What is Indoor airPlus Certification?
Last Updated: Feb 11, 2025Indoor airPLUS (IAP) is a voluntary partnership and labeling program that helps home builders improve indoor air quality in new home construction. The program requires certain construction practices and product specifications. These steps help minimize exposure to airborne pollutants and contaminants.
In 2008, the US Environmental Protection Agency developed IAP as an indoor air quality label for healthy, newly constructed homes as an indoor air quality add-on to ENERGY STAR Certified Homes. IAP later became an independent program that builds on ENERGY STAR's energy-efficient features. IAP requires that program as a prerequisite. Now, the Department of Energy's Zero Energy Ready Homes program requires IAP as part of its label, as does Passive House.
Other programs such as LEED and National Green Building Standard offer points for their projects that earn Indoor airPLUS.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Benefits of Indoor airPLUS Certification?
- What Are Indoor airPLUS' Main Areas of Focus?
- What Types of Homes Can Get Certified as Indoor airPLUS Homes?
- How Many Homes Have Been Indoor airPLUS Certified?
- When Is the Expected Update to the Original Indoor airPLUS Specifications?
- Where Is the Indoor airPLUS Certification Adopted the Most?
- Is the Indoor airPLUS Certification Accepted Only in the US?
- What Are the Steps to Indoor airPLUS Certification?
- How Much Does Indoor airPLUS Certification Cost?
- What Is the Projected Value of Indoor airPLUS Certification?
What Are the Benefits of Indoor airPLUS Certification?
The label helps IAP's builder partners stand out in a market where many builders advertise their skill in building energy-efficient, sustainable homes. Many builders advertise their homes as energy-efficient - which is true with most homes built to the current energy codes. But, homebuyers also want healthy homes – interest is growing rapidly since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. IAP homes are healthy and energy-efficient, enabling IAP builders to be competitive with health-conscious and energy-conscious buyers.
IAP is the only indoor air quality label backed by the EPA and verified by a third party. Industry professionals believe this verification gives consumers confidence. Confidence that their new home is supported by the best science available to improve indoor air quality, in contrast to other homes that don't carry the label.
What Are Indoor airPLUS' Main Areas of Focus?
IAP construction specifications focus on the following key areas:
- Moisture management to help keep mold, pest residue, and common allergens from entering a home
- HVAC systems that are appropriately sized and include improved ductwork and filtration and whole-house spot ventilation to remove indoor pollutants
- Radon-resistant construction systems in areas with high radon potential
- Building materials that have fewer chemicals, which are stored on-site in protected areas to keep them from getting damaged by weather
- Preventing pest infestation by sealing cracks and caulking or screening where pests may enter a home
- Combustion pollutants protection with the installation of heating equipment that can't spill combustion gases into a home and preventing pollutants in the garage from entering the house
When Is the Expected Update to the Original Indoor airPLUS Specifications?
Version 2 of IAP is out for public comment. The EPA is developing specifications to bring the label into existing homes. The comment period for the proposed Version 2 of the Indoor airPLUS New Construction Specifications began on December 18, 2020, and goes through March 17, 2021.
EPA also is considering releasing a new partnership category called Advocate Partners. These are manufacturers or service providers such as radon service providers, who contribute to helping the builder meet one of IAP's specific requirements in its construction specification.
Is the Indoor airPLUS Certification Accepted Only in the US?
Indoor airPLUS is recognized only in the US and its territories. There is no similar program in Canada, although Canadian builders have reached out to the EPA to implement an IAP program or something similar. As of now, there are no plans for US EPA to make Indoor airPLUS available in Canada.
How Much Does Indoor airPLUS Certification Cost?
It doesn't cost anything for a builder or Rater to partner with EPA to participate in the program. Also, EPA provides advertising materials at no cost to partners.
There are some costs for homes to earn the label. First, the house must undergo verification by an independent Rater who will charge for their services. And, the cost of building an Indoor airPLUS home depends on many factors. These include whether it's built to minimum code and what version of the code has been adopted by the home's jurisdiction; if it's already being built as an ENERGY STAR home; and in what climate and radon zone the home is located. Homes in hot, humid climates will likely cost more to build because of added moisture protection. But, since moisture is detrimental to indoor air quality, homes located in hot, humid climates can be the ones that need Indoor airPLUS the most.
Stacey Freed
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