Airtight construction reduces heating costs but changes how pollutants, moisture, and fresh air behave indoors. This resource covers ventilation systems, filtration standards, and common pollutants found in modern Canadian homes.
Articles
Three reference articles covering the main topics relevant to indoor air quality in Canadian residential construction.
Radon, carbon monoxide, VOCs, PM2.5, and biological pollutants — how they accumulate in airtight homes and what Health Canada guidelines say.
How heat recovery and energy recovery ventilators work, the difference between them, and which suits Canadian climate conditions.
MERV ratings from 1 to 16, HEPA standards, activated carbon, and how to match filtration to residential HVAC systems and portable purifiers.
Topics Covered
Each topic connects to practical decisions homeowners and builders face when dealing with airtight modern construction in Canada.
Canadian building codes increasingly require high-insulation, low-infiltration envelopes. This changes the dynamics of indoor air entirely — what enters and leaves the home is now largely controlled by mechanical systems rather than incidental leakage.
Radon migrates from soil through foundation gaps. VOCs off-gas from engineered wood products and finishes. Combustion appliances produce CO and nitrogen dioxide. Understanding source behaviour is the starting point for any mitigation strategy.
HRV and ERV units have become standard in new Canadian construction. Their effectiveness depends on correct sizing, balanced airflow, and regular maintenance — three areas where performance often falls short in practice.
MERV-rated filters installed at the furnace or air handler are the first line of particle control for whole-home systems. Higher MERV ratings capture smaller particles but increase static pressure, which can reduce airflow in undersized systems.
Cold winters mean HRV cores can frost if not managed properly. Summer wildfire seasons in British Columbia and Alberta generate PM2.5 events that challenge standard residential filtration. Regional radon geology varies significantly across provinces.
Health Canada publishes indoor air quality guidelines for radon, formaldehyde, and other pollutants. ASHRAE 62.2 sets minimum residential ventilation rates. The National Building Code of Canada addresses mechanical ventilation requirements in Section 9.32.
Contact
Use this form to submit questions or topic suggestions. This form does not connect to a live support system — responses are not guaranteed.
This site provides general reference information only. Specific concerns about indoor air quality, ventilation design, or pollutant levels in a home should be assessed by a qualified building science professional or certified industrial hygienist.