Indoor airPLUS

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Indoor airPLUS Eligibility Update Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

Public Comment Response and Summary

After requesting, receiving, and processing public comment (October-November 2019), the Indoor airPLUS Program is pleased to share a summary and proposed next steps. Stakeholder comments were overwhelmingly supportive of the Indoor airPLUS Program expanding eligibility to projects that earn the ENERGY STAR label under the Multifamily New Construction Program for buildings 5 stories or below. Some stakeholders were also in favor of expanding eligibility for multifamily buildings above 5 stories to further improve alignment with other national home labeling programs (i.e. ENERGY STAR⇒Indoor airPLUS⇒DOE Zero Energy Ready Home⇒PHIUS+), similar to how these programs are aligned as certification prerequisites for single family and low-rise multifamily homes. EPA agrees that full alignment of these programs as certification prerequisites would be similarly beneficial in the multifamily high rise sector.

EPA agrees with commenters about the importance of enhanced indoor air quality (IAQ) in tight, high-performance homes and buildings. EPA also understands the value of clear specifications that articulate best practices in building science for architects, designers, and developers, as appropriate for their building type. As noted by some stakeholders, the majority of the current requirements and advisories in the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications are applicable to buildings of all heights. However, the requirements were originally developed in the context of the low-rise housing market, and EPA maintains that certain key elements in the Construction Specifications would benefit from further development to capture IAQ best practices in high rise buildings.

Considering these factors and recent feedback, the Indoor airPLUS Program will update its eligibility criteria as proposed. In addition, the program will continue to explore specifications to expand the Indoor airPLUS label to include high rise buildings as soon as feasible. EPA believes a number of key topics must be addressed in label specifications for high rise buildings, including:

Ventilation
Dehumidification
Compartmentalization
Moisture management (high rise facades, curtain walls, roof drainage, etc.)

As such, the Indoor airPLUS Program intends to revisit multifamily project eligibility for high rise buildings as it continues to make these important technical program revisions.

The Eligibility and Verification Requirements of the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications will be amended and outlined in the Indoor airPLUS Policy Record as follows:

The following site-built or modular homes are eligible to earn the Indoor airPLUS label:

Detached dwelling units¹ (e.g. single family homes); OR
Townhouses² ; OR
Dwelling units in multifamily or mixed-use buildings with five (5) stories or fewer above grade³ .

Homes and dwelling units in single-family, multifamily, or mixed-use buildings that are five (5) stories or below and are newly built or undergoing a gut-rehabilitation must utilize the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications and must be certified under either ENERGY STAR Certified Homes or ENERGY STAR Multifamily New Construction (MFNC) to earn the Indoor airPLUS label .

Residential units in ENERGY STAR MFNC projects are eligible to earn the Indoor airPLUS label in buildings up to five (5) stories in height, including mixed-use buildings, where dwelling units and common space exceed 50% of the building square footage. Residential-associated common spaces, as defined by the ENERGY STAR MFNC National Program Requirements, must also meet the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications to earn the Indoor airPLUS label.

Requirements for both ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS homes/units can be verified and reported simultaneously. Verification can be completed during the ENERGY STAR inspection process and must be conducted by a certified Home Energy Rater, Rating Field Inspector, or an equivalent designation as determined by an ENERGY STAR Verification Oversight Organization or Multifamily Review Organization. The homes/units must also comply with all applicable state and local codes and standards.

These changes will be reflected in the Indoor airPLUS Policy Record which will be available online at https://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/indoor-airplus-program-documents.

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References

¹A dwelling unit, as defined by the 2018 IRC, is a single unit that provides complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation.
²The term “townhouse” refers to a single-family dwelling unit constructed in a group of three or more attached units in which each unit extends from the foundation to roof and with open space on at least two sides.
³Any above-grade story with 20% or more occupiable space, including commercial space, shall be counted towards the total number of stories for the purpose of determining eligibility to participate in the program. The definition of an ‘above-grade story’ is one for which more than half of the gross surface area of the exterior walls is above-grade. All below-grade stories, regardless of type, shall not be included when evaluating eligibility.

