News

LEEDing with Ventilation for Healthier Homes

Given the importance of fresh air to healthy indoor environments, the Healthy House Institute (HHI) and Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) are working together to call public attention to the home ventilation requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) LEED for Homes Rating System. The collaboration, starting in Fall 2011, will include HVI articles published on the HHI website, joint press highlighting the LEED requirements for home ventilation, and other outreach including e-learning initiatives.

“Promoting fresh air indoors through better ventilation is a positive and necessary step to protect ourselves, our children, elderly and loved ones at home where we are most vulnerable,” states Allen Rathey, president of the Healthy House Institute (HHI), Boise ID. “The USGBC’s recommendations are especially commendable because they are sensible, allow flexibility in how proper ventilation is achieved, and balance today’s energy-saving economic concerns with environmental and climate factors."

“It is laudable that the USGBC’s LEED for Homes Rating System awards points toward LEED certification for installing whole-house ventilation systems, supply and exhaust fans, garage ventilation fans, and heat/energy recovery systems to ‘reduce occupant exposure to indoor pollutants by ventilating with outdoor air,’” says Jacki Donner, Executive Director of the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI).  “This goal is made all the more achievable with advances in home technology such as high efficiency fans, heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), and energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) that enable ventilating simply and cost-effectively."

The LEED for Homes rating system stipulates that builders and contractors meet the ventilation requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 and that overall systems meet third party performance testing standards.

HVI recommends that manufacturers have their equipment tested by independent labs and certified by HVI for performance in connection with airflow, sound level, and energy usage. HVI Certification is currently required for the US EPA’s ENERGY STAR® Program, Canadian Regulatory Agencies and compliance with various U.S. state requirements. The test procedures are developed by HVI based on national and international consensus determinations as well as standards of other agencies in accordance with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada.

 “We see a strong synergy of objectives here,” added Rathey. “Every home needs ventilation to protect people from unhealthy indoor pollutants and the structure from excess moisture. These combined activities - those of the USGBC, HVI and HHI - help to promote the health and growth of the home ventilation industry while providing consumers with valuable information, confidence in their choices, and greener, healthier environments."

For a list of HVI-Certified Products, Manufacturers, and Brand Names, visit the HVI-Certified Products Directory.  HVI updates the HVI-Certified Products Directory monthly.

About HHI

The Healthy House Institute™ (HHI) provides consumers information to make their homes healthier. HHI strives to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes, covering topics in-depth such as air and water quality, building, remodeling and furnishing, cleaning and housekeeping, health and safety, ventilation, lighting, energy efficiency and more.

The Institute’s goal is to reach a mainstream educated consumer with credible information merging the best of ‘green’ with the best of healthier homes research, indoor environmental data, health and medical science, into a practical, timely, easily digestible but comprehensive message. HHI strives to be a truly authoritative voice that has the ‘ear’ and trust of major media, influentials, and most importantly, the intelligent consumer. For more information, contact HHI at 13998 West Hartford Dr., Boise, ID 83713; Telephone: 208-938-3137; Fax: 208-938-3138. Visit the website at www.healthyhouseinstitute.com.

About HVI

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), founded in 1955, is a nonprofit association of the manufacturers of home ventilating products. Through a Certified Ratings Program, HVI provides a voluntary means for residential ventilation manufacturers to report comparable and creditable product performance information based upon uniformly applied testing standards and procedures performed by independent laboratories.

Today, HVI represents manufacturers from the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe, producing the majority of the residential ventilation products sold in North America. For more information, contact HVI at 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214, Wauconda, IL 60084. Telephone: 847-416-7257; Fax: 480-559-9722; E-mail: hvi@hvi.org. Visit the website at www.hvi.org.

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and Water Quality Association (WQA) Announce Partnership

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and the Water Quality Association (WQA) recently formed an educational partnership to help consumers understand the importance of and technology behind improving residential water quality.

