Attached Garages: IAQ Implications and Solutions

Attached garages are a staple of modern convenience. They allow access to and from the living space without exposure to the elements, and they keep vehicles and other contents warmer in cold weather then their detached counterparts. As such they are a sought after feature in both the real estate and new construction markets. For all their conveniences, attached garages can pose a threat to a home’s indoor air quality. Carbon monoxide from internal combustion engines is poisonous at moderate concentrations, and effects from chronic exposure to volatile organic compounds from chemicals such as pesticides, paints, and other frequently garaged items are likely detrimental. These contaminants and their byproducts can migrate across garage house interfaces through bypasses in the structure, or via ductwork or HVAC equipment present in garages. This paper presents results from an ASHRAE-sponsored project on the migration of garage contaminants into the home in five houses in central Illinois with a variety of attached garage configurations.