Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ)
- Total Available Points for EQ: 21
- Total Expected Points for EQ: 16
- Total Possible Points for EQ: 4
Credit 2 - Combustion Venting
- Total Available Points: 2
- Total Expected Points: 2
Intent
Minimize the leakage of combustion gases into the occupied space of the home.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- 2.1 Basic Combustion-Venting Measures. Meet all the following requirements.
- a) No unvented combustion appliances (e.g., decorative logs) are allowed.
- b) Carbon monoxide (CO) monitor must be installed on each floor (per code).
- c) All fireplaces, woodstoves and pellet stoves are either EPA-certified or meet the CSA B 415 standard, except high-performance masonry heaters and wood cook stoves.
- d) Space and water heating equipment that involves combustion must meet one of the following:
- i) it must be designed and installed with closed combustion (i.e., sealed supply air and exhaust ducting);
- ii) it must be designed and installed with power-vented exhaust; or
- iii) it must be located in a detached utility building or open-air facility.
All these will be met.
Credits
- 2.2 Enhanced Combustion-Venting Measures (maximum 2 points).
We will obtain these 2 points by not installing a fireplace or wood stove.
Credit 3 - Moisture Control
- Total Available Points: 1
- Total Expected Points: 1
Intent
Control indoor moisture levels to provide comfort, reduce the risk of mould, and increase the durability of the home.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- None.
Credits
- 3.1 Moisture Load Control (1 point).
We will obtain this point by installing dehumidification equipment with sufficient latent capacity to maintain relative humidity at or below 60%.
Credit 4 - Outdoor Air Ventilation
- Total Available Points: 3
- Total Expected Points: 3
Intent
Reduce occupant exposure to indoor pollutants by ventilating with outdoor air.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- 4.1 Basic Outdoor Air Ventilation. Design and install a whole-building ventilation system that complies with CSA F326 Residential Mechanical Ventilations Systems or ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Sections 4 and 7. A summary of alternatives is provided below, but the HVAC contractor should review and follow the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2, Sections 4 and 7 or CSA F326.
We will be sure that all prerequisites are met.
Credits
- 4.2 Enhanced Outdoor Air Ventilation (2 points).
We will obtain these 2 points by installing a heat-recovery ventilator (HRV).
- 4.3 Third-Party Performance Testing (1 point).
We will obtain this point by having a third party test the flow rate of air brought into the home, and verifying that the requirements of CSA F326 Residential Mechanical Ventilations Systems are met.
Credit 5 - Local Exhaust
- Total Available Points: 2
- Total Expected Points: 1
- Total Possible Points: 1
Intent
Reduce moisture and exposure to indoor pollutants in kitchens and bathrooms.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- 5.1 Basic Local Exhaust. Meet all the following requirements:
- a) Design and install local exhaust systems in all bathrooms (including half-baths) and kitchens to meet the requirements of NBC sct. 9.32 or local prevailing code, whichever is more stringent. Sample requirements that relate to minimum intermittent local exhaust flow rates are shown in Table 31, below.
- b) Design and install the fans and ducts to meet the requirements of NBC sct. 9.32 or local prevailing code, whichever is more stringent.
- c) Exhaust air to the outdoors (i.e., exhaust to attics or interstitial spaces is not permitted).
- d) Use ENERGY STAR-labeled bathroom exhaust fans (except for exhaust fans serving multiple bathrooms). The sound level of the sone will not exceed one sone.
All will be met
Credits
- 5.2 Enhanced Local Exhaust (1 point).
We will obtain this point by having an automatic timer to operate the bathroom fan for a timed interval after occupant leaves the room. The sound level of the fan will not exceed one sone.
- 5.3 Third-Party Performance Testing (1 point).
We will anticipate this point by having a third-party testing of exhaust air flow rate out of home for compliance with NBC or local prevailing code, whichever is more stringent.
Credit 6 - Distribution of Space Heating and Cooling
- Total Available Points: 3
- Total Expected Points: 1
- Total Possible Points: 2
Intent
Provide appropriate distribution of space heating and cooling in the home to improve thermal comfort and energy performance.