“The partnership is a logical pairing as both organizations are devoted to arming consumers with information to make their homes healthier,” says Allen Rathey, president, HHI.

Under the terms of the agreement, HHI of Boise, Idaho, will develop articles showcasing the value of WQA certification programs and educating consumers on water quality issues for the HHI Web site. WQA of Lisle, Ill., will team with HHI to develop collaborative press releases designed to boost the public’s awareness of water quality issues and drive traffic to both organizations’ Web sites.

“We are excited about the potential of this partnership,” says Rathey. “The WQA/HHI educational program is a recipe that yields results over time once all the ingredients are present. The first ingredient is establishing regular content on HHI so search engines will find it, and the public and media will begin to learn about WQA and related products/benefits. Next, we will begin joint press releases disseminated by wire service. These press releases, written from a consumer perspective, will help drive media interest, producing more awareness and traffic to both sites.”

Pauli Undesser, WQA director of regulatory and technical affairs, agrees: “This partnership will aid WQA in further disseminating water quality information to the public. It’s a win-win for the WQA, the HHI, and the consumer. The more informed consumers are the better water quality choices they will make.”

About HHI

The Healthy House Institute® (HHI) provides consumers information to make their homes healthier. HHI strives to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes, covering topics in-depth such as air and water quality, building, remodeling and furnishing, cleaning and housekeeping, health and safety, ventilation, lighting, energy efficiency and more.

The Institute’s goal is to reach a mainstream educated consumer with credible information merging the best of ‘green’ with the best of healthier homes research, indoor environmental data, health and medical science, into a practical, timely, easily digestible but comprehensive message. HHI strives to be a truly authoritative voice that has the ‘ear’ and trust of major media, influentials, and most importantly, the intelligent consumer.

About WQA

WQA is a not-for-profit association that provides public information about water treatment issues and also trains and certifies professionals to better serve consumers. WQA has more than 2,500 members internationally. WQA provides Gold Seal certification for products that remove a variety of contaminants. These products are tested according to independently developed standards of the highly respected ANSI (the American National Standards Institute).

HHI and AAFA are Helping Americans With Allergies and Asthma

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) are working together this fall to help disseminate health information to the 60 million Americans living with allergies or asthma.  The efforts will include collaboration to produce content for HHI’s website and outreach to teach consumers how to reduce allergens and irritants at home.

HHI has created a dedicated Asthma and Allergies section on its website, wherein AAFA will provide content.  In addition, AAFA-bylined articles will appear monthly on HHI’s home page. Other forms of outreach are also in development.

"From paints and finishes, to mattresses, to floorcare, to selection of household cleaners and other products, everyone can improve the indoor air quality in their homes by making small, informed changes,” said Allen Rathey, president of HHI. “AAFA’s well-vetted body of research and health expertise combined with HHI’s focus on the home as an integrated system will help us to better inform the public about practical steps they can take to prevent problems.”

“We are pleased to be able to work with HHI in a holistic approach to help improve the lives of families with asthma and allergies,” said Mike Tringale, M.S.M., AAFA’s Vice President of External Affairs. “We share HHI’s commitment to helping people improve their indoor environment and health by teaching them to reduce or eliminate triggers such as dust mites, pet dander, and VOCs."

About Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA)

A not-for-profit organization founded in 1953, AAFA is the leading national patient and consumer organization helping people with asthma, allergies and related diseases through education, advocacy and research. AAFA provides practical information, community based services and a network of support through regional chapters and partners throughout the United States. www.aafa.org

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and Sierra Club Green Home (SCGH) - Helping Consumers Find Greener Products and Services

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and Sierra Club Green Home (SCGH) are collaborating to help consumers find greener, healthier product and service providers by co-promoting the SCGH GreenCheck program.

“GreenCheck is not a certification program, but aims to help consumers identify businesses and products that are healthier and more sustainable by requesting some very fundamental information about how those providers do business,” said Allen Rathey, President of HHI.