Indoor airPLUS Calendar of Events - Previous Years Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

Some of the industry conferences and events where the Indoor airPLUS Program has participated or presented are listed below. For additional presentations and recorded webinars, please see the Indoor airPLUS webinars page.

To view 2019 events, see Indoor airPLUS 2019 Calendar of Events

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Indoor airPLUS 2019 Calendar of Events

2018 Events

January 9-11, 2018, NAHB International Builders’ Show, Orlando, FL

January 22-24, 2018, Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) 21st Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL

January 30, 2018, Radon Protections in New Homes Webinar, Virtual

February 13-14, 2018, HPC New York Regional Home Performance Conference & Exhibits, Saratoga Springs, NY

February 26-28, 2018, RESNET Building Performance Conference, Orlando, FL

April 23-26, 2018, HPC National Home Performance Conference and Trade Show, Philadelphia, PA

June 29, 2018, Submission Deadline for Completed Applications for 2018 Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards

September 27 – October 1, 2018, North American Passive House Conference, Seattle, WA

October 16-18, 2018, EEBA High Performance Home Summit, San Diego, CA

Presentation of 2018 Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards at EEBA Summit, San Diego, CA

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2017 Events

February 27 – March 1, 2017, RESNET Building Performance Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

March 19-22, 2017, National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show, Nashville, TN

March 27-29, 2017, Habitat Global Conference, Atlanta, GA

April 25-26, 2017, Alliance Innovation Summit, Denver, CO

September 27-October 1, 2017, North American Passive House Conference, Seattle, WA

October 10-12, 2017, EEBA High Peformance Home Summit, Atlanta, GA

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2016 Events

January 19-21, 2016, NAHB International Builders Show, Las Vegas, NV

February 29-March 2, 2016, RESNET Building Performance Conference, Scottsdale, AZ

August 16, 2016, 1:00 pm EDT. Webinar: Finding Indoor airPLUS Compliant Low-Emission Products.

September 27-29, 2016, EEBA Excellence in Building Conference, Frisco, TX

October 25-27, 2016, ENERGY STAR Stakeholder Meeting, New Orleans, LA

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2015 Events

February 4-6, 2015, NAHB International Builders Show (IBS), Las Vegas, NV

February 16-18, 2015, 2015 RESNET Building Performance Conference, San Diego, CA

May 5-7, 2015, ACI National Home Performance Conference & Trade Show, New Orleans, LA

September 1-3, 2015, North Carolina Building Performance Association, Wilmington, NC

October 6-8, 2015, EEBA Excellence in Building Conference and Expo, Denver, CO

November 18-20, 2015, Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Washington, DC

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Past Indoor airPLUS Leader Award Winners Sep 05, 2018

