Episode #66: The CO₂ Connection: A Hidden Clue to Indoor Air Quality with Dr. Allison Bailes

Can an invisible gas reveal hidden issues with your home's air quality? 

Building scientist Dr. Allison Bailes makes a complicated topic accessible as he breaks down the seven-part layered approach to keeping your indoor air in tip-top shape. Learn the three strategies for whole-house ventilation and the surprising way carbon dioxide (CO₂) can reveal how well your home is ventilated. Find out which indoor air monitors are the most useful and whether “Build tight, ventilate right” is the correct strategy for your next home build. Come away with a better understanding of your own home’s ventilation processes as you learn about source control, filtration, air tightness, and more. 

If you’ve been looking for a consumer-friendly explanation about your home’s ventilation, this is the episode for you!

 

Episode Highlights

·      Where does carbon dioxide (CO₂) in your home come from, and what does it reveal about your indoor air? (2:28)

·      What’s the best way to monitor CO₂ and other pollutants? (7:20)

·      How do you select a MERV filter appropriately sized for your HVAC? (9:27)

·      What do studies say about CO₂’s impact on cognitive function? (12:06)

·      How do filtration, source control, and air tightness affect indoor air quality? (13:34)

·      Which indoor air monitors are useful, and what can they tell you? (16:34)

·      What are different forms of ventilation in a house? What are three strategies for whole house ventilation? (18:22)

·      How can you understand your own home’s ventilation processes better, including infiltration, stack effect, and pressure differences? (26:04)

·      How can a CO₂ monitor help you determine how much air exchange is occurring in your home? How can an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) improve ventilation? (31:44)

·      Can a home be over-ventilated? (35:06)

·      How accurate is the phrase “Build tight, ventilate right,”and what is a layered approach? (39:20)

·      What inspired Dr. Bailes’ book? What are some building codes for ventilation? (40:40)

Links mentioned in interview:
A House Needs to Breathe…Or Does it?:
https://energyvanguardstore.com

ASHRAE Position Document on Indoor Carbon Dioxide: https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/pd_indoorcarbondioxide_2022.pdf

7 Steps to Good Indoor Air Quality: https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/7-steps-to-good-indoor-air-quality/

Green Buildings Can Make You Smarter:
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/green-buildings-make-you-smarter/

Radon 101: Test, Mitigate, Breathe Easy With Zan Jones: https://changetheairfoundation.org/radon-101-test-mitigate-breathe-easy/

Carbon Monoxide 101: Testing & Prevention With Charon McNabb: https://changetheairfoundation.org/carbon-monoxide-101-testing-prevention/

Get in touch with our guest:
Energy Vanguard: https://www.energyvanguard.com

YouTube: @TheEnergyVanguard

Disclaimer: Your Indoor Air Podcast, a Change the Air Foundation production, is for general informational purposes only and does not const