As pandemic-fueled concern about pathogens increases, the whole world turns its attention to indoor air quality (IAQ), a subject that has been at the forefront of sustainable building technology for years. Along with mitigating disease risks, improving IAQ actually has the power to transform your physical and mental health as well as your children’s academic performance.
Most of today’s public discussion about indoor air quality is focused on reducing the risk of pathogen transmission in public places so people can gather again in offices, restaurants, and other shared spaces. But for now, most people are still at home. In fact, because many businesses are conducting operations remotely or are temporarily closed, a staggering 75% of the U.S. labor force is at home during the workday (42% working remotely, and 33% unemployed). [i]
Combined with widespread remote schooling for children and recurring stay-at-home orders, most adults and children are spending the majority of their time in their homes.
Indoor air quality in the home is a topic that most people never think about. But a home is subject to many of the same air quality risks as a commercial or public space. The indoor environment we spend the most time in is the most significant factor affecting our health, performance and productivity. Consider:
Concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher indoors than typical outdoor concentrations. [ii]
People who are often most susceptible to the adverse effects of pollution (e.g., the very young, older adults, people with cardiovascular or respiratory disease) are the most likely to spend even more time indoors. [iii]
Higher levels of carbon dioxide and particulate matter result in significantly diminished cognitive performance in 7 out of 9 metrics, and that cognitive function starts to decline even at levels of CO2 concentrations common to most indoor spaces. [iv]
And especially concerning, for children learning remotely:
Students’ attention processes are significantly slower in rooms with high CO2 levels and low ventilation rates. Students experience greater fatigue, impaired attention span, and loss of concentration. [v]
For each single unit increase in ventilation rate (1-L/s/p) student scores on standardized tests rose an average of 2.9% and 2.7% in math and reading, respectively. [vi]
The research is in and it is very clear: the quality of the air you and your children breathe affects your respiratory health, your ability to focus and your children’s ability to learn.
So what can you do to improve the indoor air quality in your home?
First, cover the basics: there has been a good amount of public attention given to the list of “must do’s” which are all good first steps: replacing your air filter, running your HVAC system’s fan continuously; and using air purifiers.
What follows is a list of additional recommendations that can have a significant impact on identifying and solving any air quality issues that would otherwise be invisible:
1. Purchase an Indoor Air Quality monitor.
There is a myriad of choices when it comes to air quality monitors, and not all are created equal. Some only measure temperature and humidity, but you want one that measures these variables along with particulate matter (PM 2.5), carbon dioxide (CO2), and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Both the Awair and Kaiterra models are good choices and have apps that can be monitored in real-time from a smartphone. Each of these models is available in the U.S. and some are approved by RESET Air. RESET Air is the international body that sets the highest standard for indoor air quality.
Having an IAQ monitor provides a baseline for the air quality in your home so you have the power either to improve it with a few simple tweaks that range from opening a window, to improving your filtration, or to identify more serious risks that require further investigation.
Things to keep in mind: Bringing in fresh air from outside will only help if the air quality is better outdoors than indoors. It is important to take note of the outdoor air quality in your area, using an app that has an Air Quality Index (AQI) such as AirNow or Air Visual. Also keep in mind that air quality monitors do not measure things like radon or mold levels, both of which require specialized tests.
2. Consider sealing your ductwork.
A typical home that is heated or cooled with a forced-air system loses 20 to 30% of that supplied air as it moves through the ductwork, through undetected gaps, holes, and ill-fitting connections. Of greater concern for indoor air quality is the dirty air that gets sucked into the return air ducts from the dirtiest spaces in your home such as attics, garages, and crawlspaces. This bad air returns undesired pollutants to the system (dust, dirt, toxic fumes, and particulates) that collect and get recirculated.
The best way to identify and resolve leaks is by sealing the ductwork, ideally by working with a professional who can pressure test the ducts and measure airflow, identifying leaks in hidden places to ensure that important issues do not get missed. Aeroseal technology is a good option that will catch and seal duct penetrations, improving both the efficiency of the ductwork and the indoor air quality.
3. Consider using an Energy Recovery Ventilator.
While most homes have systems to exhaust indoor air - think kitchen and bathroom fans - these systems are exhaust-only ventilation. This means that indoor air is sent to the outside, but no outdoor air is being brought back in. In contrast, an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) or a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) is a ventilation system that exhausts indoor air while bringing in fresh outdoor air.
Most homes do not have mechanical systems bringing in outdoor air, so you are breathing mostly recirculated indoor air. With an ERV/HRV, you can exchange stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air while minimizing any heat losses or gains by natural ventilation. The ERV/HRV system captures the energy contained in the exhaust air and uses it to precondition the outdoor air that is brought in. In winter, the system pre-heats and humidifies the outdoor air, and in summer, it pre-cools and dehumidifies the air.
Along with the transfer of energy between the air streams, ERV/HRVs capture contaminants, pollutants, and allergens from the outdoor air entering the house, ensuring healthy air and improving the IAQ.
Other benefits of an ERV/HRV are:
Mitigating mold and mildew risks
Increasing energy efficiency
Improving thermal comfort by keeping temperature more consistent between rooms
Reducing the furnace’s workload and extending the life cycle of your HVAC system
ERV/HRV systems can be installed as centralized or decentralized systems: either connected to the ductwork of an HVAC system, or in desired rooms with independent through-wall installations.
The Takeaway
If you are having trouble staying focused and productive in your home office, or your kids are struggling with remote learning, it could be related to your indoor air quality. Understanding what is at stake and what options you have to improve your home’s IAQ will allow you to make healthier choices for your family.
If you want to ensure your home has the best possible air quality, the best thing to do is to discuss your goals with a licensed design professional such as an architect or engineer. They can give you more information and guide you through the process to accomplish your goals in the most efficient and cost-effective way.
For information about the Studio St.Germain High Performance Home program, contact us.
[i] Wong, M. (2020, June 29). Stanford research provides a snapshot of a new working-from-home economy. https://news.stanford.edu/2020/06/29/snapshot-new-working-home-economy/
[ii] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1987. The total exposure assessment methodology (TEAM) study: Summary and analysis. EPA/600/6-87/002a. Washington, DC.
[iii] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1997. Exposure factors handbook volume 3: Activity factors. EPA/600/P-95/002Fa. Washington, DC.
[iv] “Is CO2 an Indoor Pollutant? Direct Effects of Low-to-Moderate CO2 Concentrations on Human Decision-Making Performance” And “Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments”
[v] Coley, D. A., Greeves, R., & Saxby, B. K. (2007). The effect of low ventilation rates on the cognitive function of a primary school class. International Journal of Ventilation, 6(2), 107-112
[vi] Haverinen-Shaughnessy, U., Moschandreas, D. J., & Shaughnessy, R. J. (2011). Association between substandard classroom ventilation rates and students’ academic achievement. Indoor Air, 21(2), 121-131