Journal of Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor Environmental Quality Improves The Learning Process

"...air quality and temperatures in classrooms are important factors in the learning process and improving them should be given as much priority as improving teaching materials and methods."

Image and Text: © 2006, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (www.ashrae.org). Published in ASHRAE Journal Vol. 48, Oct. 2006. Reprinted with permission. Additional reproduction, distribution, or transmission in either print or digital form is not permitted without ASHRAE’s prior written permission.

RBc: For those who care about our educational system...suggested reading - ASHRAE Final Report 1257-RP, Indoor Environmental Effects On The Performance Of School Work By Children.

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My Body My House Written by Lisa Beres and illustrated by Juila Woolf

Excerpt Source: Jennifer Lance, Green Family Values at Green Options

"With environmental issues on the forefront of many peoples minds these days, there has been an increase of children's literature on the subject. My Body My House is one such book that focuses on the choices we make in our home that affect our body's health. Written by Lisa Beres and illustrated by Juila Woolf, My Body My House addresses "sick building syndrome", suspected as being responsible for almost half of the illnesses in this country. My Body My House begins with a man living in a healthy home, surrounded by trees, heated with wood, and providing a garden with fresh vegetables. Soon, the Body (man) begins to notice his neighbors and feel the need to "keep up with the Jones's". He begins to remodel his home, wanting to do so cheaply and not concerned with the toxicity of the buidling materials. He replaces hardwood floors with carpeting, seals the windows, uses insecticides to kill bugs, etc. The House continues to warn the Body he is creating an unhealthy environment, but the Body continues to remodel. "'But you don't understand,' the House started to gush. 'My air now contains pollution and dust. You've added new things. I'm no longer the same. Look in the mirror, only YOU are to blame.'" The Body continues to become ill from the indoor air quality, until he eventually opens a window, breathes in fresh air, and discovers the error of his ways. "He reached his arms out and hugged his dear friend. 'Don't worry, wise House, these problems I'll mend!' Then he skipped out the door, not a minute to spare, spotting all of his friends as he leaped in the air. Butterflies, trees, birds, bugs-everyone. And the Body now realized we are woven in one."

RBc: What a great kids book! It should be mandatory reading for every adult who 'begins to remodel his home, wanting to do so cheaply and not concerned with the toxicity of the buidling materials'. If reading a childs book would make you feel silly then Sarah Susanka's "build better, not bigger" approach in the Not So Big House would be your second choice.

Be sure to read How Much

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Sums it All Up

"The project also proved the inherent value in right-sizing systems: carefully analyzing demand and taking advantage of energy storage opportunities to reduce system size to handle peak period demands. This can reduce the size of the HVAC system without sacrificing comfort. It also allows for strategic cost transfer: using the savings from one cost-saving material or method to invest in other, costlier items.

The effort to reduce energy demand runs in tandem with right-sizing systems. Whether it’s through occupant behavior changes, fixed external shading, or better-performing technologies tied to the use of heating, cooling, lighting, and other major users of energy, this means the supply systems can be smaller and, therefore, less expensive." Excerpt from PLATINUM HEALTHCARE BUILDING ON A CONVENTIONAL BUDGET, This multiuse healthcare center aims to join the world’s green building elite through innovative engineering BY ANDY FRICHTL, PE, AND JERRY YUDELSON, PE

RBc:This is a must read article...two thumbs up. Be sure to check out the authors book...more at this link:

GREEN BUILDING BREAKTHROUGH: Portland Engineering Firm Shows Path To Platinum-LEED On Conventional Budget

Let Children Specify Your Heating System

"The building is equipped with a radiant heating system in the floor, for energy efficiency and comfort. The floor is a primary surface in contact with children, so Toddle Inn children will be playing on warm floors, not cold ones. The building is constructed using an Insulated Concrete Form system (“ICF”) in conjunction with an insulated EFS wall panel system to provide high R-values, minimal air infiltration, and savings in energy costs. The windows and doors systems have thermal breaks to prevent heat and cold loss." Excerpt from Toddle Inn Child Care Center & Nursery School Groundbreaking, MaineToday

RBc: Yep...put kids in charge of specifying heating system for humans.

