While the interior design of your home may be artistic, the living condition definitely needs more science than art. For instance, indoor air quality, insulation, energy-saving, etc., are evaluated from a scientific perspective.

What Is Building Science?

Building science is a combination of knowledge that includes physics, chemistry, architecture, engineering, and life sciences. In this context, a study of how the physical condition of the building impacts the comfort levels of the homeowner, air quality, and its impact on health, energy efficiency, and structural soundness can clearly highlight the areas for improvement.

Who Are Building Scientists?

Building scientists are those that try to improve building construction, performance, and maintenance, to ensure that the technical capacity of the building is optimized for the long term. They also address issues of sustainability, energy usage, health, and pollution.

How Do Building Scientists Work?

Building scientists work towards home improvement. Their services include analyzing home health, evaluating air quality, testing the environment, maintaining building codes and safety, i.e., their scope of work would cover all areas of concern.

Home health: This constitutes the design, construction, maintenance, and renovation, if necessary, to provide a structurally healthy space for the resident. It also includes brightness, ventilation, and relative humidity levels.

Air quality: According to the US EPA, the right amount of humidity is anywhere between 30 and 50%. It may vary slightly based on the region. However, anything less than 30% would mean too dry, and over 50% would mean that the air is excessively moist. Neither extreme is conducive to good health. Testing the air quality for humidity, pollutants, dust, mold spores, etc., comes under scrutiny from the building scientist.

Environment tests: These tests will include the air quality but will also study the leaks in and around your home. It could mean that you need to measure the amount of leakage as even the smallest gap would mean problems with cooling and heating, entry of allergens, such as dust mites and pet dander.

Building codes: Ensuring that your home is compliant with all the local building codes is essential and must be assessed regularly to avoid accidents.

Finally, you have a clear understanding of what it takes to have a healthy home. The next step is to seek the services of skilled professionals who will undertake the evaluation and fix the problems from spray foam insulation, sealing the leaks, and making your home an energy-efficient haven.