Indoor Air Quality
“Indoor air quality” refers to how clean the air in a building is.
As buildings become more airtight and energy efficient, actively managing indoor air quality becomes more important. Some air pollutants, like carbon monoxide, are highly dangerous. Others, like volatile organic compounds, can cause short-term health problems as well as chronic ones.
Moisture management, adequate ventilation, and selection of low-VOC products are some of the best ways to ensure good IAQ.
Indoor Air Quality
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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How Six Affordable Housing Projects Got to Green
Feature Short
Stories of designers and developers who overcame the challenges of building affordable housing that is also green, sustainable, and healthy.
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Measurement and Verification: Monitoring Building Systems for Optimal Performance
Feature
Tracking the performance of a building's mechanical and electrical systems is essential for energy savings that persist over time. In this article, EBN explores measurement and verification and explains why demand for these systems is growing. We also explain the LEED® Rating System's evolving treatment of M&V.
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Biophilia in Practice: Buildings that Connect People with Nature
Feature
Biophilia, or human beings' inherent love for nature, has been called "the missing link in sustainable design." EBN's Alex Wilson helps readers understand biophilia, describes why it is important relative to building design, and presents specific design strategies for bringing people closer to nature.
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Ductless Mini-Splits and Their Kin: The Revolution in Variable-Refrigerant-Flow Air Conditioning
Feature
Ductless split systems using heat pumps and variable refrigerant flow offer an energy-efficient alternative to conventional heating and air-conditioning systems for a variety of settings, from homes to hotels and schools. Three major manufacturers-Daikin, Mitsubishi, and Sanyo-offer the greatest variety of products.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Choosing Between an ERV and an HRV
Explainer
Don't get fooled into buying a more expensive and complex system if what you really need is a dehumidifier.
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How Environmental Site Assessments Work
Explainer
Existing buildings and previously developed sites are great, but they often need environmental cleanup. An ESA is the first step.
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VOC Testing: What It Can and Can’t Tell You
Explainer
“Section 01350” has come a long way since it acquired its curious nickname. Here’s what it can tell you about indoor air quality—and what it can’t.
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Demand-Controlled Ventilation: Fresh Air Only When You Need It
Explainer
Balancing the need for fresh air with minimizing energy use is difficult. Demand-controlled ventilation is the responsive solution.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Recovering Heat from Commercial Kitchen Exhaust
Product Review
The Halton Heat Recovery Unit captures heat in commercial kitchen exhaust to pre-heat incoming make-up air, reducing the HVAC demands on the kitchen. Optional domestic water heating loops and air-cooling coils are also available.
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Air Renew Wallboard Absorbs Formaldehyde from Indoor Air
Product Review
Using a common building product to clean indoor air? AirRenew drywall claims to improve indoor air quality by absorbing formaldehyde and trapping it chemically in the gypsum core.
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Cost-Effective Analog-to-Digital Thermostat Retrofits
Product Review
Switching to digital thermostats in existing buildings can be expensive and disruptive. Cypress Envirosystems offers a simple analog-to-digital solution.
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Underfloor Air: Rising Above a Checkered Past
Product Review
With attention to building science, UFAD may offer greater comfort and better energy performance than other systems.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Preliminary Study Supports LEED Productivity Benefits
News Analysis
Workers moving from existing buildings to new LEED-certified buildings were surveyed for before-and-after health and productivity changes.
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Study: Learning Can Be Harmed by Classroom Design
News Analysis
A new study from England identifies six design parameters with significant impacts on student performance.
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Active House: The Most Passive-Aggressive Name in Homebuilding?
News Analysis
Developed by glazing manufacturers, the Active House program emphasizes daylighting along with energy efficiency.
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Radon and Schools: A Study in Denial
News Analysis
Most U.S. states get an 'F' when it comes to protecting kids from this common but deadly carcinogen. Maybe it's time for design teams to take the lead.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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