Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in Recently Constructed U.S. Homes: Measured Data From Select Southeastern States

Little data is available that quantifies IAQ or associates contaminant levels with air exchange in U.S. homes. To address this gap, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building America Program conducted a study to characterize IAQ in U.S. homes constructed since 2013, along with presence, functionality, and occupant use of control measures. Specific objectives of this study effort included: Measuring time-integrated concentrations and temporal profiles of established contaminants of concern; monitoring the use of ventilation equipment; and tracking activities that impact air pollutant emissions and removal processes in typical homes in various climate zones; Characterizing the prevalence, type, and installed performance of mechanical ventilation equipment in new homes; exploring regional variations in system designs and performance; Investigating associations between contaminant levels and the presence of control measures including whole-house mechanical ventilation (WHMV). The study engaged research teams to collect data at a regional level. This report introduces the study protocol and presents and discusses high-level results obtained from Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) data collection efforts in the southeastern U.S. states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.. Authors: Martin, Eric [Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States); Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States); University of Central Florida]; Khan, Tanvir [Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States); Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)]; Chasar, Dave [Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States); Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)]; Sonne, Jeff [Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States); Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)]; Withers, Jr., Charles [Florida Solar Energy Center, Cocoa, FL (United States); Univ. of Central Florida, Orlando, FL (United States)]. DOE Contract: EE0008186. Subjects: 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; Building America; Indoor Air Quality; Mechanical Ventilation; Residential Buildings