I have a new home that is well insulated, well constructed and very tight. Since there is very little outside air infiltration, doesn’t this mean I shouldn’t worry about air quality?
To conserve energy, modern homes are built to be increasingly airtight. Yet most indoor air contains higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air — sometimes two- to five-times higher, according to the U.S. EPA. When we seal in warm and cool air at home, we also trap pollutants, such as the chemicals released from carpets and cleaning products, bacteria, and emissions from combustion appliances. Indoor humidity levels that are too high, or too low, also can affect the well being of occupants, and the durability of the home itself.
