AIR QUALITY TERMS Category One - The State of Minnesota Energy Code that is part of the State’s building code, covering heating, ventilation, cooling systems, insulation and other energy efficiency features in new houses. The regulation is aimed at creating healthy indoor air quality by ventilating well-insulated houses to avoid moisture damage and maintain good indoor air quality. Electronic Air Cleaner - Electronic air cleaners remove unwanted pollutants - particles like dust, pollen, animal hair and dander, dust mites, mildew, lint, fungus, smoke and cooking grease, even bacteria. When this air goes through an electronic air cleaner, the pre-filter traps the majority of the large particles. The smaller particles continue to pass through the pre-filter and receive a positive electrical charge. Collector plates, which carry a negative charge, attract these small particles like magnets, holding them until they're washed off. Electronic air cleaners can remove up to 95% of airborne dust, pollen, odors, tobacco, and cooking particles. Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) - Exchanges stale indoor air for fresh outdoor air with minimal heat loss. In winter, warmth from the indoor air being vented out is transferred to the outside air being drawn in. Humidifier - An indoor air quality device that introduces moisture to heated air as it passes from the furnace into the ductwork for distribution throughout the home. IAQ - Indoor Air Quality Source point - The source point is where the HRV gets the dirty air it processes. Source points are either a special opening or the air from the returned air duct. Vent range hood - Hood over stove that vents air to the outside or circulates over a charcoal filter and returns air to the room. Even your cooking air needs to vent sometimes. Water Panel - A panel located inside a humidifier that absorbs water. Air blows across the panel to add humidity to the air in the house.