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Air Quality, Temperature, and Humidity Control
Plan to create heating and cooling solutions that enhance human health and well-being while saving or at least neutralizing energy use. For many people with respiratory problems, multiple chemical sensitivity or whose internal temperature regulation is impaired, managing a comfortable and healthy internal environment demands a good system. There are a set of strategies related to these two goals: improve air movement and quality and control temperature and humidity.
Strategies for Improving Air Movement and Quality and Controlling Temperature and Humidity
- For existing exhaust fans (bathroom, range hood, dryer), make sure that they vent all the way to the outdoors and install a lid to the outlet that blows open when the fan is on and falls shut when not in use.
- Fresh air ventilation is brought in during heating and cooling. There are so many types of heating, cooling, and water heating equipment, that it makes sense to use the U.S. government’s Energy Star
labeling system for guidance on energy efficiencies relative to your climate. - Automatic humidity sensing fans for bathrooms and kitchens will save you energy and help keep humidity at levels that reduce likelihood of airborne contaminants. They also do not require that you remember to turn them on and off.
- Select natural insulation products to reduce consequences of off-gassing such as soy-based polyurethane foam insulation.
- For people with chemical sensitivities or respiratory conditions, choose flooring that minimizes initial off-gassing and immune from bacteria or molds. Exercise caution in the materials chosen for cleaning floors to minimize scents and toxins. Hot water alone is commonly recommended for maximum protection for people with chemical sensitivity.
- Make sure any engineered wood or particleboard furniture or cabinets are sealed. Hardseal and Safeseal are liquids that dry clear and seal in chemical off-gassing. Safeseal is for porous surfaces and dries to a matt finish that is virtually invisible on most porous surfaces. Hardseal has a gloss finish and can be used on non-porous surfaces.
- Dehumidifiers in damp basements are essential for reducing airborne molds. Automatic humidity sensing fans for bathrooms and kitchens will save you energy and help keep humidity at levels that reduce likelihood of airborne contaminants. They also do not require that you remember to turn them on and off.
- An excellent and comprehensive guide on Indoor Environmental Quality was prepared by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) with funding support from The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board) in 2005.
