1. What is IAQ?
Indoor Air Quality
2. What is IEQ?
Indoor Environmental Quality
3. What are VOCs?
Volatile Organic Compounds
4. What are TVOCs?
Total Volatile Organic Compounds
5. What is PM?
Particulate Matter
6. What is a Green Building?
A green building is one that structurally and operationally is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the building’s life-cycle: from planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
7. What are the benefits of a Green Building?
Green buildings save energy, water, materials, etc. During the whole life of the building land and the environment are protected and pollution is reduced. Green Buildings provide people with healthy, comfortable and efficient use of space, all while being in harmony with nature.
8. How do buildings affect climate change?
Buildings contribute to carbon emissions on multiple levels including how we construct buildings, how we use them, and where they’re located. Buildings and their construction together account for 36 percent of global energy use and 39 percent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions annually, according to the United Nations Environment Program. In the United States, residential and commercial buildings account for 40 percent of energy consumption, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
9. How can I incorporate green-building concepts into my office building?
If you are building or renovating a building’s interior you could follow the LEED rating system, Green Globes, or the Living Building Challenge. Edifice Rx offers LEED testing services and can also support the other rating systems as well.
10. Where can I find more information about the components of green buildings, like energy efficiency or reduced waste?
We have a webpage dedicated to sustainability where you can learn more.
11. How do I improve my indoor air quality?
Edifice Rx provides indoor air quality consulting services provided by industrial hygienists who are experts in addressing your concerns. Methods to improve air quality generally include: source identification and elimination, alternative product selections, fragrance free policies, increasing fresh air ventilation, filtration, and other air treatment technologies. Contact us to get started.
12. How often should my buildings indoor air quality be tested?
A buildings indoor air quality should be tested semi-annually. If the building has permanently installed indoor air quality monitors then an air quality audit/ProActive is recommended on an annual basis.
13. What is the cost of IAQ monitoring services?
For each project Edifice Rx develops a scope of work (SOW) after discussing the client’s needs and reviews the building’s floor plans and HVAC mechanical plans. Pricing varies based on the types of air quality testing (real-time reading scientific instrumentation vs various lab analysis tests) to meet the project specifications and objectives.