Requirements
- A. Forced-Air Systems:
Prerequisites
- 6.1 Room-by-Room Load Calculations.
- Perform design calculations using CSA F280, the HRAI Standard for Residential Design, the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, or an equivalent computation procedure, and install ducts accordingly.
Credits
- 6.2 Return Air Flow (1 point).
We will obtain this point by ensuring that every room (except baths, kitchens, closets, pantries, and laundry rooms) has adequate return air flow through the use of multiple returns, transfer grilles, or jump ducts.
- 6.3 Third-Party Performance Test (2 points).
We will anticipate 2 points here by passing the 3rd party testing.
Credit 7 - Air Filtering
- Total Available Points: 2
- Total Expected Points: 2
Intent
Reduce particulate matter from the air supply system.
Requirements
- A. Forced-Air Systems
Prerequisites
- 7.1 Good Filters. Install air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) ≥ 8 and ensure that air handlers can maintain an appropriate system pressure drop. Air filter housings must be airtight to prevent bypass or leakage.
Credits
- 7.2 Better Filters (1 point).
OR
- 7.3 Best Filters (2 points).
We will obtain these 2 points by installing air filters ≥ MERV 13 and ensure that air handlers can maintain an appropriate system pressure drop. Air filter housings must be airtight to prevent bypass or leakage.
Credit 8 - Contaminant Control
- Total Available Points: 4
- Total Expected Points: 3
Intent
Reduce occupants’ and construction workers’ exposure to indoor airborne contaminants through source control and removal.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- None.
Credits
- 8.1 Indoor Contaminant Control During Construction (1 point).
We will obtain this point by upon installation, sealing all permanent ducts and vents to minimize contamination during construction. Removing any seals after all phases of construction are completed.
- 8.2 Indoor Contaminant Control (1 point each, maximum 2 points).
We will obtain 1 point by installing a central vacuum system with exhaust to the outdoors. The exhaust will not be near any ventilation air intake.
- 8.3 Preoccupancy Flush (1 point).
We will obtain this point by flushing the home with fresh air, according to the following guidelines:
- a) Flush prior to occupancy after all phases of construction is completed.
- b) Flush the entire home, keeping all interior doors open.
- c) Flush for 48 hours; the hours may be nonconsecutive, if necessary
- d) Keep all windows open and run a fan (e.g., HVAC system fan) continuously; or flush the home with all HVAC fans and exhaust fans operating continuously at the highest flow rate.
- e) Use additional fans to circulate air within the home.
- f) Replace or clean HVAC air filter afterward, as necessary.
Credit 9 - Radon Protection
- Total Available Points: 1
- Total Expected Points: 0
- Total Possible Points: 1
Intent
Reduce occupant exposure to radon gas and other soil gas contaminants.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- 9.1 Radon-Resistant Construction:
- Passive ventilation. A passive sub-slab or sub-membrane depressurization system is installed with the ability to add active underslab ventilation if and when it is confirmed to be needed. Gas can flow under the membrane or foundation to a vent pipe that exhausts radon from the house using a natural draft. Testing is an alternative and if no radon issues are present, then the prerequisite has been met.
Credits
- 9.2 Radon-Resistant Construction (1 point).
Active sub-slab depressurization system is installed.
We are investigating this.
Credit 10 - Garage Pollutant Protection
- Total Available Points: 3
- Total Expected Points: 3
Intent
Reduce occupant exposure to indoor pollutants originating from an adjacent garage.
Requirements
Prerequisites
- 10.1 No HVAC in Garage.
Place all air-handling equipment and ductwork outside the fire-rated envelope of the garage.
Credits
- 10.2 Minimize Pollutants from Garage (2 points).
AND/OR
- 10.3 Exhaust Fan in Garage (1 point).
OR
- 10.4 Detached Garage or No Garage (3 points).
We will obtain these 3 points as the garage is detached.