“The GreenCheck process enables us at Sierra Club Green Home to ask providers and retailers about their green credentials, and also taps feedback from end-users to determine ongoing qualification for the GreenCheck recognition,” said Jennifer Schwab, CEO of SCGH.

The SCGH GreenCheck program vets providers in at least 8 major areas:

1. Indoor air quality impact
2. Energy usage
3. Water usage
4. Material usage
5. Waste
6. Customer education
7. Health
8. Business practices

HHI will promote the program on its website and through joint press.  On the HHI site, a Green Directory search box will enable consumers to search for providers in their geographic area as well as online.

“We are pleased to support this program associated with the Sierra Club brand, and hope this national outreach will embrace all providers making sincere efforts to become greener and healthier,” said Rathey. “It’s a way for companies to be recognized for their endeavors to advance health and sustainability in their operations, and a way for consumers to connect with them through the SCGH and HHI websites.”

For more information about GreenCheck, visit http://www.sierraclubgreenhome.com/scgh-greencheck.

HVI Becomes ANSI-Accredited

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) was awarded the distinction of American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accreditation this spring for its Certification Program for Ventilating Fan Products.

"This is an important recognition of our industry leading certification program," said Jim Boldt, HVI Chairman. HVI continues to be the preferred and preeminent residential ventilation certification program for ENERGY STAR and federal and state building codes. Consumers, inspectors, architects and builders can be assured that the HVI-Certified products will perform per the certified ratings.

According to their website, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides accreditation in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 65 for product certification programs to ensure that the marketplace can gain confidence for their activities. The program is overseen by the ANSI Product Certification Accreditation Committee (ACC), established by the ANSI Board of Directors. The responsibilities of the committee include approving the key policy documents, reviewing the process of evaluation, accreditation decisions, and monitoring/auditing programs.

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), founded in 1955, is a nonprofit association of the manufacturers of home ventilating products. Through its Certified Ratings Program, HVI provides a voluntary means for residential ventilation manufacturers to report comparable and creditable product performance information based upon uniformly applied testing standards and procedures performed by independent laboratories. Certified performance ratings include airflow, sound and energy.

Today, HVI represents manufacturers from the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe, producing the majority of the residential ventilation products sold in North America. HVI certification is a prerequisite for obtaining the ENERGY STAR rating for mechanical ventilation equipment. For more information, contact HVI at 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214, Wauconda, IL, USA 60084. Telephone: 847-416-7257; fax: 480-559-9722; E-mail: media@hvi.org. Visit the website at www.hvi.org.

For media inquiries contact:

Kim Collins
HVI Public Relations Specialist
1000 N. Rand Rd.
Suite 214
Wauconda, IL  60084
kcollins@tso.net
P: 847-416-7257

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) Release 2011 QuickGuide to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) have announced the release of the 2011 QuickGuide to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) - a concise mini-guide with checklists to help consumers identify simple steps to make their indoor air healthier.  The full QuickGuide text is included below and the formatted full-color version can be downloaded as a PDF, and printed for reference.

DOWNLOAD THE QUICKGUIDE TO IAQ

QuickGuide to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Though invisible, air is the most basic, life-sustaining feature of your home. Preventive measures, ventilation, and daily habits play a role in protecting your home’s precious supply.

Threats to the Breathing Space (or 'Things to Worry About')

Dirt and Dust: Outdoor soil can contain fertilizer, pesticides and more. Tracked in, it becomes part of the indoor dust, which already holds dander, dust mites, plastics, possibly lead or asbestos from indoor sources, etc. As dust becomes airborne, these substances may enter the body and cause symptoms ranging from asthma and allergy flare-ups to even nervous system damage and cancer.

Mold: Airborne mold spores and mold fragments can trigger asthma and allergy episodes.

