Indoor Air Quality Archives

2021 Virginia Building Code impacts on New Construction

by Charles Hendricks | Nov 29, 2024 | architecture, Building Science, Commercial Architect, Indoor Air Quality

The 2021 Virginia building code changes have had a significant impact on residential homes in Virginia starting in January 2025. These changes, aimed at improving energy efficiency and safety, have led to increased construction costs. One of the most notable changes is the stricter energy efficiency standards. Homes built after 2021 are required to meet higher insulation standards, use more efficient HVAC systems, and have tighter air sealing. While these changes will lead to lower energy bills in the long run, they increase upfront construction costs. They also increase the building science complexity on your home. If you don’t understand the impacts of these changes you could create a mold or rot issue in your new home. You also need to pay special attention to the indoor air quality of this new tighter house.

Additionally, the 2021 code also introduced stricter requirements for fire safety, accessibility, and plumbing systems. These changes, while necessary for safety and accessibility, also contribute to increased construction costs. The exact cost increase varies depending on the specific project and location, but it is estimated that the 2021 code changes can add anywhere from 2% to 10% to the overall cost of a new home. These increased costs will have a dramatic impact on already rising construction costs. Knowing the changes and how to mitigate the impact of them on the final budget will be critical moving forward.

For homeowners considering building new or renovating, it’s important to be aware of these code changes. While they may increase the initial cost, they can also lead to long-term savings and a more sustainable home. Consulting with an architect can help you understand the specific costs / benefits associated with the 2021 code changes and how they may impact your project.

10 Things To Do Around Your Home This Fall

by Charles Hendricks | Sep 18, 2024 | architecture, Building Science, Indoor Air Quality

The beautiful Virginia leaves are changing to oranges and yellows, and fall is upon us. As we slip into cozy, chilly days, now is a good time to prep your home for the colder winter days ahead. It’s also a good time to make sure your home is healthy for the increasing amount of time we spend indoors. To get you started, here are 10 things you can do for your home this fall to help you improve its energy efficiency and safety and save you money.

The good thing is, you don’t have to do everything on this list to save yourself money and make your home safer, even just doing one or two things can help! So if doing all of these isn’t realistic for you, try doing one or two this year. Consider this a starting point for future updates.

1. Seal Windows and Doors

Ensure your home is energy-efficient and reduce the outdoor allergens in your home by sealing gaps around windows and doors. You can add weatherstripping to stop the air leaks, and a quick caulking job can prevent drafts and reduce your heating costs in winter. Use a windy day to help identify air leaks, or give us a call and Charles can help you find leaks with a free energy-audit.

2. Inspect and Clean Your Gutters

Late fall is the perfect time to clean out debris from your gutters to prevent blockages and water damage. All the leaves and twigs that have accumulated can create blockages which can lead to stagnant water, which attracts pests and provides a place for mold to grow. Once the temperatures dip below freezing, sitting water will freeze and expand, which can cause cracks in the gutter system and damage to your home’s exterior. Cleaning out your gutters can protect the structural integrity of your home and help avoid expensive repairs in the future. For more detailed information, check out American Home Contractors blog: “How to clean gutters in Virginia?“.

3. Check and Upgrade Insulation

Check the insulation in your attic and crawl spaces to make sure your home stays warm. Consider upgrading to more energy-efficient insulation if needed. More on insulation on our blog post: “Insulation in your attic can determine your comfort in your living room“.

4. Trim Trees and Shrubs

Before the winter storms, trim any deadwood and overgrown branches that could fall and cause damage to your home or power lines during high winds, heavy ice, or snow.

5. Check and Clean Dryer Vents

Lint buildup in dryer vents is a common fire hazard. Clean your dryer vent thoroughly to reduce the risk of fire, speed up drying time for each load, and help save electricity.

6. Service Your HVAC System

Schedule a professional inspection for your heating system to ensure it’s working efficiently. Replace filters and clean ducts for better air quality. Leaves can also pile up around your outdoor heat pump which can drastically reduce the efficiency of the unit, so make sure to check outdoors too.

7. Inspect The Fireplace and Chimney

If you have a fireplace, now is the time to clean and inspect your chimney. Ensure it’s free from debris or creosote build-up for safe use during the colder months.

