ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Building Science

Building science is like understanding how a house or building works. Just like how your body needs many systems, like your heart and lungs, to work together to keep you healthy, buildings also have many systems that need to work together to keep people healthy and comfortable inside.

One important thing about building science is making sure that the different parts of the building don't interfere with each other. For example, if a house is too airtight, then it might trap in harmful gases like carbon monoxide from gas stoves or fireplaces. On the other hand, if a house is too drafty and lets in too much air from outside, then it might be harder to keep the house warm or cool, which can make people uncomfortable.

To make buildings more energy-efficient, building designers and engineers have come up with ways to insulate and seal homes better. This means that less air can get in or escape, which makes it easier to heat or cool the home. However, this also means that it's important to make sure homes are properly ventilated to prevent harmful pollutants from getting trapped inside.

Overall, building science is about understanding how houses and buildings work together to keep people safe, healthy, and comfortable, while also using energy efficiently.