VOCs: Volatile organic compounds are found in cleaning liquids, paints, solvents and many more household supplies. They volatize or “off gas” into the air. Not all are harmful, but at high levels, many can cause a range of symptoms from short-term irritation to more ominous organ damage and cancer. The impact of lower levels and of mixtures of VOCs is under discussion or unknown, but reducing exposure is generally a good policy.

Formaldehyde: This VOC is used in a wide variety of household products. Manufacturers have scaled back — but in many cases not eliminated — its use. It is a known carcinogen and may also trigger asthma attacks and irritate the eyes and respiratory system. Off gassing can continue for years, decreasing over time.

Asbestos: Found in some insulation, fireproofing materials, acoustic tile and “popcorn” ceilings, these tiny particles can cause lung-tissue damage and cancer. Asbestos containing materials are harmless as long as they stay intact, but disintegration frees the fibers to enter the airspace and the lungs.

Lead: Damaging to the nervous system, lead can enter the air as dust. Blood lead levels have dropped dramatically since the 1980s, indicating that unleaded gasoline and strategies regarding lead paint and lead pipes are working. Continued vigilance in the home is recommended, especially if your home is older.

Moisture: Water leaks and high relative humidity encourage mold growth, dust mite proliferation and increased formaldehyde emissions from building materials, furnishings and other household items. These irritants can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms.

Carbon Monoxide: Fuel-burning appliances and idling cars in attached garages can release carbon monoxide into the home, causing about 500 preventable deaths each year. The gas causes thousands more to become ill.

Radon: Radioactive gas can cause lung cancer — no smoking necessary. The EPA estimates radon causes 21,000 preventable deaths each year. Radon testing is quite inexpensive and almost effort-free.

Three Action Principles (or 'The General Idea')

Eliminate

Often, the most reliable method of protecting yourself from unhealthy exposures in the home is simply to make sure harmful materials and contaminants are not present. Building or furnishing carefully with less hazardous materials, as well as proper cleaning eliminates many health threats.

Separate or Isolate

When removal is not advisable or not possible, reduce exposure by creating a sealed barrier. For example, tight wall construction keeps potentially hazardous insulation particles out of the living space.

Ventilate

Reduce remaining air contaminants by regularly letting stale air out and fresh air in. Balancing in and out airflows in this process provides fresh air for your family and prevents a vacuum from forming and drawing air from a dangerous source like the furnace exhaust.

Action Plan (or 'How to Stop Worrying & Love Your Home')

Regular Habits    

•    Use a central vacuum that exhausts outside, or a well-filtered (e.g., sealed HEPA) portable vacuum.
•    Dust using tools that don’t flip dust into the air.
•    Declutter to remove dust harbors.
•    Sweep entry walks and keep large mats at doors.
•    Remove shoes when coming in from outside.
•    Keep relative humidity at 30% to 50%.
•    Reduce spray and aerosol cleaner use.
•    Use low-VOC cleaning solutions and products.
•    Run exhaust fans while cooking and showering. Open a window slightly if necessary to keep air pressure balanced.
•    Air out bedding daily to release body moistures before making bed; launder weekly in hot water.
•    Continuously use ventilation systems to provide healthful air in the home.

Annual Protections

•    Replace batteries in carbon monoxide alarm(s).
•    Clean and/or inspect furnace ducts and A/C unit.
•    Sweep chimney.
•    Inspect roof and repair as needed.
•    Winterize outdoor faucets.

As Needed

•    Test for radon at least once and as house settles.
•    Fix window leaks — caulking, weather stripping, etc.
•    Check for and repair plumbing leaks.
•    Monthly to quarterly, replace central A/C and ventilator filters with MERV 10 or 11, or the highest-efficiency filtration your units can handle (see manuals).