8. Check Your Home’s Exterior for Damage

Look for cracks, gaps, or damage to siding, brickwork, and foundation. When water seeps into small cracks or gaps in the siding, brickwork, or foundation, it can freeze during cold temperatures. As water freezes, it expands, causing the cracks to widen. Repeated freezing and thawing can lead to significant structural damage, like crumbling brickwork, larger gaps in siding, or even foundation shifts. Addressing small issues now can prevent larger problems as temperatures drop.

9. Test Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If you’re making your way through the list, why not ensure all your safety alarms are functioning properly? It’s always a good idea. Replace batteries and test the devices to ensure that they’re working when needed.

10. Winterize Outdoor Faucets

Disconnect hoses, drain outdoor faucets, and install insulated covers to prevent frozen pipes during winter. This small task can prevent major plumbing issues. Forbes Home gives a quick and easy How-To in their beginner guide: “How to Winterize Outdoor Faucets“.

90% of homes in the US are not designed

by Charles Hendricks | Aug 5, 2024 | architecture, Indoor Air Quality

A high percentage, 90% or more, of the houses built in the United States are not designed by an architect. Builders and developers that have expertise in efficiency of building make the design decisions. These homes do not look at quality of life, value added to the occupants, energy efficiency, or even the land they are sitting on. These houses don’t maximize the potential for natural light or think through how a particular family might live in the spaces created.

A house designed by an architect can significantly improve the daily lives of those living in the home. First is the functional layout of the house, which, when working with an architect, will go through careful consideration. The client is asked many questions about how they live and how they want to live. This is a time to dream of what could happen if the house you live in facilitated the life you want. Think about getting a home that captures the view of a sunrise while you comfortably sit and sip your morning coffee. What about when all the family comes together to celebrate and the home is sized to adapt, making a large group feel welcome and comfortable where daily the spaces are just right for your small family.

Architects will also focus on the aesthetic appeal of the whole home, details within the home, and help coordinate space to space. Thinking through bringing in natural light and ventilation will make the home warm and inviting. Of course, there is also the focus on building science that helps with indoor air quality and energy-efficiency. With an architect you will get the right spaces in the right places for how you imagine your dream life. The architect will balance budget concerns with quality goals. They will look at the land and how the house should sit in that space and make the home as future flexible as possible.

In a home designed by an architect there will be little things that you might overlook that make life easier. Window in the right place and right size, HVAC system that cleans the air you breath, and a kitchen that allows for gathering. The home will be a lifetime home and not just your new home.

Home Renovation Return on Investment

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 18, 2024 | architecture, Historic Renovation, Indoor Air Quality

This year we have seen a lot of home renovation and addition projects. These are exciting projects to design because we get to make our clients’ existing homes into their dream homes. We hear about what is not working and come up with ways to make them fit the lives our clients want to live in the places they already call home. The return on investment for these types of projects is critical. In this case, “return on investment” means that the space directly contributes to making the existing home into their dream home.

Kitchen Renovations

Beulah Kitchen Addition

Some of the best payback on investment can be seen with kitchen renovations. An updated, beautiful, and highly functional timeless kitchen is the heart of the home for most of our projects. Getting the cabinets and cabinet hardware to look great and have a high-quality finish is key to making the most of your investment. Figuring out how to make the space as functional as possible for the way you want to cook, entertain, and gather is the most important part of this design work.

Bathroom Remodels

Casa Cielo Bathroom

Similarly, the bathroom remodel has a high impact on an existing house. Upgrading the lighting, flooring, tiles, and shower can make all the difference when thinking about your dream home. Adding body sprayers and an adjustable shower head can make the bathroom future proof for you and spa like on the daily. Thinking through accessibility challenges that might happen is also an important part of this space.

Upgrades and Updates

Important, but not always on top of mind, are energy-efficiency, durability, and indoor-air-quality upgrades and updates. Often in existing homes you already know the products that were used that need a coat of paint every year. You know which room is always cold in the winter. When you are doing a renovation, be sure to fix those issues, then track your energy usage. You will be thrilled to save money monthly. More importantly, you will have comfortable spaces that have healthy indoor air quality, and you will not have to “honey-do” home improvements every weekend with these new durable products.

