Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Indoor airPLUS:
Building Safer and Healthier Homes
2022 EPA Indoor airPLUS Leader Award
Builder Application
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Overview:
The Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards were created to recognize outstanding Indoor airPLUS Program partners
who construct and verify Indoor airPLUS homes, designed and built for improved indoor air quality (I AQ). This
annual award acknowledges market leading builders and raters that promote the benefits of enhanced IAQ
protections and educate consumers on the value of safer, healthier, and more comfortable homes with the
Indoor airPLUS label
Benefits:
As an Indoor airPLUS Leader Award recipient your organization receives the following benefits:
• Customized Leader Award marketing collateral;
• 2022 Leader Award Winner banner;
• Award, presented at ceremony hosted at the EEBA High Performance Home Summit;
• Recognition and web linking on the EPA website;
• Email and social media promotion; and
• Opportunity to earn EPA's Indoor airPLUS Leader of the Year Award {awarded to just one builder and
rater).
Eligibility:
To be considered eligible for the award, a builder must:
• Have built at least three (3) Indoor airPLUS labeled homes in the previous calendar year (2021).
• Be in good standing as an Indoor airPLUS partner and with EPA regarding compliance with all
applicable regulations.
• Submit a valid, completed application for the award.
Note, only one organization will be awarded per application. If your organization worked collaboratively with
another Indoor airPLUS partner on a project or development and each organization wishes to be recognized as
Award Winners (e.g., both a builder and developer partner working on a project together), each organization
needs to submit unique applications.
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What you need to submit:
• Complete all fields below. Responses to each narrative question must be typed.
• Submit at minimum 6 media assets with descriptions to be included in featured profiles of the winners.
Assets can include photos of Indoor airPLUS labeled homes (under construction or finished), marketing
and sales materials, trainings (internal and external), and/or presentations at conferences. Supplemental
materials such as additional photos or illustrative examples are strongly encouraged. See the Media
Submission Form at the end of this application for more details.
• When finished, submit this application via email to Indoor airPLUS@epa.gov. Once you have submitted
the completed application, the Indoor airPLUS Programwill provide a linkto your own online folder
where you will be able to easily submit all images and supplemental materials.
When you need to submit:
• Applications are due by 8 pm EDT, June 3,2022.
What to expect after you submit:
• Confirmation of Receipt: A confirmation email will be sent to the email address listed in your
application within 2 business days of its submission and will contain further instructions on how to
access and submit all supplemental materials via your online folder. If you do not receive confirmation
within this timeframe, please contact Indoor airPLUS@epa.aov.
• Notification: You will be notified of the status of your application by August 12,2022.
Ceremony Details: The Indoor airPLUS Leader Awards will be publicly announced on or before August 15,2022
and will be formally presented during the EEBA High Performance Home Summit. September 20-22,2022.
EPA will also be presenting the Indoor airPLUS Leader of the Year Award to just one outstanding builder and
rater partner, selected from the pool of Leader Award winners. The builder winner may be selected from any of
the builder categories. The winning builder and rater will be chosen based on their achievements with Indoor
airPLUS in the previous year, showcased by the quality of their Leader Award application. These two Leader of
the Year winners will be announced during the award ceremony at the EEBA Summit.
This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your great work at a nationally recognized conference for high
performance building!
We strongly encourage you to review the Indoor airPLUS 2022 Leader Awards scoring criteria, located in
the Appendix, prior to completing your application.
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Required Information:
Organization Name:
Contact Name:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Physical Address (for award distribution):
Company Website:
Company Social Media Pages:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Other:
Number of homes built in 2021 (total volume constructed):
Number of Indoor airPLUS labeled homes built and verified in 2021:
Number of Indoor airPLUS labeled homes built and verified in 2021 that qualify as affordable housing:
Select application category: ~ Small Builder (<30 homes) ~ Large Builder (>30 homes) ~ Corporate Builder
Note: For Corporate Builder applications (builders with two or more eligible divisions), include the total
volume constructed and total number of labeled homes for all Indoor airPLUS builder partner divisions.
Eligible divisions must each have individual Indoor airPLUS partnerships and must each have built a
minimum of 3 Indoor airPLUS homes in 2022.
Commitment to Continued Participation:
~ By checking this box, you acknowledge your intention to remain actively involved in the construction of at
least one Indoor airPLUS home in the next 12 months.
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Narrative Questions:
See additional streamlined instructions for "Repeat Award Recipients" on page 10.
1. Describe howyou sell and market the Indoor airPLUS Program and how you educate clients on IAQ, health,
and safety. Provide specific examples of your marketing materials and sales approaches, including their
reach and impact. (Please upload examples in your online folder provided by EPA following receipt of your
application.)
2. The Indoor airPLUS Leader Award recognizes partners that champion the program and also provide healthier
living environments to their clients while differentiating themselves in the homebuilding market. Why does
your organization deserve to be recognized as a 2022 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award recipient?