Show notes

Congratulations to our previous Indoor airPLUS Leader Award Winners! To see our most recent Indoor airPLUS Leader Award winners, please visit Indoor airPLUS Leader Award Winners. On this page are the Leader Award Winners from 2018 to 2010: 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 Top of Page 2018 Indoor airPLUS Leader Winners Fulton Homes, Tempe, AZ - Leader of the Year Winner Energy Inspectors, Las Vegas, NV - Leader of the Year Winner Thrive Home Builders, Denver, CO - Affordable Builder Winner C&B Construction, Cottonwood, AZ Charis Homes, North Canton, OH Mandalay Homes, Phoenix, AZ Thrive Home Builders, Denver, CO E3 Energy, LLC, Flagstaff, AZ Steven Winter Associates, Inc., Norwalk, CT Top of Page The following links exit the site Exit Fulton Homes - Leader of the Year Winner Since joining the program in 2014, Fulton Homes has gone from building just over 60 Indoor airPLUS labeled homes their first year to over 650 labeled homes in 2017 throughout the greater Phoenix area. A now four-time Leader Award winner, Fulton Homes has proven to be a true champion for Indoor airPLUS. Program awareness and education about indoor air quality was a huge priority for Fulton Homes this past year. With an increased focus to ensure all potential clients and homebuyers are aware of their healthy homes message, Fulton Homes has produced abundant signage, stickers, and collaterals with the Indoor airPLUS brand to highlight their partnership and tell their story. EPA is delighted to present the first ever Indoor airPLUS Leader of the Year Award for a builder to Fulton Homes in 2018--congratulations! Energy Inspectors - Leader of the Year Winner Through their deep understanding of building science and their client’s needs, Energy Inspectors has helped multiple production builder clients make the 100% Commitment to Indoor airPLUS. As a program champion committed to pushing builders to new heights, Energy Inspectors has verified over 3,000 Indoor airPLUS qualified homes throughout California and Arizona. As they continue to drive the market forward toward healthier homes, Energy Inspectors has also been collaborating with manufacturers and material suppliers on how to best provide the equipment and materials their builder clients need to meet the requirements of a variety of high-performance building programs including Indoor airPLUS. Congratulations to Energy Inspectors on another successful year and your 2018 Indoor airPLUS Leader of the Year Award! Thrive Home Builders - Affordable Builder Category Thrive Home Builders has been able to develop a portfolio of new homes that include both market rate housing and income-qualified affordable housing, meeting the needs of a wide variety of homebuyers. Building over 25 affordable units in 2017 (with many more coming in 2018), Thrive is being recognized as an Indoor airPLUS Leader Award Winner in the Affordable category for the first time. Thrive is proud to offer their Elements Collection of 2-story rowhomes in Denver, Colorado, designated for income-qualified households, with both the EPA’s Indoor airPLUS label and the DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home certification. Congratulations, Thrive Home Builders, on being a committed partner and providing a well-constructed, healthy home at an affordable price point. Top of Page C&B Custom Homes C&B Custom Homes has been in business in Arizona since 1974, with four generations of the Bullock Family working in the construction industry. Their team of subcontractors have been working together for the past 10 years perfecting their strategies in building the best energy-efficient, health-ready homes possible. Through their teamwork they have built more than 100 custom-built Indoor airPLUS homes. It is their continued commitment and success in their market that has driven their competitors to begin building to both ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS, truly epitomizing the namesake of this award. Congratulations, C&B Custom Homes--EPA is proud to have such a dedicated partner earning a 5th consecutive Indoor airPLUS Leader Award! Charis Homes Discovering healthier, high-performance homes through their participation in DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home Program, Charis Homes joined Indoor airPLUS in the beginning of 2017 and instantly became an active and enthusiastic partner. Aside from their attention to detail in design and construction, Charis Homes also participates in their community and plays an important role in educating the public. They hold public seminars, participate in events with their local HBA, and share programmatic and educational information through their social media pages. EPA is proud to welcome Charis Homes to the ranks of the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award winners for the first time in 2018. Mandalay Homes As a committed partner since 2014, Mandalay Homes is now a four-time winner of the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award. Having labeled over 500 Indoor airPLUS homes in Arizona, Mandalay Homes proudly builds to the EPA Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications in every home because they feel it is the right thing to do--both for them as a business, and for every home buyer they serve. Recognizing an increased market focus on indoor air quality in recent years, Mandalay actively educates their customers