Course Materials Available May 21, 2024

We spend 90% of our lives indoors, much of that in our homes. We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, simply breathing the air in our bedrooms. Even if well-known dangers like radon or carbon dioxide are not present, there are many other things that can make indoor air quality unhealthy. Air pollutants like carbon dioxide, small particles, chemicals produced from combustion appliance, and VOCs can combine in the air. Moisture, vapor, and heat can create conditions that make these combinations even more dangerous or lead to conditions where biologicals like mold can grow, and lead to ill health and “sick buildings.” The good news is that we can achieve the conditions that optimize for healthy indoor quality in new homes, when remodeling, and in existing homes with a science-based systems approach. This starts in the design phase, focuses on educating subcontractors and homeowners, and then measures and verifies results. Set up for success, a homeowner that properly maintains the home will reduce the risks of interior air pollution, and rest easy knowing that the air we breathe at home is positively contributing to our well-being.

What You'll Learn In This Course:

• Learn how to define healthy indoor air quality
• Understand the cause and effect of common indoor air pollutants Debunk common myths about indoor air quality
• Understand the role and limitations of common building enclosure component on indoor air quality Understand the role and limitations of common HVAC systems
• Understand methods to assess indoor air quality problems and discover their causes
• Understand how the building codes do and do not address indoor air quality
• Learn effective strategies for indoor air quality control over the life of the building