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Safety Concerns

Each year there are reports in the media telling of tragedies that occurred as a result of a home killing its occupants. In some cases, the homeowners themselves played a part in the tragedy. In others, it has been a case of a home simply not performing properly. It is a real concern and one that can be resolved in large part by a high-performance home.

The primary area that we are concerned about is the combustion system that heats our homes and our water. A home is a very complicated set of systems that either work in harmony, as in a high-performance home, or potentially work against each other, creating dangerous situations.

Though the building science that creates the problem can be complicated, the resulting condition is relatively simple.

When atmospherically vented (low-efficiency) gas-burning appliances operate in a room that experiences a negative pressure, they have the potential to backdraft combustion by-products, such as carbon monoxide, into the room. What can create such a situation? Some factors are listed below:

  • Poorly sealed ductwork
  • Poorly designed duct sytems
  • The wind
  • Homeowners who change the duct system or block combustion air inlets.

Many low-performing homes have combustion air inlets, which are large ducts installed to provide outside air for the furnace and water heater. Unfortunately, combustion air inlets are often blocked by homeowners. Even when not restricted, they can be part of an airflow problem. High-performance builders bypass these situations by using sealed combustion appliances and paying close attention to the details of the homes they build.