about the benefits of an Indoor airPLUS qualified home and is proud to respond to client concerns and questions with real answers and meaningful solutions. Congratulations from the Indoor airPLUS team at EPA--keep up the great work! Thrive Home Builders Thrive Home Builders has been fully committed to Indoor airPLUS by building 100% of their homes to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications and using their EPA partnership as the foundation of their consumer messaging. Constructing over 100 Indoor airPLUS labeled homes annually over the last three years, Thrive continues to lead the market and prove their commitment to providing innovative and healthy homes to their customers in and around Denver, Colorado. With creative and thoughtful website messaging and engaging health displays in their model homes, Thrive has been able to clearly and effectively articulate the value of the Indoor airPLUS Program with their clients. EPA looks forward to continuing to support the great work of Thrive Home Builders--congratulations! Top of Page E3 Energy, LLC For the past 9 years, E3 Energy, LLC has been awarded the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award for their continued commitment in working with builder partners throughout Arizona to construct and verify over 1,000 Indoor airPLUS labeled homes. As experts in their field of energy efficiency and indoor air quality, E3 Energy works with builders on making the step from ENERGY STAR to Indoor airPLUS by providing guidance for each program specification, clearly explaining the requirements and how to achieve them. Additionally, E3 Energy understands the importance of educating the public about healthier homes with an engaging website, showcasing their services for high-performance home builders. EPA looks forward to continuing our strong partnership for years to come--congratulations! Steven Winter Associates, Inc. Since joining the program in 2010, Steven Winter Associates, Inc. has verified over 500 Indoor airPLUS homes along the East Coast. As a leader in building science training, education, and verification services, Steven Winter Associates regularly presents at national industry conferences and events. This past year saw a heavy emphasis on healthy building presentations, featuring Indoor airPLUS alongside recent research studies and complementary health-focused rating systems. Staff at Steven Winter Associates participated in at least nine events in four states, targeting energy efficiency and green building engagements to bring a focus on healthy indoor environments into those important conversations. The Indoor airPLUS team at EPA are thrilled to award Steven Winter Associates again in 2018 for all their great work--congratulations! Top of Page 2017 Indoor airPLUS Leader Winners Habitat for Humanity–Kent County, MI C&B Construction, Cottonwood, AZ Fulton Homes, Tempe, AZ Mandalay Homes, Phoenix, AZ Thrive Home Builders, Denver, CO Integral Building and Design, New Paltz, NY E3 Energy, LLC, Flagstaff, AZ Energy Inspectors, Las Vegas, NV Steven Winter Associates, Inc., Norwalk, CT Top of Page The following links exit the site Exit Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity of Kent County is being recognized as an Indoor airPLUS Leader for their extensive efforts to educate homeowners and bring them additional long-term value with healthier, safer indoor environments. Habitat for Humanity of Kent County communicates the benefits of healthy indoor air by partnering with educational groups, giving the next generation work force hands-on experience to learn green building practices. Additionally, because of Habitat for Humanity – Kent County's goal to certify all homes under the Indoor airPLUS Program, they also provide education for contractors and suppliers on the program requirements. Their outreach efforts include discussions about IAQ with homeowners and a collaborative construction approach to provide a safer, healthier home—an additional piece of long-term affordability for these families C&B Construction C&B Construction, known also as Grey Fox Ridge, is being recognized for the fourth year in a row as an Indoor airPLUS Leader for their continued commitment to providing healthier, safer indoor environments. Since committing to building 100% of their homes as Indoor airPLUS in 2014, C&B Construction has continued to see the benefits to both their business and for their clients! The Indoor airPLUS brand has been proudly displayed in nearly all their marketing efforts, including radio and television campaigns, newspaper ads, billboards, and displays throughout their model homes. C&B has seen firsthand the power of the Indoor airPLUS partner locator as it has drawn clients to their business. Fulton Homes Fulton Homes, for the third year in a row, is being recognized with the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award for their continued commitment to providing homeowners with improved indoor air quality. Fulton Homes incorporates the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications into their “Elevating what’s Standard” program, and in 2016 they found positive results from their marketing efforts promoting Indoor airPLUS. Fulton Homes has utilized the EPA co-brandable Discover Indoor airPLUS Booklet and the Breathe Easy in Your Indoor airPLUS Home brochure. They have also produced their own stickers featuring the Indoor airPLUS logo to