Indoor Climate Research and Training Division
The ICRT Division maintains their own website separate from the CCRPC.ORG site. For more detailed and up-to-date information about us, please visit the Indoor Climate Research and Training (ICRT) main website.
Who Are We
Indoor Climate Research and Training (ICRT) is focused on using sound principles of building science to advance the performance of homes by developing and disseminating knowledge and best practice through education, training, and research. ICRT conducts basic research at the intersection of energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ). ICRT maintains a state-of-the-art training center and administers the training program for the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP), which provides weatherization services to low-income Illinois residents and households. Research projects include studies on radon, ventilation, combustion safety, and the health consequences related to IAQ. ICRT partners with other academic institutions, research and advocacy groups, and government agencies to execute research and translate those results and feedback from the field into actionable practices and policies.
Origins
ICRT tracks its origins to the end of World War II when the University established the Small Homes Council to perform applied research on economically producing efficient and high quality homes for returning veterans. The Small Homes Council transitioned into the Building Research Council in the early 1990s, when they expanded their scope to include commercial building research.
Accredited Training
ICRT is accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) for its Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector training programs. ICRT is also certified as a Building Performance Institute (BPI) test center. The program trains and certifies employees from the 35 local community action agencies throughout Illinois. ICRT graduates perform weatherization work such as energy audits, quality control inspections, insulation, air sealing, and HVAC work, which includes cleaning, repairing, and upgrading equipment. The Illinois Weatherization Training and Certification Program (TCP) currently provides eleven courses for a total of over two hundred hours of required instruction to new local agency staff. ICRT also administers supplemental trainings, such as a one-week curriculum for training and certifying third-party IHWAP contractors a one-week curriculum for training energy auditors and quality control inspectors to be Healthy Home Evaluators, based on evidence-based principles of healthy housing continuing education courses (e.g. mobile home weatherization) for IHWAP agency personnel.
Transformative Research
In addition to its training efforts, ICRT performs sponsored research on residential building science. Current research efforts focus on the interaction of energy efficiency and indoor air quality with the goal of providing indoor environments that are safe, healthy, comfortable, and efficient. Sponsors include federal and state governments, non-profits, and industry organizations. ICRT conducts research in partnership with other researchers within and outside of universities. Research projects are often conducted in collaboration with practitioners and industry which facilitates bringing research results to scale.
ICRT Mission
ICRT’s mission is “To bridge the gaps between energy & health, and between research & practice to improve real outcomes for residents”.
ICRT aims to:
Perform applied research intended to improve housing conditions throughout the United States Provide strategies for maintaining healthy environments without sacrificing energy-efficiency Positively influence policy and standards through participation in committees, societies, and boards Integrate research and practice through joint projects and educational outreach Increase the number of active research grants, collaborating with other energy efficiency constituents Continuously apply innovation to research and educational opportunities, as well as departmental operations