Weatherization & Indoor Air Quality

Impacts of Weatherization on Air Quality and Comfort Inside Your Home 1 1

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What is Weatherization?

• Conservation activities applied to a building that help to protect building from elements, conserve heating or cooling energy, maintain temperature and provide a safe, comfortable, and healthy living environment

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Typical Weatherization Components

• • • • • Weatherization Assessment Determining the condition of the home Energy Audit Visual Inspection Blower Door / Duct test Other Diagnostics Weatherization Plan • • Prioritized Customized • • • • – • Weatherization Retrofits Building Envelope – Sealing/Tightening Windows & Doors Insulation HVAC – Heating, Cooling, Ducts Designed Ventilation EE Upgrades (Appliances)

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The House as a “Living System”

Changes made as part of a weatherization plan can impact more than energy efficiency . A Holistic approach to renovations will also address: • • • Comfort Health Safety • • Durability Sustainability

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Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols

Organized by Priority Issues – Alerts auditor, planner and contractor to to potential issues; recommends minimum and expanded actions • – – – – – – – – – Contaminants Moisture Radon Wood Smoke CO, NOx, etc Lead Pests Building Products Asbestos Other http://www.epa.gov/iaq/homes/retrofits.html

• – – – – – Building Systems HVAC Combustion Safety Source Ventilation Whole House ventilation Multi Family Ventilation

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Weatherization Assessment

• • – – – – • • • – • – – What ’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, CO 2 ,RH, Purpose • Determine Baseline • • Determine Options Identify IAQ Concerns http://www.waptac.org/Weatherization-Assistant/Weatherization-Assistant-8002E5.aspx

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Weatherization Plan

What 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

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Weatherization Retrofits

How 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

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Building Envelope

Sealing, 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

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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

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Heating /Cooling / HVAC

• • • • – – – • – – – – Weatherization 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

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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

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Energy Efficient Upgrades

• • Weatherization Action EE Lighting • • – – – Hot water Replacement H 2 O heater Insulation Reduce demand (lo flow) Fans (attic, ceiling) Appliances Impact on IAQ • Air movement • • • Mixing Emissions Humidity • PV/Wind

Holistic Considerations

• • Landscaping shading Water conservation www.epa.gov/iaq/climatechange

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Homeowner / Resident Education

How to Effectively Operate and Maintain the Renovated House • • • • • Energy conservation Ventilation Humidity Sources • Maintenance • Routine • • Scheduled In response to observations Lifestyle – Don ’ t ignore changes that you observe – “ Listen ” to what your body & family are telling you

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Additional Resources

• • • • • • EPA ’s Indoor Air Quality Web site: www.epa.gov/ia q 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/homeimprovemen t Mold and Moisture: www.epa.gov/mol d Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center (WAPTAC) http://www.waptac.org/