bring the program to the attention of homebuyers. Fulton has also produced 3’x5’ avenue banners that they display at the entrances to six of their communities to further highlight and promote the program. Top of Page Mandalay Homes Mandalay Homes is being recognized for the third straight year as a recipient of the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award. Mandalay Homes has found that being 100% committed to building Indoor airPLUS has been a great differentiator in their market. The Indoor airPLUS Program has been central to their sales and marketing efforts to communicate the value of improved indoor air quality. Mandalay Homes features their partnership with Indoor airPLUS prominently on literature in their sales center and model homes, helping to explain the program and plainly describe the benefits to their customers. While utilizing social media they have increased awareness and visibility of the Indoor airPLUS Program. Thrive Home Builders Thrive Home Builders is an Indoor airPLUS Leader Award winner for the second year in a row with an outstanding commitment to providing healthier homes for their homebuyers. In every community, Thrive Home Builders converts a model home garage into a Design and Technology Studio to educate customers about the benefits and values of an energy-efficient and healthier home. Thrive puts a strong emphasis on the positive impacts of good indoor air quality rather than using it as a scare tactic for consumers. Through informational, interactive displays about sustainable home features, as well as information sheets, the Discover Indoor airPLUS Booklet, and Breathe Easy brochure, they are easily able to communicate the value of improved indoor air quality. Integral Building and Design Integral Building and Design has been a strong Indoor airPLUS partner and was previously awarded the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award in 2014. With goals of inspiring all of their ENERGY STAR builder partners to construct every one of their homes to meet the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications, Integral Building and Design understands the value and importance of providing improved indoor air quality in homes. They also recognize the importance of indoor air quality in the affordable housing sector and have worked with affordable developers in adding Indoor airPLUS to their construction strategies and community development plans. Top of Page E3 Energy, LLC E3 Energy has been awarded the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award for the eighth consecutive year. Through continuous improvements in how they promote the Indoor airPLUS Program and its benefits, E3 Energy has shown a long-term commitment to raising the standards in their market for high-performance homes through the promotion of healthier indoor environments. Noticing an increased concern from homeowners surrounding mold, radon, carbon monoxide and general health issues, E3 Energy has effectively utilized both their website and social media to provide information to the public on how the Indoor airPLUS Program can help address those concerns. Energy Inspectors Energy Inspectors has been awarded the Indoor airPLUS Leader Award for the eighth consecutive year. Through continuous improvements in how they promote the Indoor airPLUS Program and its benefits, E3 Energy has shown a long-term commitment to raising the standards in their market for high-performance homes through the promotion of healthier indoor environments. Noticing an increased concern from homeowners surrounding mold, radon, carbon monoxide and general health issues, E3 Energy has effectively utilized both their website and social media to provide information to the public on how the Indoor airPLUS Program can help address those concerns. Steven Winter Associates, Inc. Steven Winter Associates, Inc. (SWA) is being recognized for their ongoing commitment to promoting Indoor airPLUS and healthier homes with their sixth consecutive Leader Award. SWA’s Raters incorporate Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications and low-VOC product choices during design development to ensure the homes are constructed to meet all requirements and result in healthier indoor environments. At conferences and workshops, SWA uses the opportunity to discuss the benefits of indoor air quality and specifically the Indoor airPLUS Program, in addition to assisting builder partners in conveying the benefits of the program to homebuyers. Top of Page 2016 Indoor airPLUS Leader Winners Fulton Homes, Tempe, AZ Mandalay Communities, Phoenix, AZ C&B Construction, Cottonwood, AZ Greenhill Contracting, Esopus, NY Thrive Home Builders, Denver, CO Habitat for Humanity–St. Louis Integral Building and Design, New Paltz, NY ASERusa, St. Louis, MO E3 Energy, LLC, Flagstaff, AZ Energy Inspectors, Las Vegas, NV Steven Winter Associates, Inc., Norwalk, CT Top of Page The following links exit the site Exit Fulton Homes Fulton Homes is being recognized for the second year in a row as an Indoor airPLUS Leader for their strong commitment to building homes with improved indoor air quality. This Arizona builder is committed to building 100% of their homes to Indoor airPLUS. They take full advantage of the marketing and sales resources provided by the program, including training their sales team using the Indoor airPLUS Sales Training Kit. Fulton Homes has also been an ENERGY…

