Comments on: A Burnt Grilled Cheese and the Collapse of Indoor Air Quality https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/ Building science knowledge, HVAC design, & fun Mon, 21 Oct 2024 21:57:03 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 By: Galen Wallace https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41868 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:48:45 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41868 🤷 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-80V-max-40V-max-X2-XGT-Brushless-Cordless-14-in-Power-Cutter-Kit-8-0Ah-GEC01PL/322342179]]> In reply to Allison Bailes.

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]]> By: Bob https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41849 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 02:35:41 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41849 I f you happen to have dry eye, as do many that live in cold climates, it is a very good.(although miserable) indicator of particulates.

]]> By: David Eakin https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41838 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:21:13 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41838 Great article! It’s very good to see more definitive research on IAQ (I need to thoroughly read the report to see if any study of exposure duration was included), as well as more affordable IAQ monitoring equipment (just wish it would become a standard part of every home, not just a thermometer/thermostat).
This study, your experience (and the experience of many others) as well as my own observations about our local outdoor AQI (I live in an area that has fairly frequent AQI alerts for ozone as well as natural PM2.5 sources) just reinforces how obstinate the practice of building houses with leaky, openable windows is. Imagine houses that only had fixed windows (of minimal size and effective placement) for cold weather solar gain or to allow a truly scenic view. No more huge windows facing the street (or near by neighbors) so you need to have indoor drapes/window treatments for privacy or shade; much less concern of unauthorized access; a screen room/gazebo for those hours you want to experience a bug-free, sheltered outdoor environment. Total reliance on mechanical systems to regulate comfort and IAQ. No more “street-side money view; look like a European country manor house” design. Unfortunately, most residential developments in the USA have neither rational in their plot placement design to promote this house design, but elements can still usually be incorporated.

]]> By: Brad Kitson https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41837 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:50:29 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41837 Which IAQ monitor would you recommend?

]]> By: M shore https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41836 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 15:14:09 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41836 Please write about or tell me where you have commented on the two subjects below:
1. Cross bracing between floor joists. My 20 year old house does not have braces or blocking. When bought the house two years ago the inspector suggested installation. This single story ranch of 1450 square feet over a full unfinished basement feels solid not live
2. Before adding ( or not) those braces or blocks i would like your ideas about adding insulation below the floor The house has uninsulated metal ducts carrying forced air to floor registers. The same inspector advised that this set up is fine and protected the basement

]]> By: Lloyd Alter https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41835 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 14:44:52 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41835 That National Academies report is amazing, I’ve been reading it all morning! You are going to have to add a caveat to your Naked People Need Building Science post:

“Activities that were found to lead to high exposure to resuspended and shed particles were those that involved vigorous movement and those that disturbed dust reservoirs present on furniture and textiles, such as walking, dancing, dusting, folding clothes, making a bed, jumping on the bed.”

No more jumping on the bed!

]]> By: Allison Bailes https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41834 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:43:50 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41834 In reply to Tim Chapin.

Tim: We began with asbestos remediation, and they set up the plastic barrier to separate the work zone from the rest of the house. We left it in place and I kept my exhaust fan going when they were done, and we added more fans as needed. But yeah, it definitely wasn’t adequate on 26 Feb.

]]> By: Allison Bailes https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41833 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:41:59 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41833 In reply to Norman Bunn.

Norman: It sure is nice to have these consumer-grade IAQ monitors available. The actual numbers don’t matter as much as the trends, so you can monitor an event, like high VOCs in your case, and take appropriate measures until the indoor air has improved. I’ve been modulating my basement exhaust fan use a lot this summer because the more I run it, the more heat and humidity I bring indoors.

]]> By: Tim Chapin https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41832 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:28:33 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41832 Who did the containment and negative air pressure? It seems from your description of both the results upstairs, and the cloud in the basement that it wasn’t adequate.

I have experienced similar short term results with “catastrophic” events like cooking issues! EVERY time my wife cooks something without first turning on the kitchen range exhaust the CO2 and particulate goes into the red zone!

]]> By: Norman Bunn https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/a-burnt-grilled-cheese-and-the-collapse-of-indoor-air-quality/#comment-41831 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 13:22:11 +0000 https://www.energyvanguard.com/?p=9122#comment-41831 Had a similar experience when repainting my gas log enclosure front (yes, it is sealed, uses outside air for combustion and is vented outside) since it got scraped during construction. I had doors and windows open, and vent fans running as I used the high-heat engine paint to touch up (the doors were painted outside). Regardless, my Awair device’s VOC levels went through the roof! Like yours, the levels quickly recovered to a more normal range.

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