Tightening Up

Those first signs of fall: Football, leaves turning colors, the Chicago Cubs sidelined for another year. There's also that machine in the basement (or in some other location in the home), that has may already have been fired up: the furnace. And our thoughts turn to making it run more efficiently. We get the caulk gun out, put the storm windows in, check for gaps at the entry doors. Alll good things. Saving energy saves money.

But it can also alter the environment of the home dramatically, if your heating system was not designed for mechanical ventilation. We have now sealed up our home's means of fresh air supply.

Which is okay, because it wasn't a very reliable means anyway. We just have to be cognizant that we have change the efficiency of the home for the better and now have to help it's respiratory system (it well benefit our respiratory system as well).

A leaky home, while letting the house "breathe", is not a desirable solution. To begin with, the sources of air can't be controlled. While some may be coming from around the windows and doors, it may also be coming from the garage--where the car, lawn mower and a vast array of chemicals may be stored. When the furnace blower starts, it draws air from the path of least, which if not sealed, could be the garage.

Another problem with that "not too tight" house is that you can't control when it leaks. There's quite a difference in leakage on 40 degree day with no wind and a a 40 degree day with even a 10 mph constant wind. As it gets colder, the pressure differences change as well.

You can't control the humidity with leakage. And that's a real problem with air quality in the home. Too low or too high creates a lot of unwanted consequences. Check out the EPA website for an overview (or for more in-depth info)

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/ia-intro.html.

The best steps: contact your utility company, an HVAC professional with blower-door testing capabilities, or a qualified energy rater. If you need help finding one, call us at 269.623.6642 or email:  info@coastlinebuilding.com. It is important.

Posted by COASTLINE BUILDING at 10/5/2008 8:08 PM
Categories: indoor air quality
Tags: green building green builders kalamazoo energy efficiency air changes hour indoor air quality energy efficient building Energy efficiency building
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