New Construction & Special Projects

•    Install hard floors or remove old (dust-filled) carpet and replace with low-pile, low-VOC carpeting.
•    Use low- or no-formaldehyde alternatives to traditional particleboard and plywood building materials and furnishings. Substitutes include solid wood or outdoor grade plywood.
•    Apply moisture barriers during flooring foundation and wall construction.
•    Install a whole-house, continuous ventilation system.
•    Build in radiant rather than forced air heat.
•    Create or renew a 5% to 6% grade of soil sloping away from the house, for good drainage.

Hire a Certified Pro

Have a professional handle these in-depth tasks:
•    Deep cleaning carpet and upholstery
•    Cleaning chimney
•    Home inspection
•    HVAC inspection
•    Mold abatement
•    Asbestos remediation
•    Radon mitigation
•    Lead abatement

About the Partnership – HHI and HVI

In 2008, The Healthy House Institute (HHI) and the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) formed an educational partnership to help consumers understand the importance and principles of residential ventilation and indoor air quality.

About HHI

The Healthy House Institute™ (HHI) provides consumers information to make their homes healthier. HHI strives to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes, covering topics in-depth such as air and water quality, building, remodeling and furnishing, cleaning and housekeeping, health and safety, ventilation, lighting, energy efficiency and more.

The Institute’s goal is to reach a mainstream educated consumer with credible information merging the best of ‘green’ with the best of healthier homes research, indoor environmental data, health and medical science, into a practical, timely, easily digestible but comprehensive message. HHI strives to be a truly authoritative voice that has the ‘ear’ and trust of major media, influentials, and most importantly, the intelligent consumer. For more information, contact HHI at 13998 West Hartford Dr., Boise, ID 83713; Telephone: 208-938-3137; Fax: 208-938-3138. Visit the website at www.healthyhouseinstitute.com.

About HVI

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), founded in 1955, is a nonprofit association of the manufacturers of home ventilating products. Through a Certified Ratings Program, HVI provides a voluntary means for residential ventilation manufacturers to report comparable and creditable product performance information based upon uniformly applied testing standards and procedures performed by independent laboratories.

Today, HVI represents manufacturers from the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe, producing the majority of the residential ventilation products sold in North America. For more information, contact HVI at 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214, Wauconda, IL 60084. Telephone: 847-416-7257; Fax: 480-559-9722; E-mail: hvi@hvi.org. Visit the website at www.hvi.org.

White Paper: Victory over VOCs – Energy-Saving Fans and Other Devices Help Keep Indoor Air Fresh

Indoor air quality has been a growing concern, particularly when it comes to newer, energy-efficient homes. While tight, well-insulated homes save money and are better for the environment, they may also trap unhealthy indoor pollutants inside.

What energy-saving homes do well—keep in heat or air conditioning thereby decreasing energy usage—is what also often causes them to retain high levels of harmful compounds in the home air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that concentrations of volatile organic compounds can be up to ten times higher indoors than outdoors.

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are carbon-based gases emitted into the air by common household products or furnishings.

“A few of the more obvious sources are solvents, cleaning products, fuels, and cigarette or wood smoke,” says Allen Rathey, president of the Healthy House Institute (HHI). “But flooring, upholstery, fabrics, paints or varnishes, and cabinetry can also emit VOCs.” Less obvious potential sources are everyday products like cosmetics, dry-cleaned clothing, hobby and craft supplies, newspapers, photocopiers or printers, moth balls, and even air fresheners.

These gases in the home can have a negative effect on the health of the occupants. Fatigue, dizziness, headache, nausea or irritation of nose, eyes, and throat are a few of the more noticeable symptoms of exposure to VOCs. The severity of the health-risk depends on several factors, such as which compounds are emitted (benzene, for example, is a volatile organic compound and a known carcinogen), the concentration levels in the home, and the length of time those living in the home have been exposed.

While steps can be taken to reduce exposure to VOCs, including removing any known sources from the home, given the wide variety of substances having the potential to release these compounds, some exposure is unavoidable. Therefore, it’s vital to ensure the home has adequate, year-round ventilation.

