INDOOR AIR QUALITY

According to the readings, how can design for improved indoor environmental quality achieve energy savings? Provide some examples. What are the effects of requiring ingredient disclosure on other products, not just building products?

The article written by Andrew Persily titled Using ASHRAE’s New IAQ Guide explains how many IAQ problems occur because indoor air quality was not considered at the beginning of the Project’s design process. The basic act of properly orienting the building in response to sun angles and prevailing winds can reduce the amount of heating, cooling and ventilation required to keep the building operating comfortably. 

Also, the article emphasizes the importance of Commissioning at the end of construction. If the building systems are not properly commissioned prior to use they may not function as designed (due to improper installation, damage during construction or owner operation errors), increasing energy costs. 

Indoor contaminant sources and contaminants from indoor equipment and activities can negatively impact the indoor air quality, despite careful planning to preserve IAQ during design. Products used by the Owner to clean and maintain the building may release chemicals damaging the quality of the air. Furniture and other furnishings brought into the building may also release unwanted pollutants. If the building has a kitchen, lab, art studio or other program where substances are frequently brought into and used, it is prudent to investigate their ingredients to ensure they are safe to use in enclosed spaces. 

An interesting innovation in heating and cooling spaces efficiently is discussed in the article by Kathleen Maclay named Office Too Hot Or Cold? Researchers Aim For Comfort, Energy Efficiency. The PCS, or Personal Comfort System, is an air and environment conditioning system that “uses low wattage devices embedded into a system of chairs, foot warmers and fans that can quickly warm or cool individual users on demand. The PCS system targets the most thermally sensitive part of the body such as the face and head, the torso and feet, to provide warmth or cooling as needed and as desired, rather than trying to maintain one temperature for an entire building or floor.” Energy savings in buildings implementing this system have been significant. The article states that natural gas usage is cut by 39% and electricity use by 30% for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Innovative systems like the PCS are intelligent ways to use energy only when absolutely and where absolutely necessary, eliminating wasted energy in buildings and increasing energy savings.

What are some of the issues that lead to poor indoor air quality? What are some of the solutions to these issues?

The article written by Andrew Persily titled Using ASHRAE’s New IAQ Guide lists the following issues that lead to poor indoor air quality:

• IAQ not considered during Design & Construction (as stated above)

• Lack of Commissioning (as stated above)

• Moisture in building assemblies

• Poor outdoor air quality

• Moisture and dirt in ventilation systems

• Indoor contaminant sources

• Contaminants from indoor equipment and activities

• Inadequate ventilation rates

• Ineffective filtration and air cleaning 

A few methods of mitigating these issues are to capture and exhaust contaminants from building equipment and activities, reduce contaminant concentrations through ventilation, filtration and air cleaning. Also, monitoring cleaning and maintenance products used on the building to ensure they are not releasing chemicals into the air or damaging the building materials instead of protecting them.