Full show notes at the publisher

Indoor airPLUS Transcript of Podcast with Brett Singer Nov 01, 2016

Show notes

Indoor Air Quality Metrics, Scores, and Emerging Technologies with Brett Singer, LBNL, and Nick Hurst, ICF

Podcast Transcript with Brett Singer (PDF)(6 pp, 110 K, October 25, 2016) Indoor Air Quality Metrics, Scores, and Emerging Technologies with Brett Singer, LBNL, and Nick Hurst, ICF

Transcript of Podcast with Ross Britton Nov 01, 2016

Show notes

Rater Perspective – Benefits of Earning the Indoor airPLUS Label with Ross Britton, US-Eco Logic | TexEnergy Solutions, and Nick Hurst, ICF

Transcript of Podcast with Ross Britton (PDF)(3 pp, 84 K, October 25, 2016) Transcript of Podcast with Ross Britton

**Indoor airPLUS Sales and Marketing Resources** Oct 13, 2016
Show notes

EPA has created various Indoor airPLUS marketing materials to help you promote Indoor airPLUS homes. Some of these materials are available to the public, while others are limited to Indoor airPLUS partners. To partner with Indoor airPLUS, please follow the steps outlined on the “Join Indoor airPLUS page.”

**On this page:**

Commit to Building 100% Indoor airPLUS

Discover Indoor airPLUS Homes Customizable Booklet

Indoor airPLUS Sales Training Kit

Breathe Easy In Your New Indoor airPLUS Home

Promotional Guidelines

Web Linking Guidelines

Web Buttons and Widgets

Commit to Building 100% Indoor airPLUS

When you commit to 100% Indoor airPLUS, you’re giving ALL your homebuyers a safer, healthier, more durable home – and a mark they can trust.

Sign into your My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA) to select the Indoor airPLUS 100% Commitment designation and get access to logos and a unique mark on the ENERGY STAR Partner Locator.

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Discover Indoor airPLUS Homes Customizable Booklet

This consumer booklet was designed with home buyers in mind. It explains the features included in every Indoor airPLUS home that promote a healthier, safer home. This resource is customizable and provides space for company-specific information.

Indoor airPLUS partners can find this customizable booklet by logging into their My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA).

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Indoor airPLUS Sales Training Kit

Improve your sales agent’s ability to effectively communicate the value of improved indoor air quality and the features and benefits of the Indoor airPLUS Program. Designed to be compatible with the ENERGY STAR Sales Training Kit, this training module can be integrated into your regular sales training programs or can be used as a stand-alone training.

Indoor airPLUS partners can find this Sales Training Kit by logging into their My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA).

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Breathe Easy In Your New Indoor airPLUS Home

This consumer pamphlet summarizes Indoor airPLUS for potential new home buyers. It explains the advantages of building a new home with Indoor airPLUS as well as the features of an Indoor airPLUS labeled home. This is a great resource for builders to promote their Indoor airPLUS labeled homes.

Breathe Easy In Your New Indoor airPLUS Home (Four-fold)

Breathe Easy in Your New Indoor airPLUS Home (Co-brandable version)
The co-brandable version is a tri-fold with a full-color house cutaway that explains the benefits of an Indoor airPLUS labeled home. Indoor airPLUS partners can find this customizable brochure by logging into their My ENERGY STAR Account (MESA).

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Promotional Guidelines

Intended for Indoor airPLUS Partners only, these guidelines include details on how to use the promotional and certification marks for Indoor airPLUS. Revised March 2017.