“Good ventilation is critical in order to dilute the concentration of VOCs indoors,” says Jacki Donner, CAE, Executive Director of the non-profit Home Ventilating Institute (HVI). “Mechanical ventilation systems work year-round in any kind of weather to remove the stale air inside the home and bring the fresh air from outside indoors. While older methods often required a trade-off in terms of energy-efficiency and weren’t practical in all weather conditions, modern cost-effective technology including a range of fans and heat or energy recovery ventilation systems are available that preserve energy-efficiency while keeping indoor air fresh in all seasons.”

Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans with high-efficiency motors remove pollutants and moisture in specific areas of the home such as in bathrooms, showers, kitchens, and workshops and utility areas. These include:  

•             Bathroom Exhaust Fans
•             Kitchen Range Hoods
•             Downdraft Kitchen Exhausters

Whole House Comfort Ventilators

A properly located whole house comfort ventilator draws cooler outside air through screened windows and doors, pulls it up through the house and exhausts it, usually through static vents in the attic. With traditional, high-volume whole-house comfort ventilators, the result is a cooling breeze throughout the house. In the evening, the fan provides relief from the day’s heat by flushing the house with cool night air as the outdoor temperature drops.

Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)

For whole house ventilation, Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) bring in outdoor air, circulate it through the home, and expel stale air to the outside while preserving energy. The heat from the exhaust air is retained by the unit’s core, or heat exchanger, and used to warm the air coming in from the outside. In the summer, the process works in reverse, using the cooled exhaust air to remove heat from the air outside. An ERV has the added capability to modulate the moisture, or humidity, that is retained or lost and may be a good choice to minimize the load on cooling systems.

Help for Consumers

Fans for a variety of home applications are readily available from many manufacturers, as are HRVs and ERVs. To ensure that your equipment will perform as advertised, look for systems that have been certified by the Home Ventilating Institute. HVI Certification means that the unit has been tested by a third-party laboratory and meets specific industry standards. Performance data is available for HVI Certified fans as well as HVI Certified HRVs and ERVs.

The Healthy House Institute and the Home Ventilating Institute have produced a helpful Question & Answer e-book that provides information on how home ventilation affects indoor air quality, as well as consumer resources available through HVI. The e-book may be accessed, free of charge, at http://www.jantrain.com/resources/Home_Ventilating_Institute_Question_and_Answer_Book/engage.html.

About HHI

The Healthy House Institute® (HHI) provides consumers information to make their homes healthier. HHI strives to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes, covering topics in-depth such as air and water quality, building, remodeling and furnishing, cleaning and housekeeping, health and safety, ventilation, lighting, energy efficiency and more.

The Institute’s goal is to reach a mainstream educated consumer with credible information merging the best of ‘green’ with the best of healthier homes research, indoor environmental data, health and medical science, into a practical, timely, easily digestible but comprehensive message. HHI strives to be a truly authoritative voice that has the ‘ear’ and trust of major media, influentials, and most importantly, the intelligent consumer. For more information, contact HHI at 13998 West Hartford Dr., Boise, ID 83713; Telephone: 208/938-3137; Fax: 208/938-3138. Visit the Web site at www.healthyhouseinstitute.com.

About HVI

Founded in 1955, the Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) represents a wide range of home ventilating products manufactured by companies in the United States, Canada, Asia, and Europe, producing the majority of the residential ventilation products sold in North America.

HVI’s Certified Ratings Program provides the means for uniform and unbiased comparison of product performance including airflow, sound and energy usage. HVI Certification has been accepted and recognized as the method of performance assurance by many agencies, including Energy Star, ASHRAE Standard 62.2, U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes Program, U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Program, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and the American Lung Association (ALA) Health House Program, among others.

For more information, contact HVI at 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214, Wauconda, IL 60084. Telephone: 847/416-7257; fax: 480/559-9722; E-mail: hvi@hvi.org. Visit the Web site at www.hvi.org.

