Spotlight Article:
Ventilation and IAQ in New California Homes
Starting in the mid-2000s, the California Energy Commission funded several research studies (for example, Price, et al., 2007, and Offermann, 2009) that aimed to evaluate the potential indoor air quality (IAQ) impacts associated with envelope air ...
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Clean Ducts with Elbow Grease, Not Toxic Gas
Most of the ductwork that I've seen contains accumulations of house dust and tobacco smoke solids, as well as loose pieces of fiberglass duct insulation, dead bugs, and mold growing in a damp mess. [continue reading]
Occupants Pollute Healthy Homes
It is common knowledge that living in a well-ventilated house can help a family be more comfortable. But how much can good ventilation help protect the occupants of a house against indoor air pollution? [continue reading]
Sampling Stains for Fun and Profit
It's happening more and more-home performance specialists are getting calls from homeowners complaining of a "mysterious stain." Maybe the occupants think it's mold, and they're worried-could it be Stachybotrys atra, which has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome? [continue reading]
Building for Better Breathing
When my family and I had our home built here in North Carolina, good ventilation and air filtration were top priorities because my daughter has problems with allergies and asthma. [continue reading]
Loud Planes Put Insulators to Work
As part of a $25 million per year federally and locally funded program, approximately 9,000 homes in the immediate area of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, are being fitted with soundproofing measures. [continue reading]
The Uncurable Soot Mystery
On a recent investigation, I discovered two causes of carbon monoxide (CO) and soot stains in a home. Once I found those first two problems, along with reasons to rule out the other likely sources of pollution, I was blind to the actual culprit. [continue reading]
Home Performance for the Lungs
Feeling victorious in the war on cigarettes, state affiliates of the American Lung Association (ALA) are taking on indoor air pollution. [continue reading]
Candle Makers Take Heat on Ghosting
In the Jan/Feb issue of Home Energy, we reported on the causes of so-called ghosting stains in houses. Frank Vigil of Advanced Energy, along with other building scientists, concluded that these stains are often caused by soot, primarily soot from burning candles. [continue reading]
Building Performance Journal Editors
Our Blog Has Moved
Thanks for your interest in contributing a blog to the Building Performance Journal (formerly Home Energy magazine). We’re ...
Jim Gunshinan
Is Energy Efficiency an American Value?
Energy efficiency is good for the economy, good for families, good for workers, and good for the environment.
