Society is becoming more and more health conscious when it comes to indoor air quality. People are concerned about the quality of air in their homes, their workplaces, and the buildings that they visit frequently. Because of these health concerns, people are more likely to monitor indoor air quality. The air quality indoors now plays a factor when one is making a decision about buying, leasing, or renting a building.

It is essential for realtors and construction companies to be able to ensure potential buyers that the indoor air in the building listed is safe. Business indoor air quality is equally as important as residential indoor air quality.

While the people and activities inside the building generate many indoor air pollutants, building structure and maintenance also cause some indoor air pollutants. Many link indoor air quality and energy efficiency together. A tight and well-sealed building can reduce air pollutants such as dust and pollen. When preparing a building for sale, lease, or rent, consider some of the following:

1. How important do you consider indoor air quality?

2. Do you perform residential indoor air quality testing?

3. Do you own an indoor air quality testing instrument?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider installing a residential indoor air quality monitoring system

Just as you equip homes for sale with heating and cooling units, consider adding a residential indoor air quality monitoring system. The system could only add value to the home. Buyers will appreciate your health conscious efforts.

I recommend: Enroll in an air monitoring system program such as the HomeAdvice or BusinessAdvice programs at AirAdvice. Signing up a home with air monitoring technicians is also a good idea to let your buyers know their safety is important to you. AAA Indoor Air Quality sets up an air monitoring system that checks your air quality and records data over telephone lines.

Consider improving air quality inside existing structures

In some cases, you may decide to remodel or purchase a structure for resale. Have the indoor air quality tested. There are several ways that you can improve indoor air quality.

I recommend: Begin improving air quality indoors by ensuring that the construction team tightly sealed the home with no leaks. You may need replacement windows installed. Tag Mechanical offers a wide range of energy efficient windows. In conjunction with installing new windows, keep fresh air circulating in the building with Fantech IAQ products.

Use materials that support good indoor air quality

When building a new home or structure, it is important to choose materials that will support good and healthy indoor air quality.

I recommend: Georgia Pacific offers drywall that is mold and moisture resistant. Healthy Home also offers building materials that are low or no VOC. These reduce smog forming compound emissions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are also in charge of furnishing the building or home, consider using plants to help improve indoor air quality. Greens such as Dragon Tree, English Ivy, Ficus, and Peace Lily all look beautiful and help improve the air quality indoors.