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Indoor Air Quality in Homes

IAQ in Homes

Take a Tour of the IAQ House

Take a tour of the IAQ House

Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems in homes. Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying indoor air pollutants out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also increase concentrations of some pollutants.

Read more about what steps to take both to reduce the risk from existing sources of indoor air pollution and how to prevent new problems from occurring in EPA's "Care For Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality".

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Indoor airPLUS Program
EPA created the Indoor airPLUS Program to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency. Forward-thinking builders can distinguish themselves by offering homes that have earned this advanced designation. A home qualifies when verified to meet the Indoor airPLUS specifications, by a certified home energy rater. Read more about Indoor airPLUS

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Radon-resistant New Construction
Radon can enter and collect inside homes and other buildings that are not built with radon-resistant techniques. However, buildings constructed with radon-resistant techniques can ensure lower radon levels, energy efficiency, and a safer home.

Remodeling Your Home? Have You Considered Indoor Air Quality?

remodel with EngerStar
While remodeling or improving the energy efficiency of your home, steps should be taken to minimize pollution from sources inside the home, either from new materials, or from disturbing materials already in the home. In addition, residents should be alert to signs of inadequate ventilation, such as stuffy air, moisture condensation on cold surfaces, or mold and mildew growth. These issues should be addressed either before or during the remodeling process. Click on the house to learn more.

Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades

EPA has developed a new voluntary guidance document, Healthy Indoor Environment Protocols for Home Energy Upgrades, that provides a set of best practices for improving indoor air quality in conjunction with energy retrofit work in homes. Read more about the Protocols. Download the Protocols (PDF, 48 pp., 4.27 M, about PDF). Read the EPA Press Release.

The guidance was developed in collaboration with the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Recovery Through Retrofit Initiative and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiative to develop Guidelines for Home Energy Professionals.

Recovery Through Retrofit, November 9, 2010

Vice President Joe Biden announces three new initiatives that will help grow the energy-efficiency industry and help families make improvements that will help save money on their energy bills.

Watch the video of the event. (42 min. 17 sec.) | Read more about the Middle Class Taskforce.

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