EEBA Academy

Through the DOE Building America program, GTI, the University of Illinois, and MEEA are studying the impact that strategic air sealing and the introduction of supply and exhaust ventilation has on energy consumption and indoor air quality.

Energy-efficient new homes that are built tight require appropriately sized bath and kitchen exhaust and whole house mechanical ventilation (WHMV) systems to enable good indoor air quality. ASHRAE Standard 62.2 specifies minimum airflow rates and requires verification, but there is a lack of data on installed system performance and operation and their relationship to indoor air quality in occupied homes. This session will present early findings from an ongoing Building America research study that has gathered data on mechanical ventilation systems, indoor air quality parameters, and house and household characteristics from 180+ occupied homes in CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, OR, and SC.

With increased focus on health and indoor air quality, the industry has seen a boom of low-cost indoor air quality sensor systems that measure a variety of pollutants and other substances. These sensors are being using in a wide array of applications, often being included in consumer IAQ feedback devices, and even sometimes being used to control demand-responsive ventilation. Newport and HVI will share the technical work performed to develop these standards as well as the future of industry efforts to bring certification of IAQ sensor systems to the market.

Energy, climate, materials, and health: What is the connection? And why is it important? Insulation and air sealing are two cost-effective ways to increase the energy efficiency of a home. However, the chemicals that are found in some of these products or used during their production can negatively impact the health of the people who manufacture and install products, as well as those who ultimately live in these buildings. We need a better system of policies and regulations that are protective of human health, but for now, we need professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about the materials they use. Building professionals who specify and install materials have the opportunity to make significant impacts on health and the environment by choosing healthier materials.