Promotional Guidelines

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Web Linking Guidelines

Intended for Indoor airPLUS partners only, these guidelines include details on how to take advantage of your organization's listing on the ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS Partner Locator by providing a link to your company's website when you meet certain requirements.

Web Linking Guidelines

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Web Buttons and Widgets

Web buttons and widgets are a small piece of web programming code that makes a useful and interesting graphic appear on your blog, wiki, or web page. They can be used to easily educate customers on Indoor airPLUS, indoor air quality, and healthier homes. Partners can add these free tools to their website to promote their partnership with Indoor airPLUS.

Web Buttons and Widgets

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Indoor airPLUS General Partnership Terms and Commitments Aug 01, 2016

Show notes

Updated: August 1, 2016

EPA Commitments to Indoor airPLUS Partners

Increase awareness of the Indoor airPLUS label by distributing key messages on the benefits of Indoor airPLUS qualified homes.
Provide Indoor airPLUS partners with public recognition for their involvement in Indoor airPLUS and role in protecting human health and the environment through the online ENERGY STAR New Homes Partner Locator tool, the Indoor airPLUS web site, special awards, and/or other media.
Provide current Indoor airPLUS news, information, and reference documents (via the Indoor airPLUS website, email or other means).
Promptly assist any partner with requests for information or clarification on Indoor airPLUS policies.
EPA will maintain the integrity of the Indoor airPLUS marks and take all possible steps to deter their misuse.

Indoor airPLUS Homebuilder Partner Commitments

Use the partnership and the Indoor airPLUS label to promote indoor air quality as an easy and desirable option for new homebuyers to help protect their health and the environment.
Adhere to the Indoor airPLUS Promotional Guidelines and ensure that authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies, distributors, and subcontractors, also comply.
Maintain current ENERGY STAR Certified Homes partnership and complete required ENERGY STAR trainings.
To maintain an active partnership, partner must have at least one home built and qualified to earn the Indoor airPLUS label, and reported to EPA by an accredited Home Energy Rating Provider partner, in the preceding 12-month period (24 months for small volume builders).
1. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the partner will be deemed ’inactive,’ will no longer have access to program benefits, and must promptly cease its use of the Indoor airPLUS name and Marks in all applications.
2. To re-activate the partnership, the organization must review the most recent program requirements and Terms and Commitments of this AGREEMENT found at http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/join-indoor-airplus-program and have at least one home qualified to earn the Indoor airPLUS label reported to EPA by an accredited Home Energy Rating Provider partner.
Clearly inform homebuyers when their new homes have qualified for the Indoor airPLUS label and be able to describe the features and benefits of these Indoor airPLUS qualified homes. For each qualified home, provide the homeowner with an Indoor airPLUS label affixed to the home’s electrical panel (or other suitable location) as well as an Indoor airPLUS certificate.
Partner understands that EPA periodically updates the Indoor airPLUS program requirements and will provide notice to partners before the effective date of the amendment.
Partner is responsible for monitoring EPA’s communications about the program and the ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS websites and will incorporate any program changes into its activities.
Upon request, partner must provide EPA with relevant documentation regarding any home or homes qualified as Indoor airPLUS (or potentially represented to homebuyers as such), including, but not limited to, Home Energy Rating (HERS) reports, ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS inspection checklists, and promotional materials.
1. If EPA determines that a home has been improperly qualified as Indoor airPLUS, partner will take necessary actions to resolve the deficiencies documented by EPA in a timely manner.
2. If the partner is unable to document that a home has been properly built and verified to meet program requirements, the Indoor airPLUS label must be removed from the home, as well as any other promotional materials that imply that the home is qualified.
If the partner fails to comply with any of the Terms and Commitments of this AGREEMENT, uses the Indoor airPLUS marks improperly, or is found to have other documented infractions pertaining to the rating and verification of homes, their partnership may be terminated.

