As homes become tighter, more energy-efficient, and more reliant on advanced building systems, indoor air quality has risen as one of the industry’s most important building science conversations. That focus takes on added relevance in October, recognized as National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating homeowners and industry professionals about the impact indoor environments have on health, comfort, and building performance.
Few people have a better view of that shift than Scott Pierson, vice president of HVAC and market strategy at Parts Town, who works at the intersection of equipment performance, indoor air quality, and emerging HVAC technologies. Below, Pierson discusses how builders can balance energy efficiency with fresh-air exchange, the hidden HVAC decisions that affect homeowners for decades, and why buyers are asking more sophisticated questions about healthy-home features.
How has the conversation around ventilation and indoor air quality changed for builders?
Homes have evolved to become better insulated and more tightly sealed, which is key for comfort and energy efficiency. At the same time, ensuring safe and reliable ventilation and indoor air quality is an important priority when mapping out a home’s infrastructure. Without proper ventilation and air quality system in place, pollutants, moisture, and odors can build up and negatively impact the health of the home and its residents. For builders, conversations surrounding the right ventilation and indoor air quality systems is about striking the balance between keeping conditioned air in while allowing the flow of natural, outdoor air throughout.
What’s the biggest misconception consumers have about the air quality of a brand-new home?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that a brand-new home will automatically have clean and healthy air quality just because it’s a new build. Healthy air quality comes from how efficiently the home’s infrastructure and HVAC systems can manage ventilation and pollutant filtration. As mentioned, while newer homes are more likely to be sealed tighter, this can also mean less natural, outdoor air flow compared to older homes.
What are the most important HVAC and ventilation decisions made during construction that homeowners never see but will live with for decades?
Most HVAC and ventilation decisions made during construction are ones that homeowners never see, from HVAC systems that are tucked away throughout the home to the ductwork and other infrastructure that determines how air will flow throughout the home. These decisions also need to account for each home’s unique factors such as location, climate, and humidity. So, while homeowners might never see all of these components, getting them right during the build ensures extended comfort, healthy air quality, and HVAC performance.
How do builders balance energy efficiency goals with the need for fresh air exchange and healthy indoor air?
While today’s homes are built to be more airtight, which is great for energy efficiency, it also means fresh air can’t enter the home as easily on its own. That’s why it’s important for builders to pair energy-efficient construction with properly designed HVAC and ventilation systems that bring fresh outdoor air in and remove stale indoor air. Regular HVAC maintenance, routine filter changes, and proper system sizing also play a role in maintaining both efficiency and indoor air quality.
How can poor moisture management during construction affect indoor air quality after move-in?
Moisture problems that occur during construction can follow homeowners long after move-in if they’re not properly addressed. Water intrusion around windows, damp building materials, or condensation within an HVAC system can create conditions that cause mold and mildew to grow. Once the HVAC system is running, those containments can circulate throughout the home and impact indoor air quality. In many cases, early signs of moisture issues can be difficult to detect because they’re masked by new-home odors, making proper moisture control during construction essential to protecting both the home and the health of its occupants.
What are the most common installation or system design mistakes that compromise HVAC performance and indoor air quality from day one?
One of the most common mistakes is assuming a new HVAC system should simply match the size of the previous unit. Every home is different, and factors such as insulation levels, window performance, floor plan changes, and occupancy patterns can all impact heating and cooling needs. Proper sizing is critical because an oversized or undersized unit can lead to uneven temperatures, humidity issues, and reduced comfort. Another common issue is skipping important performance checks during installation, such as airflow testing, refrigerant verification, and thermostat calibration. Even the most efficient, modern equipment won’t deliver its intended performance if it hasn’t been installed and tested correctly.
Are buyers beginning to ask more sophisticated questions about air filtration, ventilation, and healthy-home features? If so, what are they most concerned about?
Recently we’ve seen buyers interested in learning about smart HVAC systems and connected home technologies to help their system run more efficiently and safely. Sustainability has become a priority across residential and commercial properties, so leveraging efficient systems like improved insulation, sealed leaks, and utilizing natural lighting can be excellent HVAC hacks.
How should builders think about filtration today? Has the definition of a high-performing HVAC system changed over the past five to 10 years?
Builders should think about filtration as a standard feature rather than an optional upgrade. Modern builds rely heavily on high-efficiency appliances, and filtered water can help maintain these appliances over time. Planning the filtration blueprint in the building process also helps avoid issues and retrofitting later on.
The definition of a high-performing HVAC system has evolved most simply due to the advances made in technology, for example what we see with smart thermostats and self-diagnostics. These types of upgrades have helped buyers save on energy usage, without having to do too much or constantly manually change settings.
If you were advising a builder designing a new home today, what are the three most important indoor air quality features you would prioritize and why?
It may seem common sense, but the below three points should be kept in mind when improving the overall indoor air quality of your home. It’s less about sophisticated features and more about how to best maintain the indoor air quality in a home.
- Integrate Air Purification Systems: Using air purifiers and dehumidifiers is a great way to keep the indoor air quality of a home at good levels. Once you have the right equipment, you can rest assured the air will be cleaner and you won’t have to hire a professional to rid the air of mass amounts of pollutants.
- Change HVAC Filters: Your home’s HVAC system should be cleaned regularly. Make sure the filters are changed to prevent dust and other pollutants from circulating through the air. If the air filters are clogged, this will interrupt the airflow and cause a buildup of dust, mildew, and debris.
- Avoid Indoor Pollutants: The best thing to do is avoid indoor air pollutants as much as possible. There are a couple of ways to do this. Start by replacing harsh cleaning chemicals with eco-friendly ones that have no strong chemical smells. Then, make sure to keep the space clean by vacuuming and dusting daily. You can also use mold test kits to identify any issues within your home.
PartPredictor is changing how technicians approach a repair. It helps them have the most likely parts needed already in hand, avoid return trips, and get equipment fixed faster than ever before. That means less downtime of a home’s HVAC system and helps to get it back up and running faster.