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3. a) Has your organization made the Indoor airPLUS 100% Commitment for 2022, intending to label all of your
homes this year? OYES ONO
*Note-the 100% Commitment is not a requirement to be awarded the 2022 Leader Award.
b) If yes, how have you leveraged this designation?
c) If no, what details are you considering or barriers are you encountering in building all your homes to Indoor
airPLUS?
4. Homeowner Testimonial: To earn points for Homeowner Testimonials please attach up to two (2) testimonials
in a supplemental document or paste text in the box below. Please attribute the quote to the homeowner(s)
(first name and last initial are sufficient) and provide any other insights you are receiving from homeowners. If
testimonials are used for educational or promotional purposes, EPA will abbreviate or anonymize testimonials
at the partner's request. Please limit testimonials to those captured since the last award cycle.
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Media Submission Form
This form is required by all applicants, including Repeat Award Recipients. Please provide at minimum 6 media
assets, including both technical (3) and marketing (3) assets. Supplemental materials such as additional
photos or illustrative examples are strongly encouraged. These details and images will be used to create
featured profiles of the winners. This is your opportunity to showcase the ways your organization meets the
Indoor airPLUS standard through innovative construction techniques, attention to detail, and commitment to IAQ.
Examples of technical images can be, but are not limited to, the following ideas:
• Air Sealing Measures (Describe key air sealing techniques, materials used, and final air change rate)
• Heating/Cooling (Describe HAC system type and fuel; AFUE; SEER; duct type; location of air handler(s);
filter locations, dimensions, and MERV Rating)
• Ventilation Strategy - Whole Dwelling (Describe overall strategy (e.g., balanced, central supply,
integrated supply/exhaust, exhaust-only, etc.), equipment type, and location)
• Ventilation Strategy - Local Exhaust (Describe exhaust fan features and controls for bathrooms,
kitchens)
Examples of marketing assets can include marketing and sales materials, trainings (internal and external), and/or
presentations at conferences. See the Scoring Criteria section for further examples on marketing and outreach.
^Required Asset 1 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
^Required Asset 2 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
^Required Asset 3 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
^Required Asset 4 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
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^Required Asset 5 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
^Required Asset 6 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
Optional Asset 7 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
Optional Asset 8 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
Optional Asset 9 - File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
Optional Asset 10- File Name:
Description of asset/feature(s) shown in image:
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Appendix
i. Scoring Matrix
Scoring Criteria:
EPA recognizes that small and large builders have different approaches to marketing and promotion. As such,
applications submitted for the 2022 Indoor airPLUS Leader Award will be scored based upon the following
criteria.
Criteria
Points By Category
Small Builder
(<30 homes1)
Max
Pts
Large Builder
(>30 homes1)
Max
Pts
Corporate Builder
(multiple divisions2)
Max
Pts
Percentage of total volume
constructed that are Indoor
airPLUS labeled
0-5% = 2
6-25% = 5
26-74% = 10
75-99% = 15
100% = 20
20
0-5% = 5
6-25% = 10
26-74% = 20
75-99% = 25
100% = 30
30
0-5% = 5
6-25% = 10
26-74% = 20
75-99% = 25
100% = 30
30
Indoor airPLUS web presence
(website, social media)
20
15
15
Approach to Indoor airPLUS
marketing, education, and
outreach
20
15
15
Review of Narrative Questions
10
10
10
Homeowner testimonials (5
pts/each, up to two. Attach
examples.)
10
10
10
Indoor airPLUS Media
Submission
20
20
20
BONUS
10
10
10
Total (110 possible w/ bonus)
100
100
100
1 Refers to the total number of homes built by a single entity OR a single division within a corporate entity.
2 Builders that have two or more Indoor airPLUS partner divisions at the time of application may apply in the Corporate
category. To apply as a corporate builder all partner divisions must be eligible per the eligibility criteria. In this category,
the points for "percentage of total volume constructed" will be determined based on the average per division.
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ii. Scoring Criteria
Criteria Details: Below are additional details describing how EPA will be reviewing and scoring these
applications.
Percentage of total volume constructed
• Builders are strongly encouraged to offer Indoor airPLUS as a standard across all of their homes,
streamlining their construction process and simplifying the message to the consumer. Maximum points
are awarded only for 100% participation. See breakdown of point structure in scoring matrix above.
Indoor airPLUS web presence
• Website - A strong web presence can include but is not limited to the following:
o The Indoor airPLUS logo featured on the company website as an indicator of partnership;
o A description of the Indoor airPLUS program features and benefits;
o Link(s) to Indoor airPLUS web page(s);
o Homeowner testimonials and/or videos about their experience in Indoor airPLUS homes;
o A page dedicated to Indoor airPLUS and/or healthy homes and IAQ;
o Indoor airPLUS videos, publications, and other applicable media;
o Original material created by the organization to showcase Indoor airPLUS homes, such as a
photo gallery, educational materials, and videos;
o Relevant keyword tags for improved search engine optimization (SEO).
