Florida Green Home Building & Indoor Air Quality, John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

Green Building and Indoor Air Quality
John P. Lapotaire, CIEC
Council Certified Indoor Environmental Consultant
AmIAQC CIEC #0711048

Why Build Green?
In the United States, buildings account for:
39 percent of total energy use
12 percent of the total water consumption
68 percent of total electricity consumption
38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions

When you build green,
You take affordable housing to the next level of performance.
You give owners and residents more comfortable homes that cost less to operate, last longer, and keep occupants healthy.
You keep current with leading building techniques and gain valuable experience with a team approach that improves design and construction.
And of course, you help improve our environment as your buildings become more efficient, use less resources, and reduce their impact.

Green Predictions
“As of 2006, 50% of Builders are focusing their attention on green building issues”
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
March, 2006
“Between 40% and 50% of the homes built in 2010 are expected to be green”
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)
March, 2007

Consumer Motivation

How Do You Define Green?

Varying Performance Levels

Green Home Programs

Why Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Home Buyers are increasingly concerned about
mold,
radon,
carbon monoxide, and
toxic chemicals commonly found in homes.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies show that levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels.

Why Does IAQ Matter To Builders
Poor indoor air quality is associated with a host of health problems, including;
eye irritation,
allergies,
headaches,
and respiratory problems such as asthma.

In addition, indoor air quality is having a sizable financial impact on the home building industry.
Litigation associated with mold and other indoor air quality related concerns and the rising cost of liability coverage have cost builders across the country billions of dollars.

Builders can employ a variety of construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air quality in their new homes.
According to surveys, consumers are willing to pay up to $5,000 more for these improvements.

Forward -Thinking Home Builders
EPA created the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package to help builders meet the growing consumer preference for homes with improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
By constructing homes that meet EPA’s stringent specifications, forward-thinking builders can distinguish themselves by being among the first to offer homes designed to deliver lower utility costs, greater comfort, better durability, and reduced risk of indoor air problems.*

Improving IAQ With Energy Star
The construction practices and technical specifications that comprise the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package are designed to contribute to improved indoor air quality in new homes compared to code-built homes.
The Indoor Air Package should be viewed as a way to reduce the likelihood of experiencing such problems.
For example, factors such as unforeseen construction issues and homeowner behavior may negatively impact the home’s indoor air quality and the performance of the measures specified in the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package.

Buyers have a growing preference for homes with improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

Homebuyers Care About IAQ
Builders must build homes designed to deliver lower utility costs, greater comfort, better durability, and reduced risk of indoor air problems.*

Indoor Air Quality in Homes
Moisture Control: Build in added protection from mold and other moisture damage with water managed roofs, walls, and foundations that include drainage planes, flashing details, air sealing, foundation drain tile and coatings, and proper grading.
Pest Management: Provide a first-line defense against pest problems with screens at openings that cannot otherwise be fully sealed or caulked, concrete slab reinforcements to avoid cracking, and termite shields at the top of foundations in areas subject to termite infestation.

Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) System: Improve indoor air quality with best practice installation of ducts and equipment to minimize condensation problems, whole-house and spot ventilation to help dilute and exhaust indoor pollutants, and air filtration to remove airborne particulates.
Combustion-Venting Systems: Protect residents from potential exposure to combustion gases by installing direct-vented or power-vented gas- and oil-fired equipment, properly vented fireplaces, garages fully sealed from living spaces and equipped with a continuously operated exhaust fan, and carbon monoxide alarms in each sleeping area.

Building Materials: Reduce sources of pollutants by protecting materials stored on-site from weather damage, selecting and installing materials to minimize the risk of moisture damage, meeting specifications for reduced chemical content, and ventilating homes prior to occupancy where installed materials are likely to emit airborne pollutants.

How Can Builders Affect IAQ?
Builders can employ a variety of construction practices and technologies to decrease the risk of poor indoor air quality, including careful selection and installation of
moisture control systems,
HVAC equipment,
combustion venting systems,
and building materials.
But it’s not easy for homebuyers to keep track of all the preferred construction details that lead to improved indoor air quality and energy efficiency. That’s why EPA created the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package.

IAQ Problem Indicators
Symptoms Are Widespread Within A Certain Area.
Symptoms Disappear When Homeowners Leave The Home.
Symptom Onset Is Sudden After Some Change At The Home.
- Such As: Painting Or Pesticide Application, Storm.
Persons With Allergies, Asthma, Or Chemical Sensitivities Have Reactions Indoors But Not Outdoors.
A Doctor Has Diagnosed An Occupant As Having An Indoor Air-Related Illness.

Poor IAQ Health Effects
Symptoms of Certain Diseases, Including Asthma, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, and Humidifier Fever, Can Appear Soon After Exposure to Some Indoor Air Pollutants.
When Symptoms of Diagnosable Illness Can Be Attributed Directly to Airborne Building Contaminants, They Are Referred to As Building-Related Illness.

Poor IAQ Reported Symptoms
Watery Or Dry Eyes, Nasal Irritation.
Runny, Stuffy Nose.
Skin Rashes Or Other Dermatological Problems.
Fatigue, Headaches Or Other Neurological Problems
Nausea, Diarrhea, Or Other Gastrointestinal Problems.

IAQ Undefined Health Symptoms
Occupants May Suffer From any or all the Following Symptoms:
Dry or Burning Mucous Membranes.
Stuffy or Runny Nose.
Fatigue or Lethargy.
Forgetfulness.
Headache.
Irritability.
Dizziness.
Sneezing.
Nausea.