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) Partners with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA)

Boise, Idaho - In an ongoing effort to improve home health, The Healthy House Institute (HHI) announces its partnership with the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA). As part of the relationship, HHI visitors will be able to access environmental health research made available by NEHA.

“Many homes new and old have unseen contaminants that can negatively affect the health of a home,” said Nelson E. Fabian, Executive Director and CEO of NEHA. “By making experts and research available through HHI, homeowners will be empowered with the resources needed to help ensure their families are not adversely impacted by poor building, home care and maintenance practices.”

As a part of the partnership, Fabian will also serve on HHI’s advisory board and provide ongoing direction on HHI’s content and resources. As the Executive Director of NEHA for more than 25 years, Fabian has achieved numerous accolades. In 2007, he was honored as  “One of the Nation’s Top 15 Leaders in Environmental Health” from the Journal of Environmental Health. He is the recipient of several awards including the prestigious Walter Snyder Award given by the National Science Foundation. In addition, he has been asked to serve on a wide variety of different boards.

Under Fabian’s direction, extensive research has been conducted which will be added to the library of articles available at www.healthyhouseinstitute.com. Visitors will be able to  search by category to find potential home hazards and actual studies from NEHA that highlight housing health impacts.

“Asthma, cancer and a variety of other health conditions can result from contaminants in the home,” added Fabian. “Homes are an ecosystem. As a result, every component of that system including HVAC, pest control, cleaning, water treatment, and more, must be carefully reviewed to keep families safe and healthy. Understanding these relationships is an important step in the direction of fostering a healthy housing environment, and we are pleased to be working with The Healthy House Institute to make this information available to the public."

About The Healthy House Institute

The Healthy House Institute (HHI) provides consumers information to make their homes healthier. HHI strives to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes. HHI treats the home like an ecosystem with many interrelated parts, covering topics in-depth such as air and water quality, building, remodeling and furnishing, cleaning and housekeeping, health and safety, ventilation, lighting, energy efficiency and more. Rather than preaching to the converted, HHI seeks to reach a mainstream educated consumer with credible information merging the best of ‘green’ with the best of healthier homes research, indoor environmental data, health and medical science, into a practical, timely, easily digestible but comprehensive message. HHI strives to be a truly authoritative voice that has the ‘ear’ and trust of major media, influentials, and most importantly, the intelligent consumer.

About NEHA

NEHA is a non-profit association for environmental health professionals. Since 1937, NEHA has been working to advance the environmental health profession for the purpose of improving the human environment in cities, towns, and rural areas throughout the world and creating a more healthful quality of life for all. NEHA’s 4,500+ members practice their profession in the public and private sectors as well as in academia and the uniformed services, with a majority being employed by state and local health departments. In partnership with the National Center for Healthy Housing, NEHA offers the Healthy Homes Specialist Credential. This credential tests an individual’s understanding of the connection between health and housing, enabling a holistic approach to identify and resolve problems that threaten the health and well being of residents. For more information about the National Environmental Health Association, please visit www.neha.org.

Gaining Victory Over VOCs (and Energy Costs) in Tight Winter Homes - Leading Consumer Organizations Say Use Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs)

BOISE ID. Americans tend to button up their houses during winter to save energy and stay warm. This can create indoor air quality problems, including elevated levels of harmful VOCs. Opening up the windows to air the place out and inserting fans may help, but at the expense of the loss of precious - and expensive - heat energy. What can consumers do?

According to the US EPA: “Ventilation systems can be equipped with a heat exchanger that recovers most of the heating and cooling energy from the exhaust air. These are also known as Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) or Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs).”

“It’s the best of both worlds,” said Jacki Golike, CAE, Executive Director of the non-profit Home Ventilating Institute (HVI). “You can have fresh air without losing heat or running up your heating costs.”

