS Air headquartered?
- GPS Air is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, at 3101 Yorkmont Road, Suite 1500, Charlotte, NC 28208.
- How does smartIAQ® GridSet™ reduce HVAC costs?
- By enabling outdoor air reductions of 25 to 70 percent versus traditional ventilation rate designs, smartIAQ GridSet can reduce conditioning load, shrink equipment requirements, and lower energy use and total project cost.
- What technology does smartIAQ® GridSet™ use?
- smartIAQ® GridSet™ utilizes GPS Air’s patented Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI®) technology, which releases positive and negative ions to agglomerate airborne particles, making them easier for HVAC filters to capture.
- Is the smartIAQ® GridSet™ system safe?
- Yes, all GPS Air products, including smartIAQ® GridSet™, are tested to ASHRAE standards and certified to UL 2998 for zero ozone emissions, and the company is ISO 9001:2015 certified.
Key Features of smartIAQ® GridSet™
| Feature | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Direct In-Space Air Cleaning | Cleans air directly within occupied rooms. | Enables more efficient HVAC designs and localized air quality improvement. |
| HVAC Cost & Energy Reduction | Reduces outdoor air requirements by 25-70% compared to traditional ventilation. | Lowers conditioning load, shrinks equipment needs, and decreases energy use and total project cost. |
| Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI®) Technology | Releases positive and negative ions that agglomerate airborne particles. | Effectively reduces allergens, bacteria, viruses, odors, and VOCs by making particles easier to filter. |
| Quiet Operation | Delivers up to 150 CFM of air cleaning with NC-25 max sound performance. | Ideal for sound-sensitive environments like classrooms. |
| ASHRAE 62.1 IAQP Compliance | Provides verified, in-room air cleaning supporting the Indoor Air Quality Procedure. | Simplifies adherence to indoor air quality standards and regulations. |
| Zero Ozone Emissions Certified | Certified to UL 2998 for zero ozone emissions. | Ensures safety and environmental responsibility. |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