IAQ Contributing Factors
Inadequate Ventilation.
Air Contamination.
Water Intrusion
Contamination from Indoor Household Products
Contamination from Outdoor Sources.
Other Nonpollutant Stressors Such As:
Temperature.
Humidity.
Lighting.

78.1% OXYGEN
20.9% MINOR CONSTITUENTS
- Noble Gases (Helium, Neon..)
- Methane.
- Carbon Dioxide.
- Water Vapor.
What Is “In” Indoor Air
COMPOSITION OF OUTDOOR AIR:

Factors Affecting IAQ
MAN MADE SOURCES OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY:
Adhesives.
Pesticides.
Air Fresheners.
Copy Machines.
Paints And Supplies.
Cleaners And Waxes.
Dry Cleaned Fabrics And Furnishings.
Paper Products And Printed Materials.
Cosmetics And Personal Care Products.

Building Product VOC’s
BUILDING SOURCES OF POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY:
Plastics.
Sealants.
Insulating Materials.
Glues And Adhesives.
Electrical Equipment.
Pressed Wood Products.
Floor And Wall Coverings.
Radon From Construction Materials.

Poor IAQ and Nature Sources
Dust Mites.
Pollens.
Yeasts.
Mold.
Pollen
Dust Mite
Yeast Cells
Mold

IAQ Healthy Homes
STRATEGIES FOR HEALTHY HOMES:
Engineering Controls.
Good Building Design
Proper Maintenance.
Administrative Controls.

Homeowner Benefits
Healthier Indoor Environment
More Comfortable
More Durable
30 – 60% More Energy-Efficient
More Environmentally Responsible

Builder Benefits
Reduced Cost
* Fewer Call-Backs
* Increased Customer Satisfaction
* Increased Referral Rate
Increased Revenue
*Higher Close Rate
*More Sales
Higher Profits

Who is MicroShield?
MicroShield Environmental Services, LLC. was established by a Homebuilder for Homebuilders to provide the Homebuilding industry with affordable solutions for Residential Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).
MicroShield Environmental Services is dedicated to providing our Builders with the highest level of professional Indoor Air Quality Services available.
At MicroShield, we are committed to ensuring the homes our Builders deliver meet the highest standard of indoor Air Quality for their valued Home Buyers.
MicroShield Environmental Services, LLC.33 OF 63
1170 Tree Swallow Dr., Suite 330, Winter Springs, Florida 32708
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534
www.Microshield-ES.comJLapotaire@Microshield-ES.com

How Can MicroShield Help You?
Certified IAQ Healthy Home
Indoor Air Quality Testing
Quality Control Inspections
Product Failure Inspections
Water Intrusion Inspections
Indoor Air Quality Inspections
Building Diagnostic Inspections
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Tools of the IAQ Trade
The Zefon Z-lite IAQ pump is a linear type pump which is very small in size, but produces a high volume of vacuum airflow.
Anderson Volumetric Sampler used with an agar plate to collect culturable air samples.
Bio-Pump is the lightest portable battery powered IAQ sampling pump
Lightweight pump features an adjustable regulator
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Indoor Air Quality Readings
Temperature, Relative Humidity, Particulate, Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Particulate Matter Size
Particulates, alternatively referred to as particulate matter (PM) or fine particles, are tiny particles of solid or liquid suspended in the ambient air.
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

IAQ Particulate Sources
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

IAQ Particulate Counters
IAQ Particle Counter gives indoor air quality users unique capabilities not available in other IAQ equipment. It is specifically appropriate for assessing air as it pertains to health and breathing. Sensitivity range is large enough to accurately detect mold spores and still detect 0.3 micron smoke particles.
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Particulate Size Chart
2.5
0.5
0.3
5
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

VOC and Odor Investigation
Over the past 20 years the EPA authored a series of ‘Toxic Organic Compound’ methods to test the ambient air.
These methods are more commonly referred to as the ‘TO’ methods.
Today the TO-15 test for 62-compound
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Black Light / UV ScanBlack Light Scan can identify the location of mold, bacteria, urine, and many other indoor contaminants.
The remote video camera can help the Indoor Environmentalist view areas with minimal damage.
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

The use of a boroscope, (fiber optics) to view space inside ductwork or behind walls is used along with the use of a radio moisture meter
The Moisture Meter is used to detect moisture "inside" building materials, identifying hidden sources of fungal growth and the extent of water damage.
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

The MiniRae is an advanced handheld volatile organic compound (VOC) detector.
The MiniRae uses photo ionization detector’s (PID) extended range of 0 to 15,000 ppm.
Digital cameras are used in every assessment to photo document any and all concerns
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Thermal Cameras
The use of a thermal imager is an excellent nondestructive investigation technique.
Thermal imagers can be used in many diagnostic indoor environmental assessments.
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Thank You for Participating in OurGreen Building& IAQ Presentation
If you have any questions concerning the course material we have just covered?
Please contact John or Lydia Lapotaire
John 321-229-2778 Lydia 407-383-9459
JLapotaire@Microshield-ES.comLLapotaire@Microshield-ES.com
www.Microshield-ES.com
“Healthier Air Starts Here”
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

Thank You
Thank You
“Healthier Air Starts Here”
phone 321-229-2778 fax 321-206-4534

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Florida Green Home Building & Indoor Air Quality, John P. Lapotaire, CIEC

by John Lapotaire, CIEC on Jul 14, 2009

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Florida Green Home Building & Indoor Air Quality, John P. Lapotaire, CIEC — Presentation Transcript