This document discusses viewing a house as an interconnected system. It provides an overview of various house systems including diagnostics using a whole-house approach, air movements, moisture, and ventilation. Common indoor air quality concerns such as formaldehyde, lead, radon, and mold are also reviewed. Maintaining elements like heating systems, drainage planes, and ventilation is important for a house's comfort, health, safety, energy efficiency, and durability. Understanding how building occupants and their environment interact with a house as a complex, integrated system can help in designing, building, or renovating homes.

1. PresenPresen
tsts House as a System
Presented by Dana Mosher and Peggy Curran

2. House as a System Agenda
General Overview of House Systems
Diagnostics – Whole House Approach
Home Performance Contractor Challenge
“Think Outside the Box”
Air Movements
Moisture
Ventilation
Q & A

3. House as a System
About a third of owner-occupied homes are now at least
45 years old and an additional third is between 25 and
45 years old meaning that a large majority of homes are
in increasing need of remodeling and repair… AND
upgrade of the home’s performance.

4. What is House as a System?
• The systematic approach to
improving the comfort, health,
safety, energy efficiency and
durability of a home.

5. Definition of System
• A group of interacting, interrelated,
or interdependent elements forming
a complex whole.

6. Building
Occupants
Environment
Moisture
UV Radiation
Heat
The System, . . .

8. To understand you must first, . . .
BEFORE YOU DESIGN,
BUILD OR RENOVATE
Courtesy Building Science Corp.
http://www.buildingscience.com/doctypes/guides-and-manuals

10. Air Leakage

11. Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Radon
• Asbestos
• Vermiculite
• Mold
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’S)

12. Drain plane continuity at windowsDrain plane continuity at windows
Courtesy Terry Brennan

13. Pan FlashingPan Flashing
Courtesy Terry Brennan

14. Moisture
• Big Factor in Durability of Home
• Major influence IAQ
• High Humidity – Kitchen – Bath – Basement
• No Ventilation or Improper Ventilation

15. And a Moisture Problem
Courtesy Terry Brennan

16. Every Mold Problem is a
Contamination Problem
Courtesy Terry Brennan

17. UNHEALTHY WALL SYSTEM

18. Heating System
• Regular maintenance – change air filter
• Registers & Baseboards clean &
unobstructed
• Bleed Trapped Air from Hot Water
Radiators
• CO and Draft Test
• Programmable Thermostats

19. HEATING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY

20. WHAT CONDITION INDOOR AIR QUALITY
SYSTEM?

21. Indoor Air Quality Concerns
• Formaldehyde
• Lead
• Radon
• Asbestos
• Vermiculite
• Mold
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’S)

22. Thank you for your interest in House
as a System – Questions?
• For additional information on Energy Efficiency
Programs visit: www.nhsaves.com
• Contact – Dana Mosher - email:
dmosher@ccsnh.edu
• Contact – Peggy Curran - email:
margaret.curran@us.ngrid.com