Heating for the Heavenly

Photo Credit: AskaDAvid

"He said the only solution to the church's present problem was to put a new floor in, with underfloor heating, and use the outer aisles with wood and glass to make them meeting rooms. It would mean removing pews and creating a foyer for the church while youth and disabled facilities would also be incorporated." Excerpt from "Plan for church at heart of community" by TERRY REEVE Copyright © 2007 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

RBc: The only solution "new floor with underfloor heating"...now who are we to argue with the soon to be blessed flock.  Warm floors for the youth and disabled...sounds Heavenly.

Visit HER HOME today.

“Set aside for a moment comfort, versatility and efficiency. If you suffer from allergies, that may be all the reason you need to consider radiant heat! Indoor air quality is improved because dust and allergens aren’t circulating through the ductwork and the registers, as with forced air heating. Households with radiant floor heating host 50 to 80 percent fewer dust mites, according to the Association for Applied and Experimental Research of Allergies. That means you can be more comfortable in your new home, pay less and breathe free in the bargain!” Excerpt from Heat for the Feet, HER HOME magazine.

RBc: I’ve been following Linda Reimer and HER HOME magazine for several years and it has become one of my top recommended sites. Linda, president of Design Basics Inc., recognized a need to publish a magazine for women in the dreaming or planning stage of building a new home or remodeling their present home. Why? Because research shows 80% of homebuilding and remodeling decisions are made by women, and she was amazed there wasn't a single women's magazine on the newsstand at the time with this focus. More than that, she and her friends Susan Conbere and Kate Fried understand the diversity and dynamics in the word comfort and have done a marvelous job presenting the benifts of radiant heating in Heat for the Feet.  I would suggest you spend some time over there where you can read the article and a lot more. Visit HER HOME

Pennsylvania Library A Must Read

"Reduction of air infiltration through the use of concrete walls and insulated windows will significantly reduce operating costs and enhance indoor air quality and maximize natural daylighting. Low-E double-glazing; energy efficient mechanical systems, including radiant floor heating and operable windows; and the possible use of a geothermal heating system will also contribute to a LEED rating." Excerpt from Frederic Schwartz Selected to Design Pennsylvania Library Openness and connection to nature, as well as historic relevance, were important factors for the design jury. by Meaghan O'Neill Interior Design · March 15, 2007 Read more about this radiant heated library.

RBc: As an avid fan of higher learning this project is top notch in my books.

Origins of Ondol

“Gudeul refers to an under-ground heating system, or to the floor or room that is heated by the system. Folklore expert Son Jin-tae presumes that “gudeul” originates from “guun dol,” or “baked stones.” “Ondol,” or warm stone, was created by a combination of Chinese characters to describe “gudeul” before hangul was invented.” Excerpt from A warmer backside for Asia by You Sang-chul, Asia news editor at the JoongAng Ilbo., Copyright by Joins.com, Inc.  Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization, All Rights Reserved 

RBc; History shows the Koreans using this style of heating over 23 centuries ago. As noted by Wendy Croix, Interior Design School Review Columnist on a Business Week interview with Korean design professor Lee Kun Pyo, the, “Traditional Korean homes, even the poorest, have heated flooring--the “ondol gudeul” --an interior feature Western designers now think of as a luxury for upscale homes.”

This is another example of us North American’s taking the most basic stuff - make it expensive and tag it as a luxury item…it just doesn’t have to be this way.

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Tonights Webinar On Radiant Cooling and Heating

Tonight Only, 8:00 P.M. EST, March 07th, 2007 One Hour Live Webinar on Radiant Cooling and Heating - Register Here.

Common Ground

I want our readers to meet John Vastyan, whom I've known for several years. John specializes in marketing communications and business-to-business PR, serving the radiant heat, hydronic, geothermal, plumbing & mechanical, HVAC and broad construction markets. His website has a wealth of information in the articles he's published. John has also worked with our current Carlson Holohan Industry Award of Excellence Winner, Mr. Dave Yates.  Spend some time there, you'll be glad you did.  Visit Common Ground