Home is where families come together. Yet for decades, home design has focused heavily on energy efficiency while leaving indoor air quality (IAQ) behind.

To bridge this critical gap, GO AQS has launched the GO IAQS for Residential Buildings strategic plan. This document is for the architects, builders, code makers, and families in order to make air quality a responsibility for all and make healthy indoor environments a standard in every home.

While regulators cannot enforce rules inside private kitchens or bedrooms, families still deserve absolute clarity on what safe air looks like. By replacing outdated guidelines with clear data and smart engineering, GO IAQS makes clean air the default.

Many modern building standards create an “energy trap”. They seal homes tight to save energy, but fail to set clear safety limits for everyday indoor pollutants.

The Problem: Outdated Rules & The “Energy Trap”

• Buried Guidelines: Crucial health advice is often locked behind expensive paywalls or hidden in hard-to-navigate government sites.
• Trapped Toxins: Tight homes without proper ventilation trap fine dust (PM2.5), toxic formaldehyde off-gassing from new furniture, and carbon monoxide.
• Climate Stress: Wildfires and extreme weather make outdoor air unpredictable, causing pollutants to gather inside our living spaces.

Health-Backed Limits

GO AQS publishes clear, health-centric limits (GO IAQS Ultimate) to protect everyday living spaces:

Pollutant	Limit	Rationale & Protection
Fine Dust (PM2.5)	15 μg/m3 (1h)	Protects against fine combustion particles.
Carbon Monoxide	31 ppm (1h) / 9 ppm (8h)	Prevents chronic low-level exposure.
Formaldehyde	27 ppb threshold	Limits off-gassing from new materials and builds.
Carbon Dioxide	800 ppm threshold	Measures adequate fresh air exchange.
Nitrogen Dioxide	106ppb (1h) / 21 ppb (8h)	Protects against gas cooking and traffic fumes.
Radon	100 Bq/m3 threshold	Strict target to protect long-term lung health.
Humidity	40 – 60 %	Prevents mold, dampness, and dust mites.

To make management easy, GO AQS created the GO IAQS Score. This simple rating (Good, Moderate, Unhealthy) acts as a universal language for both families and automated smart home systems.

Actionable Solutions for Everyone

For Architects & Builders

• Invisible Care: Build automated systems into homes so occupants get clean air automatically, just like turning on a tap for clean water.
• Energy Savings: Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) filter incoming fresh air while reusing up to 90% of indoor thermal energy, lowering heating and cooling bills.
• Source Control: Choose non-toxic paints and low-emission materials from the start to reduce the need for constant heavy ventilation.

For Code Makers & Housing Providers

• Massive Economic Relief: Poor housing conditions currently cost healthcare systems like the UK’s NHS £1.4 billion every year in direct treatment costs.
• High Social Value: Studies show that every £1 invested in home air quality sensors returns £2.68 in social value by preventing respiratory illness and protecting buildings.
• Privacy First: Privacy-focused sensors protect resident data while helping housing providers catch dampness and mold before structural damage occurs.

For Homeowners & Families

• Daily Awareness: Cooking without an exhaust fan, burning candles, or using synthetic cleaners can cause sudden pollutant spikes.
• Real-Time Control: Continuous monitoring lets you know exactly when to open a window or turn on an air purifier to keep your family safe.

Learn More & Get Involved

Whether you are designing your next residential project, updating building policies, or simply trying to protect your family’s health at home, the resources you need are freely accessible.

To dive deeper into the full strategic plan, view technical resources, or adopt the GO IAQS framework, visit https://goaqs.org/go-iaqs-for-residential-buildings/ today.