Through the DOE Building America program, GTI, the University of Illinois, and MEEA are studying the impact that strategic air sealing and the introduction of supply and exhaust ventilation has on energy consumption and indoor air quality. Once a home is recruited to participate, a baseline of contaminant levels is collected for a three-week period. After the baseline is established, homes have air sealing done to their home. For control homes, contractors air seal as they typically would (most likely in the attic). For treatment homes, air sealing is performed, as applicable, at sump pumps, ground covers, large cracks and between the foundation and outside. Ducts are also sealed and air handler flow is adjusted. Contaminants are then measured for an additional three-week period. The specific contaminants that are measured throughout the course of the study are carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, radon and humidity. All of the participating homes also have supply and exhaust ventilation installed to measure the impact this has on contaminant levels, and the impact of different ventilation strategies will be described through the case study data. During this session, attendees will learn about preliminary data we are seeing as through the study. 

Learning Objectives:

Recognize the impact that strategic air sealing has on indoor air quality
Describe the impact supply and exhaust ventilation have on indoor air quality
Understand study results of a DOE Building America project
Apply research findings to improve contractor practices and improve indoor air quality.

Instructors: Jason LaFleur & Paul Francisco

CEU's: 1 AIA, 1 BPI, 1 NAHB, 1 NARI, 1 RESNET, and 1 GENERAL

**A maximum of 6 NAHB credits can be earned for entire Summit