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Home Energy Rater/Rating Provider Partner Commitments

Use the partnership and the Indoor airPLUS label to promote indoor air quality as an easy and desirable option for new homebuyers to help protect their health and the environment.
Adhere to the Indoor airPLUS Promotional Guidelines and ensure that authorized representatives, such as advertising agencies, distributors, and subcontractors, also comply.
Maintain current ENERGY STAR Certified Homes partnership and complete any required ENERGY STAR trainings if applicable.
Submit quarterly reports to EPA through Homes Online Submission Tool (HOST), specifying the number of homes verified as meeting Indoor airPLUS construction specifications (Rating Providers only).
Home Energy Rater partners must ensure that homes are reported to EPA in a timely fashion in coordination with a Rating Provider, that a completed Indoor airPLUS certificate is provided to the builder, and that an Indoor airPLUS qualification label is provided to the builder to be affixed to the circuit breaker box (or other suitable location) of all homes that meet the Indoor airPLUS program requirements.
To maintain an active partnership, partner must qualify at least one home to earn the Indoor airPLUS label and home must be reported to EPA by an accredited Home Energy Rating Provider partner, in the preceding 12-month period.
1. If this requirement is not fulfilled, the partner will be deemed ’inactive,’ will no longer have access to program benefits, and must promptly cease its use of the Indoor airPLUS name and Marks in all applications.
2. To re-activate the partnership, the organization must review the most recent program requirements and Terms and Commitments of this AGREEMENT found at http://www.epa.gov/indoorairplus/join-indoor-airplus-program and have at least one home qualified to earn the Indoor airPLUS label reported to EPA by an accredited Home Energy Rating Provider partner.
Partner understands that EPA periodically updates the Indoor airPLUS program requirements and will provide notice to partners before the effective date of the amendment.
Partner is responsible for monitoring EPA’s communications about the program and the ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS websites and will incorporate any program changes into its activities.
Upon request, partner must provide EPA with relevant documentation regarding any home or homes qualified as Indoor airPLUS (or potentially represented to homebuyers as such), including, but not limited to, Home Energy Rating (HERS) reports, ENERGY STAR and Indoor airPLUS inspection checklists, and promotional materials.
1. If EPA determines that a home has been improperly qualified as Indoor airPLUS, partner will take necessary actions to resolve the deficiencies documented by EPA in a timely manner.
2. If the partner is unable to document that a home has been properly built and verified to meet program requirements, the Indoor airPLUS label must be removed from the home, as well as any other promotional materials that imply that the home is qualified.
If the partner fails to comply with any of the Terms and Commitments of this AGREEMENT, uses the Indoor airPLUS marks improperly, or is found to have other documented infractions pertaining to the rating of homes (e.g. suspension by VOO), their partnership may be terminated.

Indoor airPLUS Partnership Agreement - General Terms and Disclaimers

The partner will not construe, claim, or imply that its participation in Indoor airPLUS constitutes federal government approval, acceptance, or endorsement of anything other than the partner’s commitment to Indoor airPLUS. Partnership does not constitute federal government endorsement of the partner or its homes or services.
The partner understands that the activities it undertakes in connection with Indoor airPLUS are voluntary and not intended to provide services to the federal government. As such, the partner will not submit a claim for compensation to any federal agency.
The partner will not imply that homes built to Indoor airPLUS program requirements will necessarily improve the health of the occupants or that specific health outcomes will be guaranteed as a result of purchasing an Indoor airPLUS labeled home.
The partner and EPA will assume good faith as a general principle for resolving conflict and will seek to resolve all matters informally, so as to preserve maximum public confidence in Indoor airPLUS.
This agreement is voluntary and can be terminated by either party at any time for any reason, with no penalty.
Failure to comply with any of the terms of this Partnership Agreement can result in its termination and suspension of access to the benefits of Indoor airPLUS, including use of the marks.
EPA will actively pursue resolution of noncompliance related to the use of the Indoor airPLUS marks.

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