Open AccessIndoor Air Quality in Energy Efficient Housing
Author(s) -
Tracy L. Thatcher
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of green building
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.248
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1943-4618
pISSN - 1552-6100
DOI - 10.3992/jgb.1.2.32
Subject(s) - infiltration (hvac) , indoor air quality , efficient energy use , environmental science , energy conservation , installation , air quality index , architectural engineering , leakage (economics) , engineering , environmental engineering , waste management , mechanical engineering , meteorology , physics , electrical engineering , economics , macroeconomics
Over the past decade, there has been an increasing effort to reduce leakage and air infiltration in new residential construction in order to improve energy efficiency. For example, California's Title 24 Residential Compliance Manual For California's 2005 Energy Efficiency Standards, which went into effect in October 2005, recognizes that air infiltration (leakage) is a “major component of heating and cooling loads,” and section 3 addresses measures to reduce infiltration, such as sealing around penetrations, installing air-retarding wrap, and meeting window performance standards. While reducing infiltration has a positive effect on energy efficiency, a lack of adequate ventilation can lead to poor indoor air quality. Airtight residences need to balance the desire for energy conservation with the need for high quality indoor air. Doing this requires an understanding of the factors which affect air quality in homes.