Given the timeliness and importance of this information, The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI) and The Healthy House Institute (HHI) - an educational resource whose mission is to help consumers make their homes healthier -  have formed an educational partnership to teach the principles of residential ventilation and a practical awareness of Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) and Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) technology options. Information on and benefits of using mechanical ventilation systems are featured on the Web sites of both organizations. Visit: www.healthyhouseinstitute.com or HHI on Ventilation or visit www.hvi.org or Ventilation Info for Consumers.  In addition, HVI offers a free brochure covering Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) and Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs).  Also, HVI and HHI have partnered to produce a free QuickGuide to Indoor Air Quality as a general indoor air quality resource.

Benefits of Heat Recovery Ventilation

According to the US EPA, balanced ventilation systems can provide many benefits including:

• Improved indoor air quality.  Balanced ventilation systems supply fresh air to the living and sleeping areas of homes while exhausting stale air at an equal rate from other areas. This proactive approach to ventilation can result in improved indoor air quality.
• Improved comfort. ENERGY STAR labeled homes with tight construction and balanced ventilation systems can have fewer drafts and a constant supply of outdoor air resulting in improved comfort.
• Improved health. Stale air can cause health problems. It can be responsible for symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, and respiratory problems. These symptoms are more common in homes with poor ventilation and moisture control. Continuously providing fresh air can result in the improved health and well being of the occupants.
• Lower utility bills. Less energy is consumed to operate ventilation systems than to heat and cool excessive amounts of outdoor air that infiltrates leaky homes. Additional savings are captured when these units are equipped with an energy recovery system or heat exchanger. This can result in lower utility bills, making homes less expensive to operate.
• Improved resale position. ENERGY STAR labeled homes with balanced ventilation systems can provide the many impressive benefits listed including more comfortable homes with better indoor air quality and lower utility bills. These benefits can translate into higher resale value.
  

Backstory on VOCs

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are common indoor air pollutants.  VOCs can originate from a variety of natural and man-made sources. The characteristic odor of mold is composed of VOCs, as is the smell of an orange or an onion. Baking bread also releases VOCs into the air. VOCs are also released, or outgassed, from many manufactured products and home furnishings. Familiar sounding VOCs might include benzene, xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, and ethanol. These can all be released from typical building materials.  Indoor air typically contains 30-100 different VOCs that are readily measurable, and others at low levels that are more difficult to measure. Some VOCs cause no health problems, but others are serious indoor air pollutants. Mixtures of VOCs have undetermined health impacts.
 
About HVI

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI), founded in 1955, is a nonprofit association of the manufacturers of home ventilating products. Through a Certified Ratings Program, HVI provides a voluntary means for residential ventilation manufacturers to report comparable and creditable product performance information based upon uniformly applied testing standards and procedures performed by independent laboratories.

Today, HVI represents manufacturers from the United States, Canada, Asia and Europe, producing the majority of the residential ventilation products sold in North America. For more information, contact HVI at 1000 N. Rand Road, Suite 214, Wauconda, IL 60084. Telephone: 847/526-2010; fax: 847/526-3993; E-mail: hvi@hvi.org. Visit the Web site at www.hvi.org.

About HHI

The Healthy House Institute™ (HHI) provides consumers information to make their homes healthier. HHI strives to be the most comprehensive educational resource available for creating healthier homes, covering topics in-depth such as air and water quality, building, remodeling and furnishing, cleaning and housekeeping, health and safety, ventilation, lighting, energy efficiency and more.

The Institute’s goal is to reach a mainstream educated consumer with credible information merging the best of ‘green’ with the best of healthier homes research, indoor environmental data, health and medical science, into a practical, timely, easily digestible but comprehensive message. HHI strives to be a truly authoritative voice that has the ‘ear’ and trust of major media, influentials, and most importantly, the intelligent consumer. For more information, contact HHI at 13998 West Hartford Dr., Boise, ID 83713; Telephone: 208/938-3137; Fax: 208/938-3138. Visit the Web site at www.healthyhouseinstitute.com.