Notes that existing dwellings in the USA rely primarily on infiltration. Attempts to ascertain the energy liability associated with providing the current levels of ventilation and to estimate the energy savings or penalties associated with tightening or loosening the building envelope while still providing ventilation of adequate indoor air quality. Finds the national cost savings potential of tightening houses to ASHRAE Standard 119 levels while still providing adequate ventilation is 2.4 billion dollars.

KEYWORDS: year 1997, Housing, ventilation, USA, costs, energy conservation