• Social Media - Builders are strongly encourage to follow and interact with Indoor airPLUS social media
accounts (Twitter and Facebook). and to post their own Indoor airPLUS content regularly. Applicants will
be scored on:
o The number of posts related to Indoor airPLUS and/or healthy homes and IAQ;
o The distribution of their posts across the calendar year - builders who post related content
evenly throughout the year will be scored higher;
o Posts that include content specific to Indoor airPLUS. not just IAQ. For example, a post that says
"Per Indoor airPLUS specifications, all of our homes are built with HVAC systems that are
equipped to handle MERV 13 filtration" would score higher than one that says "All of our homes
are built with HVAC systems that are equipped to handle MERV 13 filtration."; and
o Interactions with the Indoor airPLUS social media accounts: a higher number of likes,
comments, shares, and retweets will positively impact your score.
Examples of Indoor airPLUS in marketing, education, and outreach
• The applicant utilizes the Indoor airPLUS label as a marketing tool to promote healthier homes to
consumers. For Example:
o Traditional advertising such as radio, TV, print, direct mail, newsletters, or billboards/transit
signage;
o Onsite promotions such as outdoor signage (yard signs, flags, banners), in-model displays,
videos, trade show promotion, or Indoor airPLUS-themed community events; and
o Collaterals, fact sheets, case studies, testimonials, or other materials explaining the benefits of
an Indoor airPLUS home to the resident.
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o NOTE: Please describe and upload marketing examples that have been utilized by your company
only since the last award cycle.
• Builder provides training activities for construction staff, trade contractors, real estate agents, or other
stakeholders on best practices for design, construction, and implementation of Indoor airPLUS features.
For example:
o Encouraging staff to attend external training programs and conferences relating to healthy
homes and IAQ;
o Holding in-house training or educational sessions for staff to learn more about building for IAQ;
and
o Encouraging staff to register for, view, and actively participate in Indoor airPLUS-hosted
• Builder provides educational material focusing on the importance of IAQ, the Indoor airPLUS features
included in their home, and strategies for long-term maintenance. For example:
o Use of the "Breathe Easy In Your New Indoor airPLUS Home" or "Discover Indoor airPLUS
Homes" co-brandable resources;
o Educational events, such as presentations, community films, or gatherings with the goal of
educating about Indoor airPLUS and IAQ;
o Resources on home maintenance and upkeep to help maintain improved IAQ;
o Original material created by the builder to educate on IAQ and/orthe Indoor airPLUS program;
and
o Outside material used by the builder to educate on IAQ and/or the Indoor airPLUS program.
Review of narrative questions
• Respond to the Narrative Questions in the text boxes provided above, fully addressing each part of the
question. Please provide any supplemental materials to your answers in your online folder referenced
above.
• Simplified Instructions for Repeat Award Recipients: If your organization received a Leader Award last
year, your narrative responses may be streamlined. If you are eligible, in questions 1,2, and 3 please
enter in these fields, "We affirm that we are continuing to undertake the Indoor airPLUS related activities
as described in our last application," and describe any changes to your Indoor airPLUS activities
since your last application was submitted.
• Please note applications that highlight the use of new and innovative approaches to promote Indoor
airPLUS are viewed favorably during the application scoring process.
Homeowner testimonials
• Please provide examples of one or more testimonials describing their experience living in an Indoor
airPLUS labeled home.
• Examples of content might include: noticeably improved air quality, reduction in health issues, and/or
overall satisfaction with durability and construction quality of home. Please also explain your process for
collecting testimonials (e.g. email, homeowner evaluation, follow-up questions upon closing, social
media posts, etc.).
webinars.
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Media Submission Form Response
• This form is required by all applicants, including Repeat Award Recipients.
• Provide at minimum 6 media assets, including both technical (3) and marketing (3) assets. Supplemental
materials such as additional photos or illustrative examples are strongly encouraged.
• The technical images can be from the same or multiple homes. Images that specifically showcase Indoor
airPLUS related features or construction specifications are preferred.
• Marketing assets can include marketing and sales materials, trainings (internal and external), and/or
presentations at conference. See the preceding sections for further examples.
• Use the space provided on the form to provide any relevant context for each image. It does not need to
be overly detailed but sufficient to clearly understand the reason it was submitted.
Bonus Materials (MAX 10 extra points)
• Did we miss something you'd like us to consider? Applicants are encouraged to submit additional
examples and materials to count towards their score, along with a brief justification forthe additional
submission, if necessary.
• Please provide any supplemental materials in your online folder. Examples of bonus materials include,
but are not limited to:
o Informational or promotional video related to Indoor airPLUS;
o Information packets for your Indoor airPLUS homes;
o Letters of recommendation from rater ortrades about your Indoor airPLUS homes;
o IAQ testing or monitoring results; and
o Energy modeling and/or monitoring results.
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