The Ventilation Challenge: What Every Builder Needs to Know About IAQ

As homes become tighter, healthier indoor air doesn't happen by accident. Join building science expert Daran Wastchak on July 15 to learn how ventilation, filtration, testing, and code compliance work together to deliver high-performance homes with exceptional indoor air quality. 

For decades, building science experts have repeated a simple phrase: "Build tight and ventilate right." The first half of that equation has become increasingly familiar. Builders today understand the value of airtight construction, high-performance envelopes, and reducing uncontrolled air leakage to improve energy efficiency, comfort, and durability.

The second half—the ventilation side—is where things get more complicated.

As homes become tighter and more energy efficient, proper ventilation becomes essential for maintaining healthy indoor environments. Without it, pollutants, moisture, allergens, and contaminants can accumulate indoors, affecting both occupant comfort and health.

Yet ventilation remains one of the most misunderstood aspects of residential construction.

How much ventilation is enough? What's the difference between filtration and ventilation? Which systems work best in different climates and housing types? And how do builders balance energy performance with indoor air quality requirements?

These questions are becoming increasingly important as building codes evolve and programs such as ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, and Indoor airPLUS place greater emphasis on verified indoor air quality performance.

Join Green Builder Media on July 15 at 2 PM ET for a deep dive into residential ventilation with Daran Wastchak, high-performance building expert and founder of Learning Edge.

During this webinar, Wastchak will unpack the ventilation puzzle and explain how the various pieces fit together to create healthier, higher-performing homes. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of ventilation strategies, filtration systems, code requirements, and testing protocols that help ensure systems perform as intended.

The webinar will cover:

• The critical differences between air filtration and ventilation.
• How to select the right air filtration system and filter size.
• How to determine the amount of ventilation needed for healthy indoor environments.
• The difference between air changes per hour (ACH) and natural air changes per hour (NACH).
• Common ventilation strategies used in single-family and multifamily housing.
• How to evaluate the tradeoffs involved in selecting the best ventilation approach.
• Current ventilation requirements within the IECC and IRC.
• How ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready, LEED, and Indoor airPLUS address ventilation and filtration.
• Why testing, verification, and inspections are critical to successful system performance.

Whether you're a builder, architect, HVAC contractor, rater, designer, or building professional seeking to better understand the relationship between energy efficiency and indoor air quality, this session will provide practical insights that can be applied immediately.