CHECKLIST
RESIDENTIAL (single-family) PROPERTIES
First impressions: signs of potential issues
- General sensation of indoor environmental quality (comfort, stuffy, dank, musty odors, nearby dirt roads, etc.)
- Signs of water entry/damage. Water stains on ceilings or basement walls; moldy window sills; condensation on windows, etc.
- Local humidity conditions and presence of dehumidification if indicated (Dust mites—a key human allergen--thrive in more humid environments.
- Draftiness (potential comfort problems when outdoor temperatures hotter or cooler than desired, or humidity levels high)
Major concerns
- Presence of unvented heater
- Traditional wood fireplace
- Visible mold that is more than one square foot in area, and/or in multiple locations
- Home located on major thoroughfare or within 100 m downwind of freeway (particularly with heavy diesel truck traffic)
- Signs of combustion gas spillage from venting appliances (scale, peeling paint from excess temperatures, etc.)
- Other visibly problematic combustion venting issues, e.g. disconnected vent, downward sloping vent, extremely long vents and/or lots of 90s
- History of moisture-related repairs
Other concerns
- Absence of a operable venting range hood (noisy hoods are unlikely to be used)
- Smell of tobacco smoke from previous smoking (smoking-related combustion products, particularly nicotine, are absorbed by many building materials and slowly emitted in the future)
- Absence of operable exhaust fan in each shower/bath room and each toilet room
- Carpeting (generally considered worse for IAQ)
- Unvented combustion appliances (stoves, water heaters, dryers, etc.). If vented, are connections tight and are pipes upward-sloping and in good condition?
- Evidence of pests (adds to allergen burden and increases the likelihood of pesticide use)
- Presence of pets
Positive factors
- Certifications that include IAQ considerations (LEED, Home Performance with ENERGY STAR / IAQ Plus, etc.)
- Presence of low-emissions building materials
- Airtight building shell, e.g., <5 ach 50 (reduces infiltration rate of outdoor particles and ozone and can also reduce unwanted airflow up from basement/crawl or down from attic)
- Well-sealed forced air ducts (reduced air entry from attached spaces where ducts reside)
- Presence of whole-house mechanical ventilation (only helpful / necessary if house is relatively tight, e.g. <7 ach)
- Direct vent appliances (less likely to be source of indoor pollutants)
- In hot-humid regions, presence of air conditioning is typically a net positive, as it allows home to be closed at times when outdoor air pollution is typically higher and also provides dehumidification
- Vented or appropriately sealed crawl space
Measurements performed by third parties
- Temperatures / temperature variations
- Blower-door tests
- Fan flow rates (cfm/sf) – many caveats
- Combustion safety tests
- Duct-leakage tests
- Radon (consult US maps from EPA re: local risk … basements worse, etc.)
NON-RESIDENTIAL / INCOME PROPERTIES - needs will vary by property/occupancy type
First impressions: signs of potential issues
- General sensation of indoor environmental quality (comfort, stuffy, dank, musty odors, nearby dirt roads, etc.)
- Signs of water entry/damage. Water stains on ceilings or basement walls; moldy window sills; condensation on windows, etc.
- Local humidity conditions and presence of dehumidification if indicated (Dust mites—a key human allergen--thrive in more humid environments.
- Draftiness (potential comfort problems when outdoor temperatures hotter or cooler than desired, or humidity levels high)
- Interview building managers and access occupant complaint logs (e.g. comfort).
- Absenteeism rates
- Signs of water entry/damage. Water stains on ceilings or basement walls; moldy window sills; condensation on windows, etc.
- Local humidity regimes, with some sort of risk classification. (Dust mites—a key human allergen--thrive in more humid environments.
- Local outdoor air quality (PM and O3 are particularly important)
- Comfort indicators: temperature is related to work performance, satisfaction with air quality, prevalence of some health symptoms.
- History of moisture-related repairs
Major concerns
- Inadequate HVAC separation of attached garage areas from occupied spaces.
- Presence of unvented combustion equipment
- Traditional wood fireplace
- Visible mold that is more than one square foot in area, and/or in multiple locations
- Building located on major thoroughfare or within 100 m downwind of freeway (particularly with heavy diesel truck traffic)
- Signs of combustion gas spillage from venting equipment (scale, peeling paint from excess temperatures, etc.)
- Other visibly problematic combustion venting issues, e.g. disconnected vent, downward sloping vent, extremely long vents and/or lots of 90s
- History of moisture-related repairs
- Inadequate dehumidification
Other concerns
- Smell of tobacco smoke from previous smoking (smoking-related combustion products, particularly nicotine, are absorbed by many building materials and slowly emitted in the future)
- Inadequate cooking exhaust ventilation (known to be particularly inadequate in grocery stores) – some standards coming in Calif. Dedicated exhaust must be present
Positive factors
- Certifications that include IAQ considerations (LEED, ENERGY STAR, Green Globes, etc.)
- Natural ventilation (including operable windows and outside air economizers). Pros/cons: reduced sick-building syndrome, but increased exposure to outdoor pollutants.
- Recent of commissioning processes and interventions, if any
- Presence of low-emissions building materials
- Well-sealed forced air ducts (reduced air entry from attached spaces where ducts reside)
Measurements performed by third parties
- Temperatures / temperature variations
- CO2 levels – may be logged by building automation system
- Blower-door tests
- Combustion safety tests
- Duct-leakage tests
- Carbon dioxide (sensors and associated controls required by some codes).