Residential Ventilation for Existing Buildings

Of the many ASHRAE standards, none distinguish existing buildings from new buildings as clearly as Standard 62.2, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Although Standard 90.1, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, allows below-compliance equipment in existing buildings to remain in place, as Standard 62.2 does, the ventilation standard goes further by allowing more generous concessions for existing structures. Since 2010 Standard 62.2 has uniquely recognized the increased cost and challenges of adding mechanical ventilation to existing dwellings. This recognition is arguably responsible for the adoption of Standard 62.2-2010 by its biggest user, the Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).