Chapter 22 Exercises

Exercise 1: Pollutant Source Audit

Walk through every room of your home and list all potential sources of indoor air pollutants from the categories in Section 22.1: particulate sources, VOC sources, combustion appliances, and biological contamination risk areas. For each source identified, note whether it is addressed by filtration, ventilation, source control, or humidity management. Which category of pollutants is most significant in your home? Which currently goes unaddressed?

Exercise 2: Current Filter Inspection and Rating Assessment

Remove your current HVAC filter. Record: (a) the MERV rating or filter type printed on the frame, (b) its approximate dimensions, (c) its installation date if marked, (d) your visual assessment of loading (hold it to a light source), and (e) the date you last replaced it. Using the guidance from Section 22.2, determine whether your current filter choice is appropriate for your system. Is the MERV rating suitable? Is replacement overdue? Document your findings and create a replacement schedule going forward.

Exercise 3: Humidity Monitoring

Purchase an inexpensive digital hygrometer ($10–$20 at any hardware store) if you don't own one. Place it in your main living area and record the relative humidity reading at the same time for 7 consecutive days. Note: (a) average relative humidity, (b) highest and lowest readings, and (c) whether any readings fall outside the 40–60% target range. If you have a basement, place a second hygrometer there and compare readings. Based on your readings, does your home need a humidifier, a dehumidifier, or neither?

Exercise 4: CO Detector Audit

Count and locate every CO detector in your home. For each, record: (a) location, (b) height above floor, (c) date of manufacture or expiration date (printed on the unit), (d) when it was last tested (press test button now if uncertain), and (e) whether it is within 10 feet of a sleeping area. Compare your inventory against the placement requirements in Section 22.7. Are there missing detectors? Expired detectors? Detectors in incorrect locations? Create an action plan to bring your CO protection up to standard.

Exercise 5: Combustion Appliance Inventory

List every combustion appliance in your home: furnace, boiler, water heater, gas range, gas dryer, fireplace, wood stove, or any propane appliances. For each, record: (a) fuel type, (b) venting method (direct vent, chimney, B-vent, unvented), (c) approximate age, and (d) when it was last professionally inspected. Identify any appliances that are unvented or have questionable venting (a fireplace damper that doesn't seal, a water heater with a damaged flue collar). Note which items need professional attention.

Exercise 6: Range Hood Effectiveness Test

If you have a kitchen range hood, test its effectiveness. Boil a pot of water or create steam at your range. Observe whether the hood captures the visible steam/vapor or whether it escapes into the kitchen. Hold a tissue or piece of tissue paper near the hood face to feel whether air is moving. If you have an external-venting hood, go outside and locate the exhaust termination — verify it terminates outdoors (not into an attic, wall cavity, or soffit). If your hood recirculates (no external vent), evaluate whether external venting would be feasible. Write a one-paragraph assessment of your range hood's effectiveness.

Exercise 7: Air Purifier Sizing Evaluation

Research portable HEPA air purifiers for one room in your home — the room where you spend the most time, or a bedroom for a family member with allergies. Measure the room's square footage. Using the CADR guideline from Section 22.3 (CADR at least 2/3 of room square footage), determine the minimum CADR you need. Research two models at different price points that meet this requirement. Compare: (a) CADR rating, (b) filter replacement cost and interval, (c) annual operating cost (electricity), and (d) total first-year cost. Is a portable purifier justified for this room?

Exercise 8: Humidity Cause Investigation

If your humidity monitoring (Exercise 3) found readings outside the 40–60% target, investigate the cause. For high humidity: check bathroom exhaust fan operation (test with tissue paper at grille — should pull strongly toward grille), check for visible condensation on windows, check basement for efflorescence (white mineral deposits) on walls indicating moisture infiltration. For low humidity: check whether the furnace humidifier (if present) is operational and set correctly. Document what you find and what interventions you would make.

Exercise 9: Whole-Home Humidifier Maintenance Assessment

If your HVAC system has a whole-home humidifier, locate it (typically mounted on the return or supply plenum near the furnace). Determine the type (bypass drum, bypass plate, fan-powered, steam). Open the access panel and inspect: (a) condition of the water panel/media (due for replacement if discolored, calcified, or over a year old), (b) condition of the drain pan (mineral buildup?), (c) whether the bypass damper (if present) is in the correct seasonal position, and (d) whether the water supply valve is open. Create a maintenance checklist and schedule based on Section 22.5.

Exercise 10: Basement Dehumidifier Assessment

If you have a basement, assess the need for dehumidification. Measure the square footage of the basement. Check for: (a) visible moisture on walls or floor (efflorescence, staining), (b) musty odor, (c) relative humidity reading (from Exercise 3 hygrometer), and (d) visible mold. Using the sizing guidelines in Section 22.6, determine what dehumidifier capacity would be appropriate if one were needed. Research two options at the appropriate capacity — include Energy Star models in your comparison. If a dehumidifier is already present, verify that drainage is set up for continuous operation (gravity drain or pump).

Exercise 11: Radon Test Implementation

Purchase a radon test kit ($15–$30 at a hardware store or online — look for National Radon Program Services certified kits). Follow the placement instructions: long-term tests belong in the lowest livable level, away from drafts, for 90 days or more. Closed-house short-term tests take 2–4 days. Document where you placed it, the date, and plan to read/mail the results. If your radon level comes back at or above 4 pCi/L (the EPA action level), research radon mitigation contractors. Note: this exercise produces actionable health data that many homeowners have never collected.

Exercise 12: CO Emergency Response Plan

Write a one-page emergency response plan for a CO alarm activation in your home. Include: (a) evacuation route from each sleeping area, (b) designated meeting point outside, (c) who calls 911 (and from where — outside), (d) do not re-enter instruction, and (e) what information to give emergency responders (type of combustion appliances in the home). Share the plan with every household member. Post a copy near the main exit. This exercise addresses the gap between having CO detectors and knowing what to do when one alarms.