Award Number: DE-EE0008186CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.1Building Technologies OfficeLocation(s): FLOffice(s): Golden Field Office
Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance
August 10, 2017
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Characterization of Indoor Air Quality in New Homes in the Southeastern United States
Award Number: DE-EE0008186
CX(s) Applied: A9, B5.1
Building Technologies Office
Location(s): FL
Office(s): Golden Field Office
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to provide federal funding to the University of Central Florida Board of Trustees to measure concentrations and profiles of humidity and established contaminants of concern in new homes located in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas (Climate Zones 2 and 3). Protocol development, data analysis and performing of intellectual, academic and analytical activities would occur at the University of Central Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, Florida.
Project activities include the collection of pollutant, airflow, and building/HVAC system characteristics in new residential homes. Residences to be instrumented, monitored, and tested have yet to be determined but all test homes would be existing newly constructed homes. No physical modifications or ground disturbing activities would be required and no change in the use of the home would result from project activities. No modifications to permits or new permits, additional licenses and/or authorizations would be necessary for proposed project activities. Part of the proposed testing protocol calls for testing of a home’s air exchange rate with nitrous oxide, a nontoxic tracer gas. Approximately 4 pounds would be used in total. Gas would be contained in commercially available systems in a manner compliant with all codes and standards during transport and use. No hazardous waste or chemicals would be generated as a result of the project. DOE does not anticipate any impacts to resources of concern due to the proposed activities of the project.