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Healthy Homes
People are increasingly concerned about mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals
commonly found in homes. In fact, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies show that
levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels. And
poor indoor air quality is associated with a host of health problems, including eye irritation, allergies,
headaches, and respiratory problems such as asthma.
In addition, indoor air quality is having a sizable financial impact on the home building industry.
Litigation associated with mold and other indoor air quality related concerns and the rising cost of
liability coverage have cost builders and homeowners across the country billions of dollars. It's time
that builders start using safer practices when constructing a home, and the end result will be a
healthier home for it's inhabitants.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES NEW HOMES WITH THE ENERGY STAR INDOOR
AIR PACKAGE?
With the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package, EPA is challenging builders to step up to a new level of
excellence by building homes with the following design and construction features:
Moisture Control: Build in added protection from mold and other moisture damage with water
managed roofs, walls, and foundations that include drainage planes, flashing details, air sealing,
foundation drain tile and coatings, and proper grading.
Pest Management: Provide a first-line defense against pest problems with screens at openings that
cannot otherwise be fully sealed or caulked, concrete slab reinforcements to avoid cracking, and
termite shields at the top of foundations in areas of the country subject to termite infestation.
Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) System: Improve indoor air quality with best practice
installation of ducts and equipment to minimize condensation problems, whole-house and spot
ventilation to help dilute and exhaust indoor pollutants, and air filtration to remove airborne
particulates.
Combustion-Venting Systems: Protect residents from potential exposure to combustion gases by
installing direct-vented or power-vented gas- and oil-fired equipment, properly vented fireplaces,
garages fully sealed from living spaces and equipped with a continuously operated exhaust fan, and
carbon monoxide alarms in each sleeping area.
Building Materials: Reduce sources of pollutants by protecting materials stored on-site from weather
damage, selecting and installing materials to minimize the risk of moisture damage, meeting
specifications for reduced chemical content, and ventilating homes prior to occupancy where
installed materials are likely to emit airborne pollutants.
Radon Control: Provide radon-resistant construction in high-risk radon regions, including gravel and
plastic sheeting below slabs, fully sealed and caulked foundation penetrations, plastic vent pipe
running from below slab through the roof, and an attic junction box for easily adding an electric
powered fan to the vent pipe if needed.
HOW DO HOMES EARN THE LABEL FOR THE ENERGY STAR INDOOR AIR
PACKAGE?
Start with ENERGY STAR
A home must first be designed and built to earn the ENERGY STAR—the government-backed symbol
for energy efficiency. The result is a home that is significantly more energy efficient than a code-built
home.
More than 70 additional home design and construction features are included in the Indoor Air
Package to help protect qualified homes from moisture and mold, pests, combustion gases, and other
airborne pollutants.
Complete the package with independent testing and verification. The home’s energy performance
and many key features of the Indoor Air Package are inspected by an independent third-party to
ensure that the Built By Adams has properly followed EPA’s rigorous guidelines for energy efficiency
and specifications for indoor air quality.
It's one thing to build a tight home...it's quite another to make sure it's safe for its inhabitants for
years to come. Built By Adams understands what it takes to build a safe, healthy home.
People are increasingly concerned about mold, radon, carbon monoxide, and toxic chemicals
commonly found in homes. In fact, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) studies show that
levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels. And
poor indoor air quality is associated with a host of health problems, including eye irritation, allergies,
headaches, and respiratory problems such as asthma.
In addition, indoor air quality is having a sizable financial impact on the home building industry.
Litigation associated with mold and other indoor air quality related concerns and the rising cost of
liability coverage have cost builders and homeowners across the country billions of dollars. It's time
that builders start using safer practices when constructing a home, and the end result will be a
healthier home for it's inhabitants.
WHAT DISTINGUISHES NEW HOMES WITH THE ENERGY STAR INDOOR
AIR PACKAGE?
With the ENERGY STAR Indoor Air Package, EPA is challenging builders to step up to a new level of
excellence by building homes with the following design and construction features:
Moisture Control: Build in added protection from mold and other moisture damage with water
managed roofs, walls, and foundations that include drainage planes, flashing details, air sealing,
foundation drain tile and coatings, and proper grading.
Pest Management: Provide a first-line defense against pest problems with screens at openings that
cannot otherwise be fully sealed or caulked, concrete slab reinforcements to avoid cracking, and
termite shields at the top of foundations in areas of the country subject to termite infestation.
Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) System: Improve indoor air quality with best practice
installation of ducts and equipment to minimize condensation problems, whole-house and spot
ventilation to help dilute and exhaust indoor pollutants, and air filtration to remove airborne
particulates.
Combustion-Venting Systems: Protect residents from potential exposure to combustion gases by
installing direct-vented or power-vented gas- and oil-fired equipment, properly vented fireplaces,
garages fully sealed from living spaces and equipped with a continuously operated exhaust fan, and
carbon monoxide alarms in each sleeping area.
Building Materials: Reduce sources of pollutants by protecting materials stored on-site from weather
damage, selecting and installing materials to minimize the risk of moisture damage, meeting
specifications for reduced chemical content, and ventilating homes prior to occupancy where
installed materials are likely to emit airborne pollutants.
Radon Control: Provide radon-resistant construction in high-risk radon regions, including gravel and
plastic sheeting below slabs, fully sealed and caulked foundation penetrations, plastic vent pipe
running from below slab through the roof, and an attic junction box for easily adding an electric
powered fan to the vent pipe if needed.
HOW DO HOMES EARN THE LABEL FOR THE ENERGY STAR INDOOR AIR
PACKAGE?
Start with ENERGY STAR
A home must first be designed and built to earn the ENERGY STAR—the government-backed symbol
for energy efficiency. The result is a home that is significantly more energy efficient than a code-built
home.
More than 70 additional home design and construction features are included in the Indoor Air
Package to help protect qualified homes from moisture and mold, pests, combustion gases, and other
airborne pollutants.
Complete the package with independent testing and verification. The home’s energy performance
and many key features of the Indoor Air Package are inspected by an independent third-party to
ensure that the Built By Adams has properly followed EPA’s rigorous guidelines for energy efficiency
and specifications for indoor air quality.
It's one thing to build a tight home...it's quite another to make sure it's safe for its inhabitants for
years to come. Built By Adams understands what it takes to build a safe, healthy home.
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