Overview Today more and more people are choosing to live in energy-efficient homes. The Bonneville Power Administration is interested in these home because as well as providing a good value to the consumer, they also offer the region an important and practical opportunity to save energy. Energy-efficient homes have features designed to keep the cold out and hold the heat in. This saves energy and money. However, these same features may also increase the potential for greater concentrations of indoor air pollutants.
Indoor pollutants exist in all homes.
Energy-efficient measures do not cause indoor air pollution, but they may aggravate existing or potential air quality problems. Some of the major indoor air pollutants are gases and particles generated when people use wood burning stoves and gas ranges, or when they smoke. Other pollutants such as formaldehyde and organic chemicals are emitted by certain building materials, home furnishing, cleaning products and pesticides. Pollutants outside also can contribute to poor indoor air quality. Gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from cars and industrial emissions can migrate indoors.