Indoor air can have four to five times more contaminants than outside air, according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Poor Indoor Air Quality could lead to potential problems such as sick building syndrome, allergies & asthma and mold & mildew.

Understanding how homes function with respect to Indoor Air Quality is pure Building Science. Since Indoor Air Quality is related to ventilation, this is fundamental in correcting the problem followed by best practices.

Creating superior indoor air quality can begin with:

Addressing Air Leaks in the Building Envelope

Particularly in heating seasons, warm air has a tendency to rise creating a “stack-effect”. If the house is leaky, this air escapes out of the top of the building and is replaced with colder outside air that has less moisture and can be irritating to the respiratory system. Alternately, in hot humid summer months, air leaks allow moisture laden air to enter a home, making the home feel uncomfortable.

Icynene^® spray foam, when applied to walls, ceilings floors and attics, expands to 100 times its volume, to effectively air-seal the building envelope. Creating a tight building envelope keeps the indoor environment comfortable while also minimizing the entry of outdoor dust, pollutants and allergens.

Sealing Leaky Ductwork

Duct leakage can prevent heating and cooling systems from doing their job properly and efficiently, resulting in hot or cold rooms and discomfort due to excessive humidity.
 
When the duct work is located in unconditioned areas (attics, crawlspaces), the air from these areas gets sucked in by the return ducts and introduced into the living space. Leaky ducts can also send conditioned ‘supply air' directly to attics and crawlspaces reducing the volume of conditioned air throughout the living space. All ducts must be properly sealed to minimize energy wasted by this air leakage and maintain a comfortable indoor living environment.

Using Products with No Emissions or Off Gassing

These days, many advanced products are eliminating Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can off gas in the indoor environment. Today's paints, cabinets, carpets and even insulation are a few of the low or no emission products that can help improve indoor air quality. Icynene^® does not use synthetic blowing agents that can off gas. It is 100 percent water blown and HFC- and PBDE-free for a healthier indoor environment.

Icynene^® is often selected for healthy projects including American Lung Association's Health House^® projects. Icynene^® is an excellent choice of product for homeowners seeking thermal comfort and a healthy living environment today and for years to come.

Learn more about how Icynene^® helped improve the Indoor Air Quality in the American Lung Association's “Health House” project.

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