The National Conservation Guild(tm) 
Indoor Air Quality Issues
From: Demand-Side Technology Reports
March 1995
UTILITIES NEED INFORMATION ON VENTILATION / IAQ ISSUES
A survey of 35 utilities completed for the Electric Power Research Institute
(EPRI) found only moderate awareness of ventilation / indoor air quality
(IAQ) issues. Only 10 of the utilities contacted were concerned about IAQ
issues and were taking steps to reduce potential problems. Eight utilities
believed that IAQ issues might become important in the future, while 17
expressed no concern about IAQ.
The utilities contacted were either known to be active in the ventilation
area, or were chosen to gain a balanced sample of geographic location and
size. From their limited sample, the study's authors, from Energy International,
Inc., estimate that 5% of electric utilities in the US have established
residential ventilation requirements to control IAQ.
The issue comes about because many utilities' DSM programs have promoted
energy efficiency through tighter homes with reduced infiltration. At times,
the resulting IAQ is unsatisfactory.
Although the report was only recently released, the survey was conducted
in October and November 1992. EPRI's project manager John Kesselring doesn't
believe awareness has increased significantly since then, although new building
energy codes, such as those planned for Minnesota, may force more attention
to the issue. Up to now, the Pacific Northwest has been the only region
in the US to require mechanical ventilation in new homes. The E Seal program
of the Edison Electric Institute could also bring more attention to IAQ
issues. The program certifies utility-sponsored home energy programs, and
indoor air quality is one of 15 qualifying categories. Although close to
30 utilities have joined the program so far, continued uncertainty in the
industry has slowed the program's growth. (For a look at the potential energy
impacts of increased ventilation requirements, see p. 4.)
Despite the dated survey responses, the report's description of some of
the IAQ issues faced by the respondents is useful for other utilities beginning
to address ventilation and IAQ . At one end of the spectrum, Northern States
Power of Wisconsin was very concerned with ventilation as a result of structural
degradation problems of relatively new homes that were sealed to improve
energy efficiency.
Several utilities were concerned with leaky ductwork - their cost-benefit
analyses indicated that the first place to start to improve efficiency is
better duct-sealing methods.
Alabama Power found that old homes and new, energy-efficient homes had similar
air-infiltration rates. The utility concluded that it needed to make reducing
infiltration rates a high priority in its efficiency programs.
Very few utilities were aware of controlling the sources of pollution as
a useful step - yet many experts agree that the primary determinant of indoor
air quality is the magnitude of the pollutant sources, not the degree of
ventilation. The report states that New England Electric restricts the use
of building components containing formaldehyde, requires radon premitigation,
and requires combustion appliances to use sealed burners. Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA) has similar requirements.
BPA was the only utility that recommended an automatic intermittent control
scheme for ventilation. Other utilities' recommendations featured control
schemes that were either always on, or completely manual.
Informational brochure in the works
The report also recommends that information and education resources
be developed for utilities. Kesselring told DSTR that a brochure
is in the works to educate utilities about the different kinds of ventilation
systems. A report on testing of a CO2 monitor to turn ventilation systems
on and off should be out sometime this spring. The system was tested on
homes in Florida and Maryland.
The report, Electric Utility Survey of Residential Ventilation Issues
(TR-103802), may be ordered from EPRI Distribution Center, 207 Coggins Drive,
P.O. Box 23205, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523; (510) 934-4212.
For more information, contact: John Kesselring, Electric Power Research
Institute, 3412 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94304; (415) 855-2902, Fax:(415)
855-2954.
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