Building Performance Institute, Inc. | Scoring Systems and Checklists

Scoring Systems

Hayward Score

The Hayward Score is a free assessment tool for occupants that helps them understand if their home may be impacting their health. Answering some simple questions allows Hayward to learn about the aspects of the home that influence indoor air quality including the environment (climate, proximity to pollutants), structure/conditions (age, building materials, mechanical systems, maintenance, attributes, water leaks), and behavior (habits, lifestyle, occupancy, pets). In addition, Hayward collects information on 23 health symptoms that have shown to be connected to the indoor environment as well as questions to understand the intensity of symptoms and whether they resolve when the occupant leaves the house. Hayward has over 70,000 completed Hayward Scores on homes across the U.S. Hayward’s database includes information from owners and renters and covers single-family, multi-family, high-rise, and military housing built over the last 120 years.

HUD Healthy Housing Rating Tool

The HHRS provides an analysis of just how hazardous a dwelling is and statistical information to assist assessors in making their judgments. The key principle of the system is that a dwelling, including the structure and associated outbuildings and garden, yard and/or other amenity space, and means of access, should provide a safe and healthy environment for the occupants. The inspection process is a risk-based assessment and considers the effect on occupant health of any hazards in the property. Hazards are rated according to how serious they are and the effect they are having, or could have, on the occupants. The basic principle is that the property should be safe and healthy for occupation.

EPA Indoor airPLUS-Existing Homes (IAP-X)

Currently under development, IAP-X will provide an EPA backed label on the home, assuring the occupants and potential buyers that significant elements in the home have achieved a level of rigor that allows it to be called an EPA Indoor airPLUS home.

The Indoor airPLUS-Existing Homes assessment looks at seven specific areas of the house:

Moisture Control
Radon
Pest Control
Mechanical Ventilation
Contaminant Control
Heating and Cooling
Combustion Pollutants

The IAP-X Specification initially assesses these elements and compares them to established standards, and, where necessary, provides guidelines on how to improve them. A final assessment verifies that all mandatory requirements have been met. The home will be awarded the Indoor airPLUS-Existing Homes label upon verification that the home is fully compliant with the Specification.