Understanding Air Quality in Your Home Can Save You Money, Future-Proof Your Building, and Improve Your Family’s Health
For the owners and residents of 70 Limerick city buildings, the past year has been spent uncovering the secrets of their indoor air quality. They joined a project to monitor their air quality over the past year, and what they discovered has had a significant impact on how they live and plan for their buildings’ futures.
The SMARTLAB project has been testing the impact of smart technology by installing indoor environment and electricity sensors in city buildings and working directly with building users to assess results. Initially, people were motivated to join the project to learn more about their electricity use, with saving money on their electricity bills being a strong incentive.
But two years in, it’s the indoor environment sensor and the information it provides about building air quality that has made the greatest difference. The sensors measure temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and chemical pollutants in the air from sources like cleaning products and fuels. They have a large screen that gives each reading, with an overall indicator—smiley, neutral, or sad face.
When a sensor in your kitchen tells you that the air you and your family are breathing is unhealthy, it turns out you pay attention. Few of us fully understand how our activities inside our homes and workspaces affect the air, let alone how to fix it. Moreover, some common retrofit measures meant to make buildings more insulated and warmer might actually make them less healthy.
Across SMARTLAB project buildings, humidity levels consistently hover above the top end of recommended levels. We know that relative humidity indoors should stay between 30% and 60%, ideally around 50%. In every single building in the project, relative humidity levels exceed 60% more than half the time. High indoor moisture can lead to damp conditions, which can exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma and encourage mould and fungal growth.
According to Maria, a Limerick building owner, there is strong evidence worldwide that damp indoor conditions have a negative impact on health. Damp conditions can also damage buildings, with an estimated 75-80% of all building envelope problems caused by moisture. Early signs of damage might include paint or wallpaper damage and plaster deterioration. Prolonged damp will corrode building materials—wood, brick, cement—causing them to decay.
As a result of these findings, SMARTLAB participants have been experimenting with changes to improve their indoor air quality. A first step is behavioral changes. Opening windows more often improves humidity levels and reduces CO2 and contaminant levels. Excessive CO2 can affect concentration and lead to headaches, while various compounds are released through cooking, cleaning, and maintenance activities.
Using an extractor fan during cooking is sensible as it minimizes moisture released by boiling and frying. Avoiding the drying of laundry indoors is also beneficial since a full load of wet laundry releases three liters of water while drying. If laundry must be dried indoors or in high occupancy buildings with underpowered heating or weak insulation, a dehumidifier could be a solution.
While not ideal from an energy-saving perspective, a small dehumidifier uses a fraction of the energy a tumble dryer does. Many participants are also planning to install mechanical heat recovery systems, which filter and circulate air without sacrificing temperature. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland will provide a grant of €1,500 towards a mechanical ventilation system and up to €4,000 for complete windows upgrades as part of their National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme.
A cross-section of Irish participants—homeowners, renters, retail managers, small business owners, managers of cultural and heritage buildings—have been empowered by smart technology that gives them a new perspective on the air they breathe. With indoor air quality becoming a priority in Ireland’s massive national retrofit program to raise Building Energy Rating (BER) levels, our buildings will not just become more energy-efficient but also more comfortable, durable, and healthy.
The SMARTLAB project is funded by SEAI and led by the University of Limerick.
Conclusion:
The SMARTLAB project has unequivocally demonstrated the transformative potential of smart technology in improving indoor air quality, future-proofing buildings, and enhancing family health. Over the past year, the project has engaged 70 Limerick city building owners and residents in a complete assessment of their indoor air quality. Initially driven by the desire to lower electricity bills, participants soon discovered the profound impact of indoor habitat sensors.
These sensors, which measure temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and chemical pollutants, provide real-time data that has reshaped how these building users live and plan for the future. the visual feedback from the sensors—via a clear, smiley/neutral/sad face indicator—has made it impractical to ignore. When these sensors indicate unhealthy air quality,it prompts immediate attention and action.
The findings of the SMARTLAB project highlight a critical issue: high indoor humidity levels, often above 60%, can lead to damp conditions, exacerbating respiratory issues and other health concerns. This issue is not unique to the SMARTLAB participants; it underscores a broader challenge in Ireland and many other regions, where traditional retrofit measures aimed at insulation and warmth can inadvertently compromise indoor air quality.
the implications are multifaceted. By integrating smart sensors and monitoring systems, building owners can not only save money on their energy bills but also create healthier living environments. This not only reduces the burden on healthcare systems but also contributes to a more resilient and enduring future.
understanding and improving indoor air quality is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity.the SMARTLAB project serves as a paradigm for leveraging smart technology to drive climate action and improve public health. As Ireland embarks on a national retrofit program to enhance the BER (Building Energy Rating) levels of its building stock, prioritizing indoor air quality must be at the forefront. By doing so, Ireland can ensure that its buildings are not only energy-efficient but also more agreeable, durable, and healthy for generations to come.
Conclusion: Understanding Air Quality in Your Home Can Save You Money, Future-Proof Your Building, and Improve Your Family’s Health
The SMARTLAB project has demonstrated that monitoring indoor air quality is not onyl crucial for your family’s health but also a savvy way to save money and future-proof your building.By deploying smart sensors in over 70 Limerick city buildings, the project has provided residents with real-time data on temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, and chemical pollutants in the air. This tangible data has significantly influenced residents’ daily habits and long-term plans for their buildings.
Initially motivated by the prospect of saving on electricity bills, participants soon realized the profound impact of these sensors on their indoor surroundings. The sensors’ user-kind interface, featuring a large screen with readings and a smiley/neutral/sad face indicator, ensured that residents took notice of unhealthy air conditions. By understanding the relationship between their activities and air quality, residents have begun to make informed decisions about their indoor environment.
The project highlights the critical issue of high indoor moisture levels, which often exceed recommended thresholds of 60% relative humidity. This persistent dampness can exacerbate respiratory issues like asthma and foster mould and fungal growth, damaging buildings over time. The evidence is clear: damp indoor conditions are detrimental to both human health and building longevity.
In response to these findings, participants have initiated behavioral changes and infrastructure upgrades. Simple actions like opening windows more often, using extractor fans during cooking, and avoiding indoor laundry drying have shown significant benefits. Some have also opted for mechanical heat recovery systems, which improve air circulation without compromising temperature. Financial assistance from SEAI’s National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme has encouraged more participants to invest in mechanical ventilation systems and window upgrades.
The SMARTLAB project’s culmination underscores the linkage between indoor air quality, building efficiency, and occupant health.As Ireland progresses with its massive national retrofit program to enhance Building Energy rating (BER) levels, prioritizing indoor air quality is no longer an optional strategy but a necessity. By integrating smart technology and leveraging expert insights from the SMARTLAB project, we can transform our buildings into not only more energy-efficient structures but also healthier and more pleasant living spaces.
The SMARTLAB project,funded by SEAI and lead by the University of limerick,has successfully empowered a diverse cohort of building users with the knowledge and tools needed to tackle the critical issue of indoor air quality. This initiative serves as a beacon for national efforts aimed at decarbonizing our built environment while safeguarding public health and reducing the economic burden associated with poor air quality. By focusing on indoor air quality, we can future-proof our buildings, enhance occupant health, and create a more sustainable living environment for generations to come.
