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Design

Breathe easier with PATH's new Tech Set

Improved air quality in your home begins with these recommendations

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Improving homes’ indoor air quality through design, materials selection and maintenance is the focus of the latest Tech Set by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH).

Tech Set No. 9, Indoor Air Quality, outlines the three basic steps that ensure a comfortable and allergen-free indoor environment. These steps include designing and building the home to ensure it continuously performs properly; controlling contaminants at their source; and properly maintaining the home and its environs. Through written material and diagrams, the Tech Set outlines how quality building practices, homeowner vigilance and products such as low-VOC paint, radon detectors and customized HVAC units can improve air quality.

As builders, remodelers, and homeowners focus on energy efficiency, less fresh air leaks into homes and indoor air quality can become a concern. Cooking odors, excess humidity, dust, mold spores, chemical fumes, radon, and combustion by-products are among the potential irritants. Although most people aren’t significantly affected by this indoor air cocktail, the long-term effects are still being evaluated.

Developed by the NAHB Research Center and released through PATH, the Tech Sets are a series of innovation packages designed to encourage a systems approach to technology integration. Earlier Tech Sets provide guidance on topics including resource-efficient plumbing, energy-efficient lighting, solar power, and green kitchen remodeling, among other topics. All Tech Sets can be accessed online at http://www.pathnet.org/sp.asp?id=13675.

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Fine Homebuilding receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

8067 All-Weather Flashing Tape

Available in 2- to 12-in. widths, this is a good general-purpose flashing tape that sticks well to most things. It features a two-piece release paper, water-shedding layers, and good UV resistance.
Buy at Amazon

Reliable Crimp Connectors

These reliable, high-quality connectors from Wirefy work on 10-22-gauge wire have heat-shrink insulation to keep out water and road salt.
Buy at Amazon

Affordable IR Camera

This camera is super useful for tracking down air leaks in buildings. The one-hand pistol grip arrangement frees your other hand for steadying yourself while maneuvering tricky job sites.
Buy at Amazon

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