OVERVIEW
As buildings become more airtight and energy efficient, actively managing indoor air quality becomes more important. Not only are some air pollutants highly dangerous, but many—like radon and carbon monoxide—are undetectable by human senses. And with 90% of our time typically spent indoors, slight elevations of VOCs can amount to chronic exposures.
Here you’ll learn what pollutants to be wary of and ways to promote clean, fresh air, including:
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finding the right level of ventilation
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specifying products that won’t emit problematic chemicals
- controlling pressure differentials to avoid unintentional introduction of polluted air
IN-DEPTH
Filter results:
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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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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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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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USGBC to Staff Sustainability Leaders in School Districts
News Analysis
USGBC's new Center for Green Schools will be funding sustainability coordinators in school districts across the country.
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New Standard Showcases Efficiency of VRF Multi-Splits
News Analysis
The Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) recently created a standard that evaluates the efficiency of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) multi-split heating and cooling systems. AHRI 1230 allows a comparison between VRF multi-splits and unitary HVAC systems that was not possible previously.
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EnOcean Alliance Disseminates Wireless Control Technology for Hotel Use
News Analysis
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Programmable Thermostats
Primer
Programmable thermostats can save a lot of energy, but to do so, they have to be operated correctly.
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Convia's Energy-Management Platform
Product Review
Convia and Wiremold have partnered to provide a modular, highly adjustable energy distribution infrastructure and reporting tool.
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High Staff Retention at First LEED Platinum Hospital
News Analysis
Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas, is the first LEED Platinum hospital.
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Matrix Total Home System Offers All-in-One Efficiency
Product Review
The Matrix Total Home System from NTI is an energy-efficient mechanical system that includes forced-air and hydronic heating as well as energy recovery and ventilation in one space-efficient unit.