Curb Appeal

Historic Porch Renovation/Restoration

Another idea to make your home remodel the best investment possible is to make it look incredible from the street. Update the landscaping with native plants, scrape and repaint anything that is peeling (or replace old siding with something low maintenance), and make sure the water is going away from the foundation. Adding a deck, patio, or porch is also an easy way to expand your livable space and provide an aesthetic update to a home. These spaces will become favorites if they are placed in the right way around your house to take advantage of the breeze, provide shade, and offer additional gathering options. Don’t forget about adding an outdoor kitchen to bring the party to the outside of your home.

When you are thinking about a renovation or addition to your home, make the return on investment a part of the decision-making process. This does not mean just doing things that will increase the sale price of your home, it is the quality of life that can be provided through the renovation that provides the best return on investment. Do the things that make your home your dream home.

Seasonal Allergies getting to you? Let’s design a better solution

by Charles Hendricks | Jul 11, 2024 | Building Science, Indoor Air Quality

As we design new custom homes and renovate existing homes into dream homes, we have to think about indoor air quality issues. Studies have shown that we spend 90% of our time indoors. Scientists have reported that warming temperatures have a direct impact on seasonal allergies such as tree pollen. I know my seasonal allergies are impacting me daily! We have also seen a rise in airborne viruses. Add the pollen and viruses together with building code requirements for tighter and more energy efficiency and you get indoor air quality challenges in your home.

Filters

There are ways to design better systems that not only filter out pollen but clean the air in your home to a point where you will get sick less often. The first line of defense is a high-efficiency air filter for your heating and cooling system. This filter should have a MERV 13 or higher rating with pleats that catch allergens like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Then you need to remember to replace the filter on a regular basis. I use a 5” pleated filter in my system at home which should be changed every 6 months. Many filters require a 1 – 3 month change if they are not as robust as a 5” pleated option.

In addition to a quality filter, you may think about installing an air purification system on your return duct, such as a UV germicidal lamp. These systems will kill viruses that land on the coils of your HVAC system.

Humidity

Humidity control inside your home is also a key feature to keeping mold from growing. This is not only done with your air conditioning system but could also include a dehumidifier. Other impacts to indoor humidity are insulation in your thermal envelope of the home, the water management system on the exterior of the walls and roof, and the source of fresh air. Keeping humidity below 50% reduces the chances of mold growth.

HVAC System

A quality HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system will include ducts and vents that have 10% or less air leakage before they get to the room they are intended to heat and cool. This is not the normal standard air leakage I see in ductwork for many existing homes. You may also consider adding ventilation to your HVAC system if the house is tight enough to need it. This can also be done in the return duct using an ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilator).

Keeping your HVAC system running efficiently can also contribute to better indoor air quality. This regular maintenance will verify that all systems are functioning properly. The company doing this work will also look at preventative measures to keep your system functioning properly.

Materials

Thinking through the materials inside your home is another important indoor air quality design strategy. You will want to make sure that you don’t add anything that has toxic off-gassing once installed. There are many glues, paints, and stains that no longer have VOC’s. Using hypoallergenic furnishings and carpets is also recommended. Paying attention to your ductwork install is also important. Masking off ducts during construction keeps them clean prior to startup.

If you are like me – itchy eyes, running nose, and a seasonal cough – you will want to do everything you can to improve your indoor air quality. It will pay off in less sick days, more energy, and a clearer head.

Renovating your existing home into a lifetime home

by Charles Hendricks | Apr 8, 2024 | architecture, Indoor Air Quality, resources

When doing a renovation, it is important to take a holistic view of what is possible. Most of the renovation and addition projects we receive start with a challenge such as – we want to add a primary bedroom on the first floor to make our home a lifetime home. This is a great place to start and we love taking on that challenge.

As a full-service design firm, we can evaluate the existing home for structural systems, aesthetics, function, aging-in-place, and efficiency. We look at how the existing home is built and how to most efficiently add the desired space. We offer aesthetic solutions coupled with building science and efficiency expertise. We think through aging-in-place standards to make the home as adaptable as possible over time.

For many additions or renovations, there is an opportunity to add the right insulation in the right places and upgrade the mechanical systems, while making the space functional and beautiful. We don’t stop at picking out just the right tile and cabinets, we make sure the renovation addresses monthly utility bills and the durability of the structure. This holistic approach provides the highest value to our clients for their investment.

If you are thinking about doing a renovation or addition, consider adding durability, indoor air quality, and comfort to your list of priorities. This brings your investment into a long-lasting value-added proposition.

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