Paper. Rock. Science. #everythingisconnected
Virginia, USA
Joined November 2015
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“Air does not have borders. Water does not have borders. Humans do not have borders...” - Dionne Brand. TFW when my heart and #buildingscience are 100% in sync.
Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
Me, on the absurdity of our approach to indoor air quality standards v. outdoor air quality (you will be shocked by what I share, and you will agree it's absurd.) Thanks to @EricTopol for having me on. Full links to our 60-minute interview in his bio.
Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
Sound Smarter on the Jobsite: "Send me the CAD files."
Haven't done one of these in a while!
As yesterday's lively discussion reminds us, many people really don't understand this issue, and get quite spicy about it.
Why is this such a touchy topic?!
Let's get into it:
Microplastics are so tiny they can get past the blood / brain barrier. They are just one kind of micro-particulate in indoor air. This article is a great way to visualize and understand some of the ways that indoor air pollutants interact. washingtonpost.com/climate-e…
It can be done! Buildings are a system of systems. The best time to get it right is at initial construction. The second best time is at the point of significant remodel or renovation. You can even get it right during a general energy retrofit - building science is the key.
Just posted 0.8 ACH blower door test results on a renovation of a 100+ year old house we're working on.
That's a pretty big deal!
We tested this one *before* putting up drywall, so we could address any air leakage/insulation issues before walls are closed up. We'll test again at the end of the project; it should be even tighter.
Results like these are a testament to a lot of teamwork: design, engineering, GC, and subs. And frankly, we didn't have to do a ton of weird or over the top details. It's mostly everyone paying close attention and doing their jobs well.
We also planned for the house to be this tight, and have a Zehnder whole house ERV system, properly sized kitchen exhaust, etc. When a house is tight, you have to "ventilate right" to avoid moisture issues or CO2, etc issues.
All this effort is not only good for general energy use reduction, but also for comfort, lower energy bills, and a better quality build over all. And the inside of the house is *so* quiet!
Proud of the team today 🥰🛠️
Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
Hands-down, the best part about this heat pump hot water heater is that when it is hot and humid outside (like today), it air conditions and dehumidifies my garage workshop.
Smooooooth! And yes you can bet I'm learning this song and playing it around the campfire at my upcoming family reunion.
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Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
Like many, we were surprised to learn that, as early as the 19th century, public health specialists and engineers knew precisely how to create the ideal conditions for limiting airborne transmission and promoting learning. Here are some of the pioneers of indoor air quality. 🔽
Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
While we're talking about numbers...great progress in lowering the outdoor air pollution limit for PM2.5 from 12 ug/m3 to 9 ug/m3. Do you know what the legally enforceable limit is for *indoor* particles? Have a listen.
Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
Glad to share our recently published study in ES&T Air evaluating 13 different air cleaners for PM and VOC removal under wildfire smoke conditions. We evaluated 13 different commercial and DIY air cleaners in a test chamber w/ pine needle wildfire smoke challenge
Monica Rokicki 🥑 retweeted
what is this nuttery?
also:
how do I get involved?
will my family collude?
omg this article is a window to my building-science soul.
If only:
1. A 3rd party whole house load calc were required as a double check for any Manual J and based on code tightness for new buildings (easy and cheap, really!*)
Cont. ...
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2. Installation crew were required to submit both refrigerant charge and pressure across the coil with filters installed for any new system
3. Duct blaster tests required on any new system where ducts are outside the conditioned building enclosure (not just new construction)
...
Substitute "Fresh Air Ventilation Needed" and "Area of Home" and my research suggests the existence of a one-size-fits-all ERV that never needs calibration or verification. Real life in the field never fails to surprise me. #buildingscience
I tested this in my car and watched in fascination as CO2 rose to 1200 ppm in 15 minutes, moderate city traffic on recirculation mode. Fresh air mode levels stayed constantly in the high 400s. Important lesson for homes, where recirculation without a fresh air option is typical.
This thread is for all of the people who think you can spray mold away in houses. The real solution for homes is moisture control but this thread will still both freak you out and impress you.
FUNGUS IN SPACE!!! 🍄🚀
Equal parts cosmic horror and nature being metal, let's talk about the lichen that grew on the OUTSIDE of the International Space Station!
Get your tea and curl up, because I PROMISE you wanna hear about these fungal cosmonauts 🧑🚀
🧵
ALT Image of Xanthoria elegans, also known as Rusavskia elegans, commonly known as Sunburst Lichen, growing on a rock. It's bright orange!
ALT Image from the ISS: Looking out of the 'Cupola,' an observation window of the ISS built by the European Space Agency. The dome weighs over 1800kg and is equipped with shutters in case of contact with micrometeorites and debris. PHOTOGRAPH BY PAOLO NESPOLI AND ROLAND MILLER