ARE YOU LIVING CERTIFIED GREEN?

ARE YOU LIVING CERTIFIED GREEN? 

III. Indoor Environmental Quality

All duct connections must be sealed and tight with a UL-listed mastic product. All supply and return boot-to-house connection properly sealed and U.L. Class 1 pliable sealant or caulk.

Install hardwired CO detectors to detect build-up of carbon monoxide – a colorless and odorless gas.

Provide fresh air and ventilation throughout the house through your HVAC system. This requires an electronic air cleaner or special filter performance metric. We recommend installing a “Fresh Air” economizer system that not only provides a controlled air flow but also saves energy.

Spot ventilation is also needed for kitchen and bathrooms capable of exhausting to the outside the code required volume of air.

All living rooms (except bath and kitchen) should not exceed a pressure differential of +/- 3 parcels with respect to the outside when interior door are closed and the air handler is operating. The system must be balanced per each room.

Tub and shower surrounds must be backed with water resistant materials and in hot humid climates. Vinyl wall paper is not advised.

Paints should contain low level of VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) resulting in better indoor air quality. VOC’s can off-gas from solids or liquids.

Carpets should be CRI (Carpet Rug Institute) labeled which also requires low-VOC emissions. The installation should be with low VOC tack strips and underlayment free of urea formaldehyde. If your floor area exceeds 70% of the total consider installing an approval central vacuum system.

Interior walls by bedrooms, baths and utility rooms should be acoustical sound controlled by using sound board. Second story floors should contain gyp crete or insulation, giving a coefficiency performance of 37-39, QUIET!

I

nstall an advanced (IEQ) equipment package – source elimination, ventilation, cleaning, purification and monitoring. HEPA filtration, germicidal lamp and other components based on your location and climate.

For house construction, go to www.EstimateConstructionCostFirst.com.