The effects of an energy efficiency retrofit on indoor air quality

Frey, Sarah E.; Destaillats, Hugo; Cohn, Sebastian; Ahrentzen, Sherry; Fraser, Matthew P.

doi:10.1111/ina.12134

Cited by 46 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Formaldehyde concentrations were found to be significantly higher (p=0.004) in homes immediately post renovation as compared to pre-renovation (0.03 vs. 0.01 ppm). The significant increase in the levels of formaldehyde, however, was not consistent with the findings of previous studies which either reported significant decrease of the formaldehyde level (Frey et al, 2015) or failed to find its increase in the green buildings post-renovation. In the current study, an increase in indoor formaldehyde levels post-renovation can be explained by indoor smoking (WHO 2010) amongst other parameters such as the presence of new building material consisting of particleboard and plywood, which could potentially contain formaldehyde-based resins (WHO 2010).…”

Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 97%

Indoor air quality in green-renovated vs. non-green low-income homes of children living in a temperate region of US (Ohio)

Coombs

Chew

Schaffer

et al. 2016

Science of The Total Environment

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Green eco-friendly housing includes approaches to reduce indoor air pollutant sources and to increase energy efficiency. Although sealing/tightening buildings can save energy and reduce the penetration of outdoor pollutants, an adverse outcome can be increased buildup of pollutants with indoor sources. The objective of this study was to determine the differences in the indoor air quality (IAQ) between green and non-green homes in low-income housing complexes. In one housing complex, apartments were renovated using green principles (n=28). Home visits were conducted immediately after the renovation, and subsequently at 6 months and at 12 months following the renovation. Of these homes, eight homes had pre-renovation home visits; this allowed pre- and post-renovation comparisons within the same homes. Parallel visits were conducted in non-green (control) apartments (n=14) in a nearby low-income housing complex. The IAQ assessments included PM2.5, black carbon, ultrafine particles, sulfur, total volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and air exchange rate. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. None of the indoor pollutant concentrations were significantly different between green and non-green homes. However, we found differences when comparing the concentrations before and after renovation. Measured immediately after renovation, indoor black carbon concentrations were significantly lower averaging 682 ng/m3 in post-renovation vs. 2,364 ng/m3 in pre-renovation home visits (p=0.01). In contrast, formaldehyde concentrations were significantly higher in post-renovated (0.03 ppm) than in pre-renovated homes (0.01 ppm) (p=0.004). Questionnaire data showed that opening of windows occurred less frequently in homes immediately post-renovation compared to pre-renovation; this factor likely affected the levels of indoor black carbon (from outdoor sources) and formaldehyde (from indoor sources) more than the renovation status itself. To reduce IAQ problems and potentially improve health, careful selection of indoor building materials and ensuring sufficient ventilation are important for green building designs.

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Section: Resultscontrasting

confidence: 97%

Indoor air quality in green-renovated vs. non-green low-income homes of children living in a temperate region of US (Ohio)

Coombs

Chew

Schaffer

et al. 2016

Science of The Total Environment

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“…The possibility of acrylic-based paints to not be only VOCs free [56] but also able to remove indoor VOCs by adsorption has been tested.…”

Section: Depolluting Capacitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving the Impact of Commercial Paint on Indoor Air Quality by Using Highly Porous Fillers

et al. 2017

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In the current paper, the effect on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) of two commercial acrylic-based paints were compared: one (Paint A) for indoor applications, the other (Paint B) for indoor/outdoor applications. Both were applied on an inert and on a real mortar substrate. The possibility of Paint B to passively improve IAQ was also investigated when adding highly porous adsorbent fillers, both as addition or as total replacement of a conventional siliceous one. The obtained results show that all paints have high capacity to inhibit biological growth. Paint A is more breathable and it has a higher moisture buffering capacity. Paint B negatively modifies the beneficial properties of the mortar substrate for IAQ. However, the use of unconventional fillers, especially as addition to the formulation, allows the recovery of the same properties of the substrate or even the enhancement of about 20% of the ability to adsorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the current test conditions.

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“…In addition, reductions in an apartment's extreme indoor temperature conditions correspond with improvements in its resident's reported health measures of general quality life/health, emotional distress, and sleep – key health issues for older adults. In another component of the larger study, reductions in formaldehyde levels marginally corresponded with reduced emotional distress and had no correspondence with quality life/health or sleep over the 1‐year time period (Frey et al., ). But formaldehyde reductions in the short term (i.e., 3‐month post‐renovation) did correspond with improvements in quality of health/life and reductions in emotional distress.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further information about the renovation process is described in Frey et al. () and Ahrentzen et al ().…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal and health outcomes of energy efficiency retrofits of homes of older adults

Ahrentzen

Erickson

Fonseca³

2015

Indoor Air

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Mitigation of thermal stress and adverse indoor climatic conditions is important to older low-income populations whose age, health, and economic circumstances make them vulnerable to indoor environmental conditions. This research examines whether energy retrofits in affordable housing for older adults can also improve indoor climatic (i.e., temperature, humidity, air infiltration) conditions and whether such improvements correspond with improved health and comfort of residents. An apartment complex for low-income older adults in Phoenix was the study site. In 2010, renovations were undertaken to make it more energy efficient and to replace interior cabinetry, flooring, and paint with materials that had low or no volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Fifty-seven residents from 53 apartment units participated in both baseline (pre-renovation) and 1 year post-renovation data collection trials. Environmental measures included temperature, relative humidity, and air infiltration. Health measures included general health, emotional distress, and sleep. Four questions addressed residents' perceptions of temperature quality. Results demonstrated a 19% reduction in energy consumption following the retrofit. In addition, fixed effects statistical models of the panel data showed significant stabilization of unit temperature from pre-retrofit to 1 year post-retrofit. Reductions in an apartment's temperature extremes of 27.2°C (81°F) and above also corresponded with improvement in occupant's reported health over the same time period, although not with occupant's perceptions of thermal comfort.

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The effects of an energy efficiency retrofit on indoor air quality

Cited by 46 publications

References 27 publications

Indoor air quality in green-renovated vs. non-green low-income homes of children living in a temperate region of US (Ohio)

Indoor air quality in green-renovated vs. non-green low-income homes of children living in a temperate region of US (Ohio)

Improving the Impact of Commercial Paint on Indoor Air Quality by Using Highly Porous Fillers

Thermal and health outcomes of energy efficiency retrofits of homes of older adults

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