210861 Ventilation and IAQ in New Homes With and Without Mechanical Outdoor Air Systems

Monday, November 9, 2009: 10:30 AM

Francis (Bud) Offermann, PE CIH , Indoor Environmental Engineering, San Francisco, CA
  
In 2006-2007 we conducted a multi-season study of ventilation and IAQ in 108 new single-family, detached homes in California. A total 32% of the homes did not use their windows and the median 24 hour outdoor air exchange rate was 0.26. Homes with continuous HRV mechanical outdoor ventilation systems had significantly higher outdoor air exchange rates and lower indoor concentrations of formaldehyde than homes without mechanical outdoor air ventilation systems. Homes with intermittent DOA systems did not significantly have higher outdoor air exchange rates or lower indoor formaldehyde concentrations than homes without mechanical outdoor air ventilation systems. This study suggests that consideration should be given to installing mechanical outdoor air ventilation systems in residences to provide a dependable and continuous supply of outdoor air to the residence and to reduce indoor sources of formaldehyde in new homes.

Learning Objectives:
Describe outdoor air ventilation rates and indoor formaldehyde concentrations in non-mechanically and mechanically ventilated homes.

Keywords: Air Quality, Indoor Environment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Priciple Investigator of the research project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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