Over the last several years, new research has underlined the significant role that air distribution systems play in the indoor air quality of commercial buildings. At the same time, technological innovations in duct design and remediation have led to changing standards and tighter regulatory codes. This presentation will review key updates to the ASHRAE 62.1 standard for ventilation and indoor air quality, the SMACNA duct design manual for energy efficiency and other related industry guidelines. We will look at recent study results that highlight the size and scope of the problems associated with building ventilation and the direct correlation between duct leakage rates, energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

The findings of a recent survey of building professionals highlight a significant problem plaguing most U.S. building today – leaky ductwork and ventilation shafts. Nearly 75% of those surveyed believe a leakage rate of 30% or more is common in most U.S. buildings and these leaks are responsible for significant energy loss as well as poor indoor air quality. By all estimates, this near ubiquitous problem has been tolerated for one primary reason – there simply has been no viable solution. In 2008, engineering firm Steven Winters Associates (SWA), using innovative new technologies, began to change this reality by completing the first comprehensive building ventilation retrofit for improving indoor air quality performance. Since the completion of this retrofit project, thousands of similar multifamily apartments with central ventilation have been retrofitted for higher energy performance and improved indoor air quality. This presentation will look at the size and scope of the problem, its impact on indoor air quality and other building performance issues. We will examine innovative new technologies from the U.S. Department of Energy and elsewhere that are changing the way building engineers, facility managers and others are resolving this previously unsolvable problem for schools, hotels, hospitals, apartments and other existing buildings.

Recent studies by the U.S. Department of Energy surprised many industry professionals with findings that indicate the single biggest contributor to poor indoor air quality is leaky ventilation systems. The DOE estimates that 80% of U.S. buildings today lose 20% to 60% of their efficiency through these leaks. Unfortunately, the problem has been all but ignored due to the ineffectiveness of current duct sealing methods. To address this problem, the U.S. Department of Energy sponsored research that led to the development of an innovative approach to ventilation rehabilitation that works from the inside of the ventilation shafts to locate and seal leaks. The introduction of aerosol-based duct sealing technology is changing the rules on IAQ strategies for both new construction and renovation projects across the globe.

Innovative breakthroughs are having a real impact on the HVAC industry, redefining the role of these professionals as a major provider of indoor comfort and improved indoor air quality expertise. Making the transition into the home performance market, however, can be a daunting task that effects all aspects of the business – from sales and marketing to employee training to expanding service offerings.

A tight building envelope is generally considered the cornerstone of overall building performance. Recent breakthroughs in envelope sealing technology have transformed a complex and often ineffective multi-stage process into a simple, highly effective single-step procedure. This presentation will review the role that envelope sealing plays in overall building performance, the various processes employed by traditional envelope sealing and an in-depth look at recent innovations in the field.