Ensure that exhaust fans and air handlers do not pull contaminants into the house
Unbalanced ventilation and leaky ducts can lower air quality.
Strong exhaust fans and poorly sealed heating and cooling ducts can depressurize parts of the house, drawing contaminants into living spaces. Air unintentionally pulled in from a garage, for example, may contain chemical contaminants or noxious odors. Air from attics or crawlspaces could contain dust and mold.
Green Points
LEED for HomesLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED for Homes is the residential green building program from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). While this program is primarily designed for and applicable to new home projects, major gut rehabs can qualify.
: Up to 3 points for limiting duct leakage (EA 5); 1 point for demonstrating the pressure differential between closed rooms and adjacent spaces is no more than 2.5 Pa (EQ 6).
NGBSNational Green Building Standard Based on the NAHB Model Green Home Building Guidelines and passed through ANSI. This standard can be applied to both new homes, remodeling projects, and additions.
/ICC-700: Properly sealed ducts are mandatory (701.4.2.1); 10 points for balanced exhaust and supply fans that do not introduce polluted air back into the building (902.2); 8 points for testing ventilation to achieve design airflow (902.2.2)
Learn more in the Green Building Encyclopedia
