1 weatherization & indoor air quality impacts of weatherization on air quality and comfort...
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Weatherization & Indoor Air QualityImpacts of Weatherization on Air Quality and Comfort Inside Your Home
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
What is Weatherization?
• Conservation activities applied to a building which help to protect the building from the elements, conserve heating or cooling energy, maintain temperature and provide a safe, comfortable, and healthy living environment.
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Typical Weatherization Components
Weatherization Assessment• Determining the condition of the
home • Energy Audit• Visual Inspection• Blower Door / Duct test• Other Diagnostics
Weatherization Retrofits• Building Envelope– Sealing/Tightening– Windows & Doors• Insulation• HVAC – Heating, Cooling,
Ducts• Designed Ventilation• EE Upgrades (Appliances)
Weatherization Plan• Prioritized• Customized
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
The House as a “Living System”
• Comfort• Health• Safety
• Durability• Sustainability
Changes made as part of a weatherization plan can impact more than energy efficiency.
A Holistic approach to renovations will also address:
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols
• Building Systems– HVAC– Combustion Safety– Source Ventilation– Whole House ventilation– Multi Family Ventilation
Organized by Priority Issues – Alerts auditor, planner and contractor to to potential issues; recommends minimum and expanded actions
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html
• Contaminants– Moisture
– Radon
– Wood Smoke
– CO, NOx, etc
– Lead
– Pests
– Building Products
– Asbestos
– Other
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Weatherization AssessmentWhat’s Done?
• Energy Audit– Energy performance– Base Loads• Visual inspection– Overall condition– Visual clues• Thermal Imaging• Blower door Test– Amount and distribution of leakage• Duct test– Loss of conditioned air• Other Diagnostics & Tests– Backdraft, CO2,RH,
Purpose:• Determine Baseline• Determine Options• Identify IAQ Concerns
http://www.waptac.org/Weatherization-Assistant/Weatherization-Assistant-8002E5.aspx
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Weatherization PlanWhat improvements will be performed
Approach• Prioritized– Health – Cost Effectiveness
• Customized – Test results– Building Specific– Occupancy & Operation
Considerations• Safety• Energy• Indoor Air Quality• Comfort• Cost Effectiveness• Sustainability
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Weatherization RetrofitsHow can changes impact Indoor Air?
• Temperature Differentials –
– Condensation
– Air Flow
• Pressure Differentials –
– Air Flow
• Moisture Management –
– Humidity
• Air Sources, Volume, Movement (Ventilation)
• Pollutant Sources & Controls
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Building EnvelopeSealing, Tightening, Windows & Doors
Weatherization Action• Blower Door / Duct Test based• Reduce air leakage, resistance to
heat transfer, thermal losses/gains• Size and distribution of uncontrolled
airflow
Impact on IAQ• Stack Effect / • Source of Leakage Air• Radon• Reduced “Natural” Ventilation– Less fresh air for occupants– Increased Humidity– Increased Pollutant Levels
(indoor sources)– Increased Odors• Spillage / Backdrafting
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Insulation
Weatherization Action• Resistance to heat transfer,
thermal losses/gains
Impact on IAQ• Moves dew point surface –
Shifts condensation to exterior wall
• VOC – type of insulation• Loss of containment - Fibers
/ Particulates• Decreased Air Movement
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Heating /Cooling / HVACWeatherization Action• Programmable Thermostat• Ducts– Replacement– Sealing– Balancing
• Furnace or A/C changeout– Efficiency– Right sizing– Combustion Venting– Fuel type
• Wood stove changeout• Ventilation
Impact on IAQ• Alter Pressure balance• Combustion makeup air• Spillage/Backdrafting• Emissions• Humidity
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Designed Ventilation / Radon Ensuring Adequate Ventilation
Weatherization Action• Minimum Ventilation Rate– Blower Door data based– Sized for occupancy– Volume– Natural ventilation
• Designed Fresh Air• Heat Exchangers• Exhaust fans• Active Radon Control
Impact on IAQ• Humidity• Odors• Comfort• Radon• Point Sources
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Energy Efficient Upgrades
Weatherization Action• EE Lighting• Hot water– Replacement H2O heater– Insulation– Reduce demand (lo flow)
• Fans (attic, ceiling)• Appliances
• PV/Wind
Impact on IAQ• Air movement• Mixing• Emissions • Humidity
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Holistic Considerations
• Landscaping shading
• Water conservation
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Homeowner / Resident EducationHow to Effectively Operate and Maintain the Renovated
House
• Energy conservation• Ventilation• Humidity • Sources • Lifestyle
• Maintenance
• Routine
• Scheduled
• In response to observations
– Don’t ignore changes that you observe – “Listen” to what your body & family are telling you
www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange
Additional Resources• EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Web site:www.epa.gov/iaq
• Climate Change: www.epa.gov/climatechange/
• The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality: www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html#Intro
• ENERGY STAR Home Improvement:www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement
• Mold and Moisture:www.epa.gov/mold
• Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center (WAPTAC)